The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviat… Read Full Bio ↴The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known simply as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet from Gary, Indiana. The group, active from 1964 to 1990, regularly played from a repertoire of R&B, soul, funk, and later disco. Considered "one of the biggest phenomenons in pop music" during the early 1970s, the Jackson 5 are also notable for launching the career of their lead singer, the late Michael Jackson.
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.
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.
Get Ready )
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, girl
I can't get ready
Oh, girl
I can't get ready
No, no, no
I can't get ready
For losing you
Girl, I can't get ready
No, no, no
For losing you
Oh, can't get ready
No, girl for losing you
Losing you
Thought I had your love
In the palm of my hands
But I let it slip away from me, girl
And now you're happy with another guy
Someone who doesn't make you cry
(He doesn't make you cry)
And now it's got me shedding tears
Oh, girl, how I wish you were here
'Cause I can't get ready
No, for losing you
No, no, no
I can't get ready
Oh, girl, for losing you
No, no, no
Can't get ready
Oh, girl, for losing you
Losing you
Girl, I took your love for granted
I know, I know, I treated you so unkind
And now the shoe is on the other foot
And you don't even took a second look
You told me there would come a time
Oh, girl
It's really blowing my mind
'Cause I can't get ready
No, no, no, no, no, for losing you
Oh, can't get ready
For losing you
No, no, no
Can't get ready
For losing you
No, no, no, no, no, no
No, no, no little girl
Girl, I can't get ready
No, no, no for losing you
I can't get ready
No, no, no, no for losing you
Can't get ready
No, girl
For losing you
Losing you
Oh, I can't get ready
Oh, no, yeah
For losing you
I can't get ready
No, no, no for losing you
I can't get ready
Oh, girl
I can't get ready
No, no, no
I can't get ready
For losing you
Girl, I can't get ready
No, no, no
For losing you
Oh, can't get ready
No, girl for losing you
Losing you
Thought I had your love
In the palm of my hands
But I let it slip away from me, girl
And now you're happy with another guy
Someone who doesn't make you cry
(He doesn't make you cry)
And now it's got me shedding tears
Oh, girl, how I wish you were here
'Cause I can't get ready
No, for losing you
No, no, no
I can't get ready
Oh, girl, for losing you
No, no, no
Can't get ready
Oh, girl, for losing you
Losing you
Girl, I took your love for granted
I know, I know, I treated you so unkind
And now the shoe is on the other foot
And you don't even took a second look
You told me there would come a time
Oh, girl
It's really blowing my mind
'Cause I can't get ready
No, no, no, no, no, for losing you
Oh, can't get ready
For losing you
No, no, no
Can't get ready
For losing you
No, no, no, no, no, no
No, no, no little girl
Girl, I can't get ready
No, no, no for losing you
I can't get ready
No, no, no, no for losing you
Can't get ready
No, girl
For losing you
Losing you
Oh, I can't get ready
Oh, no, yeah
For losing you
I can't get ready
No, no, no for losing you
The Jackson 5's "Get Ready" is a song about heartbreak and regret. The lead singer is expressing how he can't get himself ready for losing the girl he loves. He is filled with sorrow and wishes she were here. He admits that he thought he had her love in the palm of his hands, but he let it slip away. Now, he's filled with jealousy, seeing her happy with another guy who doesn't make her cry. The man regrets taking her love for granted and treating her unkindly. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, he realizes that she tried to warn him that there would be a time when he would regret his mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, girl
The singer is addressing a girl who he is unable to get ready for.
I can't get ready
The singer is unable to mentally or emotionally prepare for the loss of the girl.
No, no, no
The singer is emphasizing that he absolutely cannot get ready for losing the girl.
For losing you
The reason the singer is unable to get ready is because he is going to lose the girl.
Thought I had your love
The singer believed he had the girl's love.
In the palm of my hands
The singer felt he had complete control over the girl's love.
But I let it slip away from me, girl
The singer lost the girl's love due to his own actions.
And now you're happy with another guy
The girl is now in a relationship with someone else and is happy.
Someone who doesn't make you cry
The girl's new partner treats her better than the singer did and doesn't make her cry.
(He doesn't make you cry)
The singer is repeating that the girl's new partner doesn't make her cry.
And now it's got me shedding tears
The situation has caused the singer to cry.
Oh, girl, how I wish you were here
The singer wishes the girl was with him instead of her new partner.
I took your love for granted
The singer didn't appreciate the girl's love while he had it.
I treated you so unkind
The singer didn't treat the girl well.
And now the shoe is on the other foot
The situation is now reversed and the singer is experiencing what the girl went through.
And you don't even took a second look
The girl is not interested in the singer anymore.
You told me there would come a time
The girl warned the singer that this would happen.
It's really blowing my mind
The situation is shocking to the singer.
Oh, no, yeah
The singer is expressing disbelief and distress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD HUTCH, WILLIE HUTCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@jasonsterling4129
We can sit and pretend that only Michael matters and not the rest of his brothers.
And let's be honest, a majority of you, who are praising Michael with a God like enthusiasm, were more likely the same ones who were bashing him, mocking him and dissing him, and making fun of him during the last years of his life, but now that he's gone, and has gotten bigger in years since his passing, it's cool now to openly and boldly praise him to no end. That's mainly out of guilt, as well as admiration. You don't appreciate gifts until you lose them.
But they ALL were successful TOGETHER. Michael's voice was simply the cherry on top. But just because his brothers didn't reach his level of fame and superstar status, DOES NOT give us the right or entitlement to dismiss them, write them off or think of them as less, or treat them like they don't really matter.
Because Michael himself said "Without his brothers at his side, he couldn't have done what he done". Michael basically said don't dismiss his brothers, so do as the King says, IF you're truly his fan and respect and love him. Remember ALL Original Members of The Jackson 5 were Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, which means they ALL ARE LEGENDS, REGARDLESS OF YOUR OPINIONS, and therefore ENTITLED to the upmost respect!
You may exercise your so called entitlement to dismiss them, but remember, you're disrespecting Michael and his roots of his legacy and his family and the hard work they put in to give you amazing music over the years.
@caroli_nnie
Ready or Not (Here I Come)
The Jackson 5
Gonna find you
And keep you happy
(Ready or not here I come)
(You can't hide)
Gonna love you
And make you love me
You can't run away
(You can't run away)
From this love I got, oh baby
(You can't run away)
Hey baby, 'cause I got a lot, yeah
Anywhere you go
My poor heart got to know, oh baby
Hey baby, you can't hide from my love, oh no
(Ready or not here I come)
Gonna find you
And keep you happy
(Ready or not here I come)
Gonna love you
And make you love me
Anywhere you go
My poor heart got to know
Oh baby, hey baby
You can't hide from my love, oh no
Yeah
Ready, get ready
Ready, get ready
(Ready or not here I come)
(You can't hide)
Gonna find you
And keep you happy
You better come on, baby, oh yeah, oh yeah
I'll make you happy
I'm gonna find you now, yeah
And I'll make you happy
Anywhere you hide now
Oh yeah, yeah
@MISSCOOLAH1
Lyrics:
Ready, get ready, yeah...
[Chorus]
Ready or not, here I come, you can't hide
Gonna find you and keep you happy
Ready or not, here I come, you can't hide
Gonna love you and make you love me
[Verse 1]
You can't run away
(you can't run away)
From this love I got, oh baby
(you can't run away)
Hey baby, 'cause I got a lot, yeah
Anywhere you go
(anywhere you go)
My poor heart got to know, oh baby
Hey baby, you can't hide from my love, oh no
[Chorus]
Ready or not, here I come, you can't hide
Gonna find you and keep you happy
Ready or not, here I come, you can't hide
Gonna love you and make you love me
[Verse 2]
Anywhere you go
(anywhere you go)
My poor heart got to know, oh baby, hey baby
You can't hide from my love, oh no, yeah yeah
Ready, get ready
Ready, get ready
[Chorus]
Ready or not, here I come, you can't hide
Gonna find you and keep you happy
Ready or not, here I come
you can't hide
You better come on, baby, oh yeah, oh yeah
Gonna find you and I'll make you happy
Ready or not, here I come
you can't hide
I'm gonna find you now, yeah
Gonna find you and I'll make you happy
Anywhere you hide now, oh yeah, yeah
@lnapjr76
Mike is without a doubt the greatest kid singer/talent ever. I've never heard a kid with this kind of vocal power, control, and delivery. He was truly amazing.
@Kemet3.0
No doubt!!!
@bakman1000
Best I ever heard!! Unbelievably Gifted!
@Kemet3.0
Also, the greatest talent period! Fifty straight years!
@Ihaveassbigtoes
The old michael is just so precious and sweet so is the older mikey but the younger michael is just so pure
@guilopesbh
😎👍
@ronniesnakehissiii9413
His eyes never changed. Big ol doe eyes
@RockyAllPurpose
Michael Jackson was so ahead of the game
@Zumifey
Hi
@katrinamoore1221
Absolutely Beautiful!!! Not too many people can remember nor appreciate the REAL Michael Jackson .