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.
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Santa Claus is comin' to town
You better watch out (watch out)
You better not cry (woo hoo)
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town, whoa yeah
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you are awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake (be good for goodness sake)
Oh, you'd better watch out (watch out)
You better not cry (woo hoo)
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Oh, Santa Claus is comin' to town, whoa yeah
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town (woo hoo)
Woo hoo
Woo hoo
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Little tin horns
And little toy drums
Rooty-toot-toot
And rump-a-tum-tums
Curly-haired dolls
That tootle and coo
Elephant, boats and kiddie cars too
Oh, Santa Claus is comin' to town, whoa yeah
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
One more time, now
Santa Claus is comin' to town, whoa yeah
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is comin' to town
You better watch out
The Jackson 5's rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" is a classic Christmas song that reminds children of the importance of being nice because Santa Claus is always watching. It is a playful and cheerful song that parents often sing to their children during the holiday season.
The song's lyrics start with Santa Claus on his way, making children aware that he's coming to town soon. Then, the lyrics send a warning to kids to watch their behavior since Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty or nice. This is followed by the reminder that he knows when the children are sleeping or awake and if they've been bad or good. Therefore, the singer encourages children to be good for goodness sake.
The song concludes by listing the kinds of toys that children might expect if they're good, including little tin horns, drum toys, curly-haired dolls, and kiddie cars. Overall, the song has a joyful melody and simple lyrics that children can both enjoy and learn a lesson from.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Christmas is near and Santa Claus is getting ready to deliver gifts to children.
You better watch out (watch out)
Children should be careful and behave properly because Santa Claus is paying attention.
You better not cry (woo hoo)
Children should not cry or be sad because it's the season of joy and happiness.
You better not pout
Children should not be angry or upset because it's the time to be happy and enjoy the holiday season.
I'm telling you why
I'm reminding you that Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to see who's been naughty or nice.
He's making a list
Santa Claus is creating a list of children who have been good and bad throughout the year.
And checking it twice
Santa Claus is reviewing and verifying his list to ensure that he knows who's been naughty or nice.
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is going to discover which children have misbehaved and which children have been well-behaved.
He sees you when you're sleeping
Santa Claus is always watching and keeping an eye on children, especially when they're sleeping.
He knows when you are awake
Santa Claus knows when children are awake or asleep because he's always aware of what's happening.
He knows if you've been bad or good
Santa Claus knows which children have behaved well and which ones have misbehaved throughout the year.
So be good for goodness sake (be good for goodness sake)
Children should be well-behaved, not only for the sake of getting gifts but because it's the right thing to do.
Little tin horns
Children's toys can be as simple as a little tin horn, which is still something to enjoy.
And little toy drums
Toys like little drums can provide hours of fun for children during the holiday season.
Rooty-toot-toot
Children's toys can create different sounds and noises, like the sound of a rooty-toot-toot.
And rump-a-tum-tums
Toys like drums can make a rump-a-tum-tum sound, which is fun for children to play with.
Curly-haired dolls
Dolls with curly hair can be beautiful and lovely toys for children to play with.
That tootle and coo
Other toys like dolls can make sounds too, like the sound of tootling or cooing.
Elephant, boats and kiddie cars too
Toys can come in many different shapes and sizes, like elephants, boats, and kiddie cars.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Docta Love
It breaks my heart to know those kids where all singing their hearts about Santa Claus knowing none of them got to participate in those kind of things growing up, they never had Christmas birthdays nothing. Instead, they had to work and make a living when they should’ve been having fun enjoying their childhood.❤️
Eric Samuelson
It's been 12 1/2 years since he passed away and Michael Jackson is still the man. Merry Christmas and rest well.
NaturalMystic88
It’s songs like this that reminds you what a classic is.
Life with Kv
No that is just no
Talia Jones
Borahbee Laflare ya it is 🤣
ThatTangletheLemurYT
Santa Claus, is coming to town 🎅🏻
LITTLE
No kidding.
31Tentacles🗯️
Each time this kid amazes me, each time. It's so sad to know he had success but no childhood and so sad life in the last years.
An angel that lived among us, really.
chikita evans
Dedicated to my babies
Born in the 2000s but raised on old school music 🎵🎶🤗🤗🤗🎄🎄🎄
LITTLE
1990s kid here, but yes.