The ballad was originally supposed to have been sung (possibly in a different production) by Sammy Davis, Jr. but for various reasons, the entertainer could not get on the schedule to do the song and the song was then given to the Jackson 5. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Maybe Tomorrow" was included on the Jackson 5's album of the same title, and was later sampled by rapper Ghostface Killah on his 1996 song "All That I Got Is You".
Maybe Tomorrow
Jackson 5 Lyrics
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Up in the heavenly sky
I only know my heaven is here on earth
Each time you look into my eyes
The way you do, baby
Thank you, thank you, baby
My beautiful bird, you have flown away
I can see
You're all I need to get by
No one else can make me cry
The way you do, baby
You are the book that I read each day
You are the song that I sing
Gonna sing it to you
You are the four seasons of my life
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
(Maybe tomorrow)
Babe, you're all I need to get by
No one else can make me cry
The way you do, baby
'Cause you are the book that I read each day
You are the song that I sing
(Gonna sing it to you)
You are the four seasons of my life
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
You are the book that I read each day
(Sing it, sing it, sing it, yeah), you are the song that I sing
(Sing it , sing it, sing it, yeah), you are the four seasons of my life
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
You are the book that I read each day, yeah
You are the song that I sing
(Gonna sing it to you)
You are the four seasons of my life
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
(Oh) oh (baby), baby, I need you
You are the song that I sing
You are the four seasons of my life
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
(You are the song that I sing)
Maybe Tomorrow by Jackson 5 is a romantic ballad about the uncertainty of love. The song opens with a sense of wonder as the singer reflects on the vastness of the universe before declaring that their heaven is here on earth each time their lover looks into their eyes. The singer then expresses their regret at holding their lover too tightly, causing them to fly away like a bird. They acknowledge that no one else can make them cry the way their lover does, and that they are the book they read each day and the song they sing. The singer concludes the song by admitting that maybe their lover will change their mind and come back to their arms tomorrow.
The lyrics of Maybe Tomorrow are a testament to the power of love and the pain that comes with losing it. The song reflects on how the vastness of the universe can make love feel small and insignificant, while also acknowledging that love is the most important thing in the world. The image of the lover flying away like a bird is a poignant metaphor for the freedom that comes with love, as well as its fragility.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how many stars there are
Up in the heavenly sky
I don't know the extent of the wonders of Heaven, but I know that I have found a heaven here on Earth.
I only know my heaven is here on earth
Each time you look into my eyes
My ultimate happiness and satisfaction is found in one thing - each time you look into my eyes. That's my paradise.
The way you do, baby
Thank you, thank you, baby
The joy and contentment in my heart are solely because of you, and I am grateful to have you.
My beautiful bird, you have flown away
I held you too tight
I can see
I know that I lost you by holding on too tight, and now I regret it.
You're all I need to get by
No one else can make me cry
The way you do, baby
My love for you is enough to sustain me, and no one else has the power to hurt me the way you do.
You are the book that I read each day
You are the song that I sing
Gonna sing it to you
You are the four seasons of my life
You are everything to me. You are the story that I live each day, the music that I enjoy, the reason for my every season.
But maybe tomorrow
You'll change your mind, girl
Maybe tomorrow
You'll come back to my arms, girl
Perhaps my heartache will end tomorrow and you will change your mind and come rushing back into my arms.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind