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.
Goin' Places
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I want to go
To a different land
Try my best
The different traditions
And customs
That people have
The world is bigger
Than this ole town
I want to get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
And I'm leavin' here today
Cause
[Chorus]
I want to get
A first class seat
Climbing so high
Up to forty thousand feet
It don't take long
To get where you want to go
I'm gonna have myself a ball
This ole world I want to see it all
I got my clothes packed
And I'm leaving right away
[Chorus]
The Jackson 5's song "Goin' Places" is all about the excitement and anticipation of travel. The lyrics are about wanting to explore different lands and cultures and the thrill of riding in a jet. The opening line of the chorus, "I like the feelin' I get when I'm ridin' in a jet," sets the tone for the entire song. The joy of travel is a recurring theme throughout the song, as the lyrics talk about the desire to see the world and the excitement of finally being able to travel.
The verses talk about wanting to explore a different land and understand the different traditions and customs that people have. The lines "The world is bigger than this ole town/I want to get my feet up off the ground" show a desire for something more than just the usual routine of everyday life. The lyrics also mention "saved up my money and I'm leavin' here today", which indicates the dedication and effort required to travel and see the world.
The lyrics of "Goin' Places" are simple yet effective in conveying the excitement of travel. The upbeat and enthusiastic tone of the music and vocals adds to the overall energy of the song. It's a song that encourages listeners to get out of their comfort zones and explore the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I like the feelin' I get
I enjoy the sensation I experience
When I'm ridin' in a jet
While traveling in a plane
Say I'm goin' places
It means I am traveling
I want to go
I have a desire to travel
To a different land
To a foreign country
Try my best
Do everything possible
To understand
To comprehend and appreciate
The different traditions
The distinct customs and practices
And customs
As well as the unique ways of life
That people have
That different individuals and communities possess
The world is bigger
Planet Earth is more extensive
Than this ole town
Than just one particular locality
I want to get my feet up
I desire to lift my feet
Off the ground
To be airborne
I've saved up my money
I have accumulated adequate funds
And I'm leavin' here today
I am departing from this present location as soon as possible
I want to get
I am desirous of obtaining
A first class seat
An expensive and luxury mode of transportation
Climbing so high
Ascending to great heights
Up to forty thousand feet
Reaching an elevation of 12 kilometers
It don't take long
It is a quick and efficient means of travel
To get where you want to go
To reach your desired destination
I'm gonna have myself a ball
I shall have an enjoyable time
This ole world I want to see it all
I yearn to explore the entirety of the globe
I got my clothes packed
I have prepared my baggage
And I'm leaving right away
I am departing immediately
[Chorus]
Repetition of previous stanza
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edith-Jean Nally
"Goin' Places"
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I want to go
To a different land
Try my best
To understand
The different traditions
And customs
That people have
The world is bigger
Than this ole town
I wanna get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
And I'm leavin' here today
'Cause....
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I want to get
A first class seat
Climbing to a high of forty feet
It don't take long
To get where you wanna go
I'm gonna have myself a ball
This ole world I wanna see it all
I got my clothes packed
And I'm leaving right away
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
Tensai
I like the feelin I get
When I'm ridin in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm ridin in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I want to go
To a different land
Try my best
To understand
The different traditions
And customs
That people have, yeah
The world is bigger
Than this old town
I want to get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
I'm leavin here today
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I want to get
A first class seat
Climbing so high up to forthy thousand feet
It don't take long
To get where I want to go, yeah
I'm gonna have myself a ball
This ole world I want to see it all
I got my clothes packed
I'm leavin right away
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin, goin, goin, goin
The world is bigger
Than this ole town
I want to get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
I'm leavin right away
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin, goin, goin, goin
Goin, goin, goin, goin
Ad libs
(New York, look out here we come)
Here we, here we come, yeah
(Detroit, look out here we come)
Detroit, here we come
(D.C., look out here we come)
D.C., look out here we come
(L.A., look out here we come)
L.A., look out here we come
(Houston, look out here we come)
Houston, look out here we come
(Chicago, Philadelphia)
Gary, Indiana
(I say we're going across the water)
Going across the water
(Going across the water)
Going, goin, goin places
(Japan, look out here come)
Come on, yeah
(England, look out here we come)
England
(Scotland, look out here we come)
Look out, look out here we come
(I say Philippines)
Yes, indeed
(Russia, China, goin to Africa)
Going across the water
Going across the water, yeah
First class sit
I'm gonna see it all
Get it on
Enjoy the lyrics😊
Burguenline
I dont get tired of saying: best voice ever, best singer ever, best entertainer ever, best artist ever, and a great human being. miss you Michael .
DYNASTY
And best dancer and songwriter!
Musiclover60
YOU FORGOT TO ADD BEST GROUP THE JACKSONS WASN'T ALL ABOUT MIKE IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE BROTHERS AS A UNIT.
Juliana P.D.
@Musiclover60 I agree 👏🏻
D Glorious
Yes, well said. 💯🙂
Natasha Naome Gapare
Amen
Leroy Jnr
Love watching him in these times. Full of life and energy. Love love love him and the days of the jacksons.
Sm K
Yeah
Miss him a lot 😢 😪....
Musiclover60
There is no him it's them The Jacksons
Leroy Jnr
@Musiclover60 There is a 'him' and he was a part of The Jacksons. As HE is no longer with us, I wanted to single HIM out.