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.
I Will Find A Way
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Led to another and another and another
Then, ooh, I wanted you
And I feel those good vibrations
Deep inside my soul
Telling me that you're my goal.
But if I'm stepping out of line
It's because I'm falling head over heels in love with you
Darling, please don't turn away
Open your heart and let me stay
And I will find a way.
Oh, trying to get to you
Is like trying to get a little cat down from the top of a tree
You're scared of me
But believe my ladder to love
Is strong and it will never break
Your little heart will be safe.
But if I'm stepping out of line
If my words don't seem to rhyme
It's because I'm falling head over heels in love with you
Darling, please don't be afraid
Open your heart and let me stay
And I will find a way.
But if I'm stepping out of line
If my words don't seem to rhyme
It's because I'm falling head over heels in love with you
Darling, please don't be afraid
Open your heart and let me stay
And I will find a way.
But if I'm stepping out of line
If my words don't seem to rhyme
It's because I'm falling head over heels in love with you
Darling, please don't be afraid
Open your heart and let me stay
And I will find a way into your heart, girl.
The Jackson 5's song I Will Find A Way is a love ballad that expresses the singer's unstoppable desire for their beloved. The first stanza describes how a little kiss ignited a spark that resulted in the singer wanting the other person more and more. The good vibrations they feel inside their soul signify that the object of their affections is their ultimate goal. The second stanza acknowledges that the singer might not always express themselves perfectly, but it's because they are falling head over heels in love. The singer pleads with their beloved to not turn away and to open their heart so that they can find a way to be together. The third stanza includes a simile that shows how hard the singer is trying to win over their beloved. It's similar to trying to rescue a cat from a tree - difficult and scary - but the ladder of the singer's love is strong and will keep the other person's heart safe. The refrain repeats the same plea to not be afraid and to let the singer into their heart. In the end, the singer promises to find a way to be with the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
One little kiss
The relationship between the singer and the person they are addressing started with a simple kiss.
Led to another and another and another
That kiss led to multiple subsequent kisses.
Then, ooh, I wanted you
The singer developed a strong desire for the person they are addressing after multiple kisses.
And I feel those good vibrations
The artist describes feeling positive emotions and energy towards the person they are addressing.
Deep inside my soul
These emotions are intense and come from within the artist's core self.
Telling me that you're my goal.
The singer believes they have a clear purpose and are trying to attain the person they are addressing.
But if I'm stepping out of line
The singer acknowledges the possibility of them violating social norms or making mistakes in pursuit of the person they are addressing.
If my words don't seem to rhyme
The artist recognizes their potential lack of coherence while expressing their feelings towards the person they are addressing.
It's because I'm falling head over heels in love with you
The artist attributes their erratic behavior and unconventional expressions of love towards their deep, passionate love for the person they are addressing.
Darling, please don't turn away
The artist asks the person they are addressing to not reject them.
Open your heart and let me stay
The singer desires the person they are addressing to reciprocate their emotions and allow them to be present in their life.
And I will find a way.
The artist believes they will overcome any obstacle in pursuit of the person they are addressing.
Oh, trying to get to you
The singer describes their pursuit of the person they are addressing as a difficult and daunting task.
Is like trying to get a little cat down from the top of a tree
The singer compares their pursuit to rescuing a cat stuck in a tree.
You're scared of me
The person the singer is addressing is hesitant or afraid of the singer's advances.
But believe my ladder to love
The artist attempts to reassure the person they are addressing that their pursuit of love is a steady and reliable climb.
Is strong and it will never break
The artist believes their path to love is solid and will not fail or falter.
Your little heart will be safe.
The singer promises to protect and care for the person they are addressing if they allow the singer into their life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALPHONSO MIZELL, BERRY GORDY JR, DEKE RICHARDS, FREDDIE PERREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brilliantbeing
No young act today even approaches the collective talent of the Jackson 5. They were a wonder of the world.
Robert Velez
The flip side of Maybe Tomorrow and one of my favorites featuring the youthful voice of Jermaine Jackson!
Avery Pack
@Robert VelezJames Jamerson and that bass intro, though! Definitely an unsung jam!
Robert Velez
@Avery Pack - I agree cause Maybe Tomorrow at 4 minutes and 46 seconds was a bit too long for me in 1971 ( of course, I was only 8 years old at the time)! The song that should have been released as a hit was actually the flip side of Mama's Pearl called Darling Dear! Darling Dear remains as one of the greatest records the Jackson 5 ever made and holds up like new in 2018!
Avery Pack
Robert Velez Should have been the A-side in my opinion. Maybe Tomorrow seemed to drag on and on....
Prophetess Charlene M. Jackson
The Jackson 5 are incredible! I really enjoyed all of the footage! I feel very honored to have seen it! Thank you!
Necey Luv
Awesome! Why'd this bring tears to my eyes?
Robert Graves
Brings tears to my eyes from Childhood memories as well.
doc
Brings back childhood memories.
Musiclover59
Is it becasue you loved Jermaine's voice on this classic jam?LOL