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.
Take me back
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Foolish of me, I couldn't see
The forest for the trees
You've been so true
I've been so cruel to you
Oh, girl please don't leave me
If you stay I'll find a way
Baby don't leave me
Girl don't take your love from me
Oh girl
What can I say to make you stay
Baby, don't leave me
You've been so kind
It blows my mind to know
Oh girl, I really hurt you
Tell me girl, it's not to late
And you give me a chance
To make it up to you
Don't take your love from me
Girl don't take your love
Don't take your love
Girl, if you take your love away from me
I'm gonna be in misery
Your love is the strength that I lean upon
How will I make it when it's gone
Of all the little things I wanted to say,
I really wanted to do
Girl , this time,
Ooh, oh girl I really mean it
So tell me girl, it's not too late
And you'll give me a chance
To make it up to you
Don't take your love from me
Don't take your love, no no no no no
Don't take your love
Don't leave me girl
Don't take your love from me
Baby, don't take your love from me
Don't take your love from me
Ooh, don't take your love from me
Baby, don't take your love from me
The lyrics of The Jackson 5's song "Take Me Back" portray a plea from the singer, who realizes the mistakes they have made in their relationship and desperately wants their partner to stay. The opening lines, "Foolish of me, I couldn't see, the forest for the trees," suggest that the singer was blind to the problems they caused due to their own foolishness and lack of understanding. They acknowledge that their partner has been faithful while they have been unkind and cruel.
The repeated refrain, "Baby, don't leave me, girl don't take your love from me," emphasizes the fear and desperation the singer feels at the thought of losing their partner. They express regret for their actions, admitting that they have hurt their partner, and beg for forgiveness and another chance. They express their willingness to change and make amends, promising to find a way to erase the past.
Throughout the song, the lyrics plead for the partner not to take their love away, as the singer fears that they will be miserable without it. The love of their partner is depicted as a source of strength that they rely on, and their fear of losing it creates a sense of vulnerability and desperation.
Overall, "Take Me Back" is a heartfelt and remorseful plea for forgiveness and the preservation of a relationship. It showcases the vulnerability of the singer and their realization of the damage they have caused, whilst expressing their determination to change and make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh
Expressing a feeling of longing and desperation.
Foolish of me, I couldn't see
Admitting that the singer was blind to the truth.
The forest for the trees
Unable to see the bigger picture due to focusing on small details.
You've been so true
Acknowledging the faithfulness of the other person.
I've been so cruel to you
Recognizing the artist's own harmful actions towards the other person.
Oh, girl please don't leave me
Pleading for the other person not to end the relationship.
If you stay I'll find a way
Promising to make things right if the other person remains.
To erase the past
Committing to undo the mistakes made previously.
What can I say to make you stay
Questioning how the artist can convince the other person to stay.
Baby, don't leave me
Desperately pleading for the other person to not end the relationship.
You've been so kind
Appreciating the other person's kindness.
It blows my mind to know
Expressing surprise and disbelief at the extent of the other person's kindness.
Oh girl, I really hurt you
Acknowledging the pain caused to the other person.
Tell me girl, it's not too late
Asking the other person for another chance.
And you give me a chance
Requesting the other person to grant an opportunity for redemption.
To make it up to you
Wanting to make amends and compensate for the wrongs committed.
Don't take your love from me
Begging the other person to not withdraw their affection.
Girl don't take your love
Imploring the other person to continue loving and supporting.
Don't take your love
Reiterating the plea to not let go of the love they share.
Girl, if you take your love away from me
Expressing the fear and despair if the other person ends the relationship.
I'm gonna be in misery
Predicting a state of extreme unhappiness and suffering.
Your love is the strength that I lean upon
Acknowledging that the other person's love provides emotional support and stability.
How will I make it when it's gone
Questioning the ability to cope and flourish without the other person's love.
Of all the little things I wanted to say
Regretting not expressing all the small gestures of love and appreciation.
I really wanted to do
Expressing a genuine desire to take actions to show love and care.
Girl, this time
Conveying a sense of determination and sincerity.
Ooh, oh girl I really mean it
Emphasizing the sincerity and authenticity of the singer's intentions.
So tell me girl, it's not too late
Urging the other person to communicate whether there is still a chance for reconciliation.
And you'll give me a chance
Hoping that the other person will grant an opportunity for redemption.
To make it up to you
Wanting to make amends and compensate for the wrongs committed.
Don't take your love from me
Begging the other person to not withdraw their affection.
Don't take your love, no no no no no
Repeating the plea to not let go of their love.
Don't take your love
Desperately requesting the other person to not end the relationship.
Don't leave me girl
Pleading for the other person to not abandon the artist.
Don't take your love from me
Begging the other person to not withdraw their affection.
Baby, don't take your love from me
Desperately pleading for the other person to not end the relationship.
Don't take your love from me
Begging the other person to not withdraw their affection.
Ooh, don't take your love from me
Expressing fear and desperation at the thought of losing the other person's love.
Baby, don't take your love from me
Desperately pleading for the other person to not end the relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE HUTCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cris Sabanpan
on I Want You Back
Hlo