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 Corporation™; 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 Brown’s then current hit "I Got the Feelin’". 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.
Even Though You've Gone
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Somehow some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up and start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Thinkin' 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
I depended on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me the way you did
You really let me down
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep livin' on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta move on, yeah
She's gone away, she's gone away
(She's gone away)
She's gone
Gotta keep movin' on
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(Even though you're gone)
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(I gotta keep movin' on)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
The Jackson 5's "Even Though You've Gone" is a melancholic song about moving on after losing someone you depended on. The lyrics show the singer's determination to find a way to keep going despite the pain they feel inside. They continue to sing, "Nothing's gonna stop me now" as they try to move forward.
The first stanza emphasizes the singer's determination to find a way to keep going, despite the loss they've experienced. They feel stronger with each passing moment, and they have the will to survive. The second stanza talks about how the singer must adjust their plans now that they are alone. They are making plans for one instead of two, and they know it will be a long time before they love again.
The chorus repeats the message of the song, "gotta find a way somehow, even though you're gone." The singer is haunted by memories of the person they lost, but they know they must move on to survive. The final stanza speaks directly to the person who left them, expressing hurt and betrayal, but ultimately asserting the singer's determination to keep moving forward.
Overall, "Even Though You've Gone" is a poignant and relatable song about loss and resilience. It speaks to the universal human experience of dealing with heartbreak and finding the strength to carry on.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta find a way somehow
I need to figure out how to move forward
Nothing's gonna stop me now
I'm determined to keep moving forward
Even though you're gone
Despite the fact that you're no longer with me
Things don't look as bad
The situation is starting to improve
As they did yesterday
Compared to earlier, things seem better
Even minute I get stronger
I'm getting stronger with each passing moment
Somehow some way
I don't know exactly how, but I'll make it happen
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I need to continue living my life
I got the will to survive
I have the strength to persevere
Even though I feel so bad
Even though I'm feeling really low
So bad inside
My emotions are really hurting me
All the plans I had
My future plans and goals
I've got to give them up and start anew
I need to let go of my old plans and make new ones
Making plans for one
I'm only making plans for myself now
Instead of making plans for two
I'm no longer planning things for both of us
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Moving forward, I will be focused on
Thinkin' 'bout myself
Thinking about my own needs and wants
It'll be a long, long time
It will take a while
Before I love somebody else
Before I open up to someone new
I depended on you for everything
I relied on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
I trusted you completely
How could you do me the way you did
How could you treat me so badly
You really let me down
You disappointed me immensely
Even though you're gone
Despite the fact that you're no longer with me
Gotta keep livin' on
I have to keep living my life
Gotta move on, yeah
I have to move on with my life
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's no longer with me
(She's gone away)
(She's no longer here)
She's gone
She's left
Gotta keep movin' on
I have to keep moving forward
Even though you're gone
Despite the fact that you're no longer with me
Even though you're gone
Despite the fact that you're no longer with me
Writer(s): Steve Mac, Karen Ann Poole
Contributed by Colton R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Piano Princess
LYRICS
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Even minute I get stronger
Somehow some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up and start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Thinkin' 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
I depended on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me the way you did
You really let me down
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep livin' on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta move on, yeah
ZGuapo33
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Even minute I get stronger
Somehow some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up and start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Thinkin' 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
I depended on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me the way you did
You really let me down
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep livin' on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta move on, yeah
She's gone away, she's gone away
(She's gone away)
She's gone
Gotta keep movin' on
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(Even though you're gone)
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(I gotta keep movin' on)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
crystal perry
As an MJ fan it’s cool to know that no matter how much I think I know his music, I’m still discovering new songs and sounds. Even though he’s gone🙏 Rest up, Big Mike. We love you ❤️
林寶劍
I love MJ very much !!
He is the best !!
He is my hero !!!
SVETLANA GNEZDILOVA
С ЭТИМИ ПЕСНЯМИ ОБРЕТАЕШЬ СПОКОЙСТВИЕ И МИР В ДУШЕ ! СПАСИБО МАЙКЛ !
moongirl
Как у нас с вами похожи чувства при прослушивании этой песни!! У меня такие же эмоции❤
Ileana Vicktoria
Michael is without a doubt the owner of the most beautiful voice!😢
A-Train
Yes, it's just different
JDCVideo
Oh my god this is gold. Michaels voice is pulling my heart strings. I love his teenage years, so raw, crisp and smooth. Chills!!!!!! The world needs MJ
HF Jackson
MJ's voice is unique ❤️
Gps Initiatives
Never seen such music phenomenal human. Michael Jackson, one of the finest things that hit this planet, from childhood to adulthood; he never paused playing, from childhood to adulthood, I never stopped being a fan RIP King of pop.
Belladamma
His voice... no words to describe that type of blessing, not to mention he’s so beautiful. ❤️