abc
The Jackson 5/The Jacksons Lyrics
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A buh-buh buh buh-buh
You went to school to learn, girl
Things you never, never knew before
Like I before E except after C
And why two plus two makes four
Now, now, now, I'm gonna teach you
All about love, dear
All about love
Sit yourself down, take a seat
All you gotta do is repeat after me
ABC
Easy as
One, two, three
Or simple as
Do re mi
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me girl
ABC
Easy as
One, two, three
Or simple as
Do re mi
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me
Come on, let me love you just a little bit
Come on, let me love you just a little bit
I'm a going to teach how to sing it out
Come on, come on, come on
Let me show you what it's all about
Reading, writing and arithmetic
Are the branches of the learning tree
But without the roots of love every day, girl
Your education ain't complete
T-T-T-Teacher's gonna show you
Show you, show you
How to get an A
Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah
Spell "me" "you"
Add the two
Listen to me baby, that's all you gotta do
Oh, ABC
As easy as
One, two, three
Or simple as
Do re mi
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me girl
ABC
It's easy
It's like counting up to three (One, two, three)
Sing a simple melody (Do re mi, ABC)
That's how easy love can be
Sit down, girl
I think I love you
No
Get up, girl
Show me what you can do
Shake it, shake it, baby, come on now
Shake it, shake it, baby, ooh ooh
Shake it shake it, baby, huh
One, two, three, baby, ooh ooh
ABC, baby, nah nah
Do re mi, baby, huh
That's how easy love can be
ABC, it's easy
It's like counting up to three (One, two, three)
Sing a simple melody (Do re mi, ABC)
That's how easy love can be
(I'm not gonna teach you how to sing it out)
Come on come on come on let me show you what it's all about
ABC, it's easy
It's like counting up to three (One, two, three)
Sing a simple melody (Do re mi, ABC)
That's how easy love can be
(I'm not gonna teach you how to sing it out)
Sing it out, sing it, sing it, sing it
Oh baby, ABC, it's easy
It's like counting up to three (One, two, three)
Sing a simple melody (Do re mi, ABC)
That's how easy love can be
The Jackson 5's "ABC" is a classic song about love being as easy as one, two, three. It starts off with the refrain "a buh-buh buh buh-buh" which serves as both an introduction to the song and the Jackson 5's signature call-and-response style. The lyrics speak directly to a girl who is just beginning to learn things (such as "I before E except after C" and that "two plus two makes four") and is now being taught about love.
The main verses of the song are incredibly catchy and playful, encouraging the girl to sit down and listen carefully as she repeats after the singer. The chorus is all about how loving someone can be as easy as simple melodies and counting up to three. The upbeat rhythm and fun lyrics make this song a feel-good tune that will make anyone dance.
Overall, "ABC" is a joyful and unforgettable song that speaks to the simple pleasures of life, like learning and loving.
Line by Line Meaning
A buh-buh buh buh-buh
Introduction to the song with vocalizations
You went to school to learn, girl
Addressing the girl who went to school to gain knowledge
Things you never, never knew before
Implying that she lacked understanding prior to going to school
Like I before E except after C
Referencing a common spelling rule taught in school
And why two plus two makes four
Mentioning basic arithmetic taught in school
Now now now, I'm gonna teach you
Emphasizing the intent to teach
All about love, dear
Shifting the focus of the lesson to the topic of love
All about love
Repeating the earlier statement to reinforce the idea
Sit yourself down, take a seat
Instructing the girl to sit and get ready to learn
All you gotta do is repeat after me
Making the lesson easy to follow with repetition
ABC
Introducing the simple concept of the alphabet
Easy as
Stating how simple the lesson is
One, two, three
Using numbers to further simplify the concept
Or simple as
Repeating the phrase to emphasize simplicity
Do re mi
Referring to the basic musical notes also taught in school
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me girl!
Combining the concepts of the alphabet and numbers with a romantic tone
Come on, let me love you just a little bit!
Adding a playful romantic element to the song
I'm a going to teach how to sing it out!
Focusing on vocalization and music
Michael, come on, come on, come on
Addressing Michael Jackson to join in the learning
Let me show you what it's all about!
Encouraging Michael to join in and learn
Reading, writing and arithmetic
Listing the core subjects taught in school
Are the branches of the learning tree
Comparing education to a tree with multiple branches
But without the roots of love every day, girl
Implying the importance of love as the foundation to education
Your education ain't complete
Stating how love is crucial to complete education
T-T-T-Teacher's gonna show you
Introducing the teacher again to guide the lesson
How to get an A!
Focusing on academic achievement
Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah!
Vocalizing a playful taunt
Spell "me" "you"
Challenging the girl to spell the two simple words
Add the two!
Guiding the girl to add the two words together
Listen to me baby, that's all you gotta do!
Emphasizing the simplicity of the task
Oh, ABC
Reintroducing the alphabet concept
As easy as
Stating the simplicity again
One, two, three
Repeating the use of numbers for simplification
Baby, you and me girl!
Adding a romantic tone again
It's easy,
Repeating the simplicity of the lesson
It's like counting up to three (One, two, three)
Comparing to the ease of counting to three
Sing a simple melody (Do re mi, ABC)
Incorporating the musical notes again
That's how easy love can be!
Linking the simplicity of the lesson to love again
Sit down, girl!
Encouraging the girl to relax and listen
I think I love you!
Adding humor and romance to the song again
No!
Rejecting any advances the girl may make
Get up, girl!
Encouraging the girl to join in and dance
Show me what you can do!
Challenging the girl to show her dance moves
Shake it, shake it, baby, come on now!
Encouraging the girl to dance and shake it
Shake it, shake it, baby, ooh ooh!
Adding more encouragement to keep dancing
Shake it shake it, baby, huh!
Continuing to motivate with a playful tone
One, two, three, baby, ooh ooh!
Incorporating the counting and romance again
ABC, baby, nah nah!
Repeating the alphabet concept with added vocalizations
Do re mi, baby, huh!
Adding the musical notes again
That's how easy love can be.
Closing the song with the simplicity of love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Berry Gordy, Dennis Lussier, Alphonzo Mizell, Freddie Perren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind