I Want You Back
Michael Jackson & The Jacksons Five Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uh-huh, huh, huh
Just let me tell you now
Uh-huh

When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch, one glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me to take a second look

Oh, baby, give me one more chance (to show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me back in your heart
Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go (let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms (I want you back)
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
Na, na, na, na

Trying to live without your love is one long sleepless night
Let me show you, girl, that I know wrong from right
Every street you walk on, I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl I didn't even want around
Let me tell you now

Oh, baby, all I need is one more chance (to show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me back in your heart
Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go (let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms, uh-huh

Ah, buh bum, bum, bum
Ah, buh bum, bum, bum
All I want
Ah, buh bum, bum, bum
All I need
Ah, buh bum, bum, bum
All I want
Ah, buh bum, bum, bum
All I need

Oh, just one more chance to show that I love you
Baby (baby)
Baby (baby)
Baby (baby)

(I want you back)
Forget what happened then (I want you back)
Let me live again

Oh, baby, I was blind to let you go
But now since I see you in his arms
(I want you back)

Spare me of this cause
Get back what I lost

Oh, baby, I need one more chance, ha
I tell ya that I love you
Baby (oh), baby (oh), baby (oh)




I want you back, ha
I want you back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael Jackson & The Jacksons Five's song "I Want You Back" express the singer's realization that their significant other has changed and is no longer interested in the relationship. The singer has a feeling that their partner is bored with them and has lost the passion and love for them. The change is evident in the way the partner looks at them, kisses them, and talks to them. The singer has the feeling that their partner has forgotten the three magical words "I love you," and they are no longer the angel they once knew. The singer accepts that the relationship is over and that there is no need to explain or make excuses for what has happened.


Despite the heartbreaking message in the lyrics, the song is an upbeat, funky tune that has become a classic. The melody and rhythm compel people to dance and sing along, making it a favorite at parties and gatherings. The song has a timeless quality to it that has stood the test of time and continues to be popular even forty years after its release. Michael Jackson's soulful voice and the Jacksons Five's harmonization elevate the song to another level.


The song's lyrics were written by Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, and Deke Richards, with Motown Records releasing it in 1969. The song became a massive hit, entering the billboard Hot 100 chart and staying there for fifteen weeks, reaching number one. The song's success catapulted The Jacksons Five to international stardom, making them the youngest group to have a number one hit on the Hot 100.


Line by Line Meaning

I've an awfully funny feeling that this thought
I have a strong intuition that this idea


That's been a-stealin' through my brain
That has been gradually occupying my mind


Is not to be ignored
Cannot be overlooked


But to really tell the truth, though I'm not a
To be completely honest, even though I'm not an


Well-known sleuth
Famous detective


I honestly believe that you are bored
I truly think that you are uninterested


You've changed
You are different now


That sparkle in your eyes is gone
The brightness in your eyes has faded away


Your smile is just a careless yawn
Your smile is now casual and uninterested


You're breaking my heart
You are hurting my feelings


Your kisses now are so blase
Your kisses are now dull and unexciting


You're bored with me in every way
You are uninterested in me in every aspect


I can't understand
I cannot comprehend


You've forgotten the words "I love you"
You no longer say "I love you"


Each memory that we've shared
Every moment that we cherished together


You ignore every star above you
You do not appreciate the beauty around you


I can't realize you ever cared
I cannot believe that you ever had feelings for me


You're not the angel I once knew
You are not the perfect person I thought you were


No need to tell me that we're through
There's no reason for you to announce that we're done


It's all over now
Our relationship has ended


You've changed
You have transformed into someone else




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@karlklein2966

The joy and innocence in his eyes just breaks my heart. He had no idea how brutal the music industry was.

@jaycuthbert245

Don't get it twisted brother regardless of the twinkle in his eyes it's a reality just how even young Michael suffered and was abused tremendously by the hands of daddy Joseph. Which o definately contributed to his strange and unorthodox ways as an adults as he was STOLEN of his childhood

@cheydinal5401

Yes he did, their father constantly beat them into being perfect entertainers and such

@thermn8r

He definitely already knew

@ludvig3242

More like his own family

@HelloShitty08

He absolutely did. His father made sure.

87 More Replies...

@Aircronix

Imagine a 10 year old sounding better than most artist today

@philmstud2k

And dressing better

@micahbell3029

@@philmstud2k agreed

@Free5tarr

Dogged

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