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.
IT’S GREAT TO BE HERE
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be back in your arms
Thank you, baby, thank you, baby
Back where I belong
Oh, I went out to do my thing
And I was totally rejected
I put you down for love unknown
So frightened and confused
I came running back to you
I got right down on my knees
And said darling, won't you please
I don't know why you did it
But I'm not too proud to admit it, baby
Thank you, baby, thank you, baby
It's great to be here, oooh
It's great to be here in your arms
Back where I belong.
Adventure grabbed my heart
And took me away from you, honey
I met all kinds of pretty girls
In every town that I passed through
But that fiery senorita
Burned me down in Mexico
And I got kisses cold as ice
From my Alaskan Eskimo
I feel guilty and ashamed
But I'm gonna say it just the same, baby
Thank you, baby, thank you, baby, yeah
It's great to be here, oooh
It's great to be here in your arms
Now yes says senorita
She gave me I'll just si ya!
While kissing in the igloo
My Eskimo said no no!
Yeah, baby
So glad, so glad, so glad
To be back in your arms
It's great to be here
It's great to be here in your arms
Baby, baby, baby, baby, ow!
It's great to be here, oooh
It's great to be here in your arms, yeah
It's great to be here in your arms
Baby, baby, baby, baby, yeah
The Jackson 5's song "It's Great to Be Here" is a love song about the singer expressing his gratitude for being back in the arms of his lover. The singer in the song had gone out into the world to pursue his own interests and found out that his admirers did not meet his expectations. He felt alone, scared, and confused and ultimately, came back to his lover. The experience made him realize that he took for granted the love he had with his lover and he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
The song's narrative describes a journey of self-discovery and growth. The singer's decision to pursue his interests, even if it led him away from his lover, demonstrates his willingness to take risks and make mistakes. However, the experiences he had along the way taught him to appreciate the love he shared with his lover. The song conveys the idea that sometimes, taking chances can lead to heartbreak, but it's through those experiences that we learn to appreciate the people and things that matter to us the most.
Line by Line Meaning
So glad, so glad, so glad
The singer expresses his happiness and gratitude for being back in the arms of his loved one.
To be back in your arms
The singer is grateful for reuniting with his loved one and feeling the comfort of their embrace.
Thank you, baby, thank you, baby
The singer expresses his appreciation to his loved one for accepting him back into their life after he strayed.
Back where I belong
The artist feels that being with his loved one is where he was always meant to be.
Oh, I went out to do my thing
The artist left his loved one behind to pursue his own interests and desires.
And I was totally rejected
The singer's attempts to find love elsewhere were met with rejection and disappointment.
I put you down for love unknown
The singer underestimated the love and devotion his loved one had for him, taking it for granted.
But it wasn't what I expected
The artist's expectations were not met by the experience of seeking love elsewhere.
So frightened and confused
The artist is scared and uncertain about his future after being rejected.
I came running back to you
The artist quickly returned to his loved one, seeking comfort and familiarity.
I got right down on my knees
The singer shows remorse for his actions and is willing to humble himself to seek forgiveness.
And said darling, won't you please
The artist humbly asks his loved one to take him back, showing his vulnerability.
I don't know why you did it
The singer is unsure why his loved one forgave him and took him back.
But I'm not too proud to admit it, baby
The singer acknowledges his mistake and is willing to own up to it to make things right.
It's great to be here, oooh
The singer expresses his happiness and gratitude for being back with his loved one.
Adventure grabbed my heart
The artist was tempted by adventure and allowed it to take him away from his loved one.
And took me away from you, honey
The artist willingly left his loved one behind to pursue adventure.
I met all kinds of pretty girls
The singer encountered many attractive women during his travels.
In every town that I passed through
The singer traveled through many different places, encountering new people and experiences.
But that fiery senorita
The artist had a passionate encounter with a woman in Mexico.
Burned me down in Mexico
The artist's encounter with the fiery senorita resulted in heartbreak and upset.
And I got kisses cold as ice
The artist had another unsatisfying encounter with a woman, this time in Alaska.
From my Alaskan Eskimo
The singer encountered a woman in Alaska who was uninterested in him.
I feel guilty and ashamed
The artist regrets his actions and the hurt he caused his loved one.
But I'm gonna say it just the same, baby
The singer wants to be honest about his experiences and is willing to admit to his mistakes.
Now yes says senorita
The singer encounters another woman in his travels, this time a senorita.
She gave me I'll just si ya!
The senorita was receptive to the singer's advances and seemed interested in him.
While kissing in the igloo
The artist had an encounter with a woman in an igloo, likely referring to a romantic encounter in a cold, isolated place.
My Eskimo said no no!
The artist also encountered another woman, an Eskimo, who was not interested in him.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, ow!
The singer expresses his love and affection for his loved one.
It's great to be here in your arms, yeah
The singer expresses his happiness and gratitude for being back with his loved one and feeling the comfort of their embrace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALPHONSO MIZELL, ALPHONSO J MIZELL, BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, DEKE RICHARDS, DENNIS LUSSIER, FREDDIE PERREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jiji7234
Oh, I went out to do my thing
And I was totally rejected
I put you down for love unknown
But it wasn't what I expected
So frightened and confused
I came running back to you
I got right down on my knees
And said "Darling, won't you please"
I don't know why you did it
But I'm not too proud to admit it, baby
[Chorus: Jackson 5 + Michael]
Thank you, baby; thank you, baby
Back where I belong
It's great to be here, great to be here, oooh
It's great to be here in your arms
Back where I belong, woo
[Verse 2: Michael]
Adventure grabbed my heart
And took me away from you, honey
I met all kinds of pretty girls
In every town that I passed through
But that fiery senorita
Burned me down in Mexico
And I got kisses cold as ice
From my Alaskan Eskimo
I feel guilty and ashamed
But I'm gonna say it just the same, baby
@lancehawkins9240
THIS JOINT IS A CLASSIC!!! THE DJ's in late 70's early 80's use to cut up the break at the beginning!!! Those were the days!!! Hahaha
@madunwagbo4769
Original Concept’s Can You Feel It put me on to this tune
@Multifacted_Brotha
Love it!! My personal favorite Jackson 5 track! ♥🎼🎶
@MusicLoverPearson
This was and is the FUNKIEST jam off of the Jackson 5 Maybe Tomorrow album which is a very good album
@jiji7234
Oh, I went out to do my thing
And I was totally rejected
I put you down for love unknown
But it wasn't what I expected
So frightened and confused
I came running back to you
I got right down on my knees
And said "Darling, won't you please"
I don't know why you did it
But I'm not too proud to admit it, baby
[Chorus: Jackson 5 + Michael]
Thank you, baby; thank you, baby
Back where I belong
It's great to be here, great to be here, oooh
It's great to be here in your arms
Back where I belong, woo
[Verse 2: Michael]
Adventure grabbed my heart
And took me away from you, honey
I met all kinds of pretty girls
In every town that I passed through
But that fiery senorita
Burned me down in Mexico
And I got kisses cold as ice
From my Alaskan Eskimo
I feel guilty and ashamed
But I'm gonna say it just the same, baby
@latreceb6354
THANK YOOOOOUUUU!!!!!!
@lillaura622
I've been searching for this song for the longest so glad I finally found it 💯💯💯
@jaypakavelya
Same here, discovered in a random 2pac remix, they used this song as a sample
@MrLeckey
Same. Hearing Bambaataa's Death Mix 1 led me here
@EdOBrienCFB
I love this song 🔥🔥🔥