The primary members of the group were all the sons of Katherine and Joseph Jackson: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Randy Jackson. Joseph Jackson formed the band in 1964 and served as its manager, with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and unrelated youths Reynaud Jones and Milton Hite comprising its original lineup. Within a year, Michael and Marlon joined the band, and Michael became lead singer as the group developed a following in the eastern and midwestern United States during the mid-1960s. Signed to the Motown label from 1969 to 1975, and to CBS Records (as "The Jacksons") from 1975 until their disbanding in 1990, the Jackson 5 were one of the most popular groups of the era and became the first recording act to have their first four major label singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There) reach the top of the American charts. Several future singles, among them "Mama's Pearl", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine", were Top 5 pop hits and number-one hits on the R&B singles chart. Most of the early hits were written and produced by a specialized songwriting team known as The Corporationβ’; later Jackson 5 hits were crafted chiefly by Hal Davis.
While not the first act considered a "boy band", The Jackson 5 is one of the earliest examples of the type as it is defined today: five adolescents specifically packaged and marketed by a record label for crossover pop success. Upon their departure from Motown for CBS in 1975, the Jacksons, were forced to change their name and trade Jermaine (who remained at Motown) for Randy. The group took control of their songwriting, production, and image, and their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "State of Shock", and a highly successful 1984 Victory tour. The Jacksons officially disbanded in 1990.
History
Early works
The Jacksons were a working-class family from Gary, Indiana. Katherine, being a Jehovah's Witness, raised the children as such, while their father, Joe, was not of that faith. Their father, a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B band called "The Falcons" with his brother Luther, was a strict disciplinarian. Many of the Jackson children recall being severely beaten by Joe for misbehaving.
The children found an outlet in music, with elder brothers Jackie (born Sigmund Esco Jackson, 1951), Tito (born Toriano Jackson, 1953), and Jermaine (b. 1954) borrowing their father's guitar without his permission and playing along to the radio. Younger brothers Marlon (b. 1957) and Michael (b. 1958) were allowed to watch as long as they did not tell. Joseph eventually discovered that the older three boys were playing his guitar when one of the strings broke[2]. Although he was furious at first, Joseph realized the boys had talent and began making plans to create a musical act for them.
In 1965, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine began performing around the Gary area with two neighborhood children, Milford Hite (on drums) and Reynaud Jones (on keyboards), in a group called The Jackson Brothers. Joe Jackson served as the manager, at first only part-time, and then eventually quitting his job at the steel mill. Jermaine sang lead and played bass, and Tito played guitar.
In 1966, younger brothers Marlon and Michael, joined the group as its tambourine and bongo players. Already showing talent as a singer and dancer[3], Michael replaced Jermaine as lead vocalist by mid-1967. Shirley Cartman, Tito's junior high orchestra teacher, noticed the group's talents and served as an early mentor to the group, by then calling itself The Jackson Five.
During this period, the boys toured Indiana extensively, and after winning a major local talent show in 1966 with a rendition of The Temptations' "My Girl", led by Michael, they began playing professional gigs in Chicago, Illinois and across the mid-eastern U.S. Many of these gigs were in a string of black clubs and venues collectively known as the "chitlin' circuit", and the young kids sometimes had to open for strip teasers and other adult acts in order to earn money.
Shirley Cartman got the Jackson Five a record deal with Gordon Keith's local Steeltown label, and the group began making their first recordings in 1967. Their first single, "Big Boy", became a regional hit. During this period, Johnny Jackson (no relation) on drums and Ronnie Rancifer on keys replaced Milford Hite and Reynaud Jones.
The Jackson Five had a number of admirers in their early days, including Sam & Dave, who helped the group secure a spot in the famous Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The group won the August 13, 1967 competition during the Amateur Night showdown at the Apollo, impressing Motown Records artist Gladys Knight of The Pips. Knight recommended the group to Motown chief Berry Gordy, but Gordy, who already had teenager Stevie Wonder on his roster, was hesitant to take on another child act because of the child labor laws and other problems involved.
The Jackson Five's sound was influenced by many of the biggest stars of the 1960s, especially including family funk bands Sly & the Family Stone and The Isley Brothers, soul pioneer Marvin Gaye, doo-wop boy band Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, and soul shouters like Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown [4]. At the time of their early success, soul and funk stars, especially coming from Motown Records, were among the most popular musicians; Motown had launched the careers of dozens of the decade's biggest stars, most notably Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Diana Ross & the Supremes.
Influences
From these sources, The Jackson Five developed many of their vocal arrangement styles and dance movements. The group's multi-lead vocal style was inspired by that of The Family Stone, while young Michael adapted Jackie Wilson and James Brown's impassioned singing and dancing styles into his own.
Joining Motown
By 1968, the Jackson 5 were a headlining act for the All Star Floor Show at Chicago's The Guys' and Gals' Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant. From July 12 - 27, 1968, the Jackson 5 opened for Motown group Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers at Chicago's Regal Theater. Taylor was also very impressed with the boys, and he decided to make the commitment to bring them to Detroit and Motown. Joseph and the Jackson Five stayed on the floor of Bobby Taylor's Detroit apartment the night of July 22, while Taylor and Motown executive Suzanne de Passe arranged for the Jackson Five to audition for the label.
On July 23, the Jackson Five had their Motown audition, for which they performed James Brownβs then current hit "I Got the Feelinβ". Berry Gordy was not in attendance, but the audition was videotaped and sent to him in Los Angeles. Gordy's initial reluctance to sign the group disappeared when he finally saw the boys perform. Gordy decided to sign the Jackson Five to Motown, and hosted a party at his Detroit mansion on November 25, 1968 to introduce them to the Motown staff and stars.
Motown began negotiations to buy out the Jackson Five's Steeltown contract, completing the deal in March 1969. By the summer, Bobby Taylor began producing the group's first recordings at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. recording studio in Detroit. The early Taylor-produced Jackson Five records were all covers of both contemporary hits and Motown-standards, including Sly & the Family Stone's "Stand!" and their famous rendition of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", written by Smokey Robinson.
In mid-August 1969, Gordy moved the Jackson Five and Joseph to California, and he and Suzanne de Passe began the process of grooming them as the label's next big act, while the rest of the family remained in Gary. While looking for a house in California, Joseph, Jermaine, Tito, and Jackie lived with Berry Gordy, while Michael and Marlon lived with Motown star Diana Ross.
Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Merry Christmas everybody, big deal
Hey man, what's wrong with you Jermaine?
Yeah, that's no kind of attitude
This only happens once a year
Hey, fellas, don't bug him
He and his girl just broke up, so get off his back
Yeah, he's cryin', look he's cryin'
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Christmas won't be the same this year
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, it won't now darlin', no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
I see the lights
But they don't shine for me
I see the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
Our house decorated
My friends are celebrating
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it won't be the same this year)
Christmas won't be the same this year (the things we used to do, my darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it's all over)
The neighborhood kids
Are having so much fun
Counting off the days
'Til Santa Claus comes
And I see the Mistletoe
Hanging from my door
I wish I could kiss you again
Like I did before
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (yeah, yeah)
So, go on girl
And have your fun
Don't spoil your time
Thinkin' about me
This time next year
My darling dear
Hopefully, you'll be having dinner with me
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
Christmas won't be the same this year (without you, darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
(Christmas won't be the same this year) (without you, darling)
The Jackson 5's "Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year" is a sentimental song about heartbreak during the holiday season. The song describes the pain of losing someone and the reminder of that loss during the holiday season which is supposed to be full of joy and warmth. The song is delivered in a conversational style with the members of the band discussing a member who is feeling down.
The first few lyrics reveal the disconnection between members who are joyful for the season and a member who is feeling down due to a recent breakup. When asked to cheer up, he expresses how he feels about his loss, and the song goes into detail about the many memories of the holiday the couple had shared before, including kissing under the mistletoe. The song ends with a heartbreaking hope, that the next Christmas the couple would celebrate together.
The song utilizes the holiday season as a way to convey a feeling of loss and heartbreak, rather than the typical themes of joy and togetherness. This emotional resonance contributed to the song becoming a holiday classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Merry Christmas everybody
Greeting everyone on Christmas day
Yeah, Merry Christmas everybody, big deal
Expressing sarcasm and a lack of excitement for the holiday
Hey man, what's wrong with you Jermaine?
Asking Jermaine why he is upset
Yeah, that's no kind of attitude
Advising Jermaine to change his attitude
This only happens once a year
Reminding everyone that Christmas is a rare occasion
Hey, fellas, don't bug him
Asking the others to leave Jermaine alone
He and his girl just broke up, so get off his back
Explaining Jermaine's current emotional state
Can't you see there's tears in his eyes?
Pointing out Jermaine's visible sadness
Yeah, he's cryin', look he's cryin'
Confirming Jermaine's crying
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Encouraging Jermaine to stop crying
Christmas won't be the same this year
Expressing how different and difficult Christmas will be without Jermaine's ex-girlfriend
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
Describing how much Jermaine misses his ex-girlfriend's embrace
I see the lights
Observing the Christmas decorations
But they don't shine for me
Feeling disconnected from the cheer around him
I see the presents
Noticing the wrapped gifts
Underneath the Christmas tree
Identifying where the presents are located
Our house decorated
Referring to the festive decorations in his home
My friends are celebrating
Noticing the joy of those around him
The neighborhood kids
Commenting on the excitement of children in the area
Are having so much fun
Describing how the kids are enjoying the holiday
Counting off the days
Anticipating the arrival of Christmas day
'Til Santa Claus comes
Waiting for Santa to deliver gifts
And I see the Mistletoe
Noticing the hanging mistletoe
Hanging from my door
Identifying the location of the mistletoe
I wish I could kiss you again
Expressing how much Jermaine misses his ex-girlfriend
Like I did before
Recalling a previous happy Christmas memory
So, go on girl
Encouraging the ex-girlfriend to move on
And have your fun
Wishing her a good time during the holiday
Don't spoil your time
Advising her not to dwell on their breakup
Thinkin' about me
Acknowledging that she may still have feelings for him
This time next year
Looking ahead to the possibility of a better future
My darling dear
Using a term of endearment for his ex-girlfriend
Hopefully, you'll be having dinner with me
Expressing hope for reconciliation in the future
No, no
Repeating the sentiment that the holiday won't be the same without her
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
Reiterating how much Jermaine misses his ex-girlfriend's embrace
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLORIA JONES, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
h.π§Έ
β‘ Lyrics :
Merry Christmas everybody
Yeah, Merry Christmas everybody, big deal
Hey man, what's wrong with you Jermaine?
Yeah, that's no kind of attitude
This only happens once a year
Hey, fellas, don't bug him
He and his girl just broke up, so get off his back
Can't you see there's tears in his eyes?
Yeah, he's cryin', look he's cryin'
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Christmas won't be the same this year
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, it won't now darlin', no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
I see the lights
But they don't shine for me
I see the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
Our house decorated
My friends are celebrating
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it won't be the same this year)
Christmas won't be the same this year (the things we used to do, my darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it's all over)
The neighborhood kids
Are having so much fun
Counting off the days
'Til Santa Claus comes
And I see the Mistletoe
Hanging from my door
I wish I could kiss you again
Like I did before
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (yeah, yeah)
So, go on girl
And have your fun
Don't spoil your time
Thinkin' about me
This time next year
My darling dear
Hopefully, you'll be having dinner with me
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
Christmas won't be the same this year (without you, darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
(Christmas won't be the same this year) (without you, darling)
jrrusty
Merry Christmas everybody
Yeah, Merry Christmas everybody, big deal
Hey man, what's wrong with you Jermaine?
Yeah, that's no kind of attitude
This only happens once a year
Hey, fellas, don't bug him
He and his girl just broke up, so get off his back
Can't you see there's tears in his eyes?
Yeah, he's cryin', look he's cryin'
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry
Christmas won't be the same this year
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, it won't now darlin', no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near
I see the lights
But they don't shine for me
I see the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
Our house decorated
My friends are celebrating
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it won't be the same this year)
Christmas won't be the same this year (the things we used to do, my darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (it's all over)
The neighborhood kids
Are having so much fun
Counting off the days
'Til Santa Claus comes
And I see the Mistletoe
Hanging from my door
I wish I could kiss you again
Like I did before
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (yeah, yeah)
So, go on girl
And have your fun
Don't spoil your time
Thinkin' about me
This time next year
My darling dear
Hopefully, you'll be having dinner with me
Christmas won't be the same this year (no, no)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
Christmas won't be the same this year (without you, darling)
Without her loving arms, holding you so near (no, no, no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)
(Christmas won't be the same this year) (without you, darling)
Gary Scott
THIS IS THE MOST COMPLETE AND BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF ALL TIMES. NOT ONLY DOES IT HAVE BEAUTIFUL BALLADS AND UPTEMPO OF STANDARDS, BUT ALSO THEIR VERY OWN CLASSICS,AS WELL. JERMAINE PROVED THAT HE ALSO HAD A WONDERFUL TALENT TO LEND TO THE FAMILY,AS WELL..
Eric Thomas
I agree 100% GREATNESS Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!
Lovejazz01
My childhood Christmas every year, and every year I go back when I hear the Jackson 5 Christmas! πππ π½, Happy Holidays 2019!
Beverly Davis
Me tooπ₯°π₯°π₯°π₯°...Happy Holidays 2021!!!!πβοΈπβοΈ
Joseph Robinson 3rd
I TELL U JERMAINE JACKSON ALWAYS HAD A SMOOTH SOULFUL VIOCE . THAT COULD TAKE A TRACK TO A HIGHER LEVEL π€« QUIET AS KEPT. HE TOOK LEAD π€ ON QUITE A FEW MOTOWN CLASIC HITS !! (UNFORGETTABLE)
Sherry Goode
I grew up with the Jackson 5 and the Christmas album came out when I was 7 years old. I still remember all the songs. Christmas time didn't start until Mommy pull the album out and us kids would dance our routines and sing. What fun we had. I miss those times but I still have the best memories forever and ever.
Punch
Totally agree with you
Musiclover60
I was eight years old when this hot Christmas album came out?I still have my original first copy which of course is unplayable because i wore the grooves out,I have it on CD.
Can you believe that this album is 51 yrs old now?
Sherry Goode
@Musiclover60 Are you kidding. Wow how time flies. Have a great holiday.
Keith Witcher
The Jackson 5 Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year song is a classic. The Jackson 5 christmas album is a classic. I like the album cover. RIP Michael Jackson. I like The Jackson 5.