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.
The Life Of The Party
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
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Dance, dance all you gotta do is clap
Your hands, hands, hands
You'll be the life of the party
Yes you will, now
Life of the party
Yes you can, hey
Left your sat 'til some dancing
Heart getter charms you to your feet
Yeah, now
You got he movement, soon
You'll be doin' it, so get with it baby
Get with it
You'll be the life of the party
You thrill me when you dance
You can be, you can be woh
Life of the party
You can be,
You can be, you can dance
Dance yes you can
You're a sexy
Momma, such a dancing dream
You're no lounger sittin' your train's
Puffin steam
The guys are lined up, they're hopping to wind
Up with you now
Can you see it
You'll be the life of the party
You can be you cause life of the party
I love the way you dance woh yeah,
You can be you can be
Dancing, dancing with a little romancing bah
All you gotta do is dance
Dance, dance, all you gotta do is clap your hands
Hands, hands,
You can boogie you can boogie,
You can move, move, move,
You can move, move, move
Let's get down, down, down, down, down
Let's get do do do do do do boy
Do do do do boy bop bop dance
Life of the party, yes you will
You'll be the life of the party
Yes, you can
The lyrics of The Jackson 5's song The Life Of The Party are all about encouraging someone to let loose, dance, and enjoy themselves. The song starts with the simple instructions of "all you gotta do is dance" and "clap your hands," offering an easy way for anyone to get involved in the party. The second verse introduces the idea of a hesitant dancer who needs a little encouragement to join in, but eventually gets caught up in the excitement and movement of the party.
The bridge of the song is perhaps the most inspiring, with lines like "you're no longer sittin' your train's puffin steam" and "the guys are lined up, they're hopping to wind up with you now." These lyrics paint a picture of a once-shy and uncertain person transforming into the life of the party, capturing the infectious energy and positive vibes of a gathering where everyone is having a good time together.
Overall, The Life Of The Party is an upbeat and dynamic song that encourages listeners to let loose and have fun. It celebrates the power of music and movement to bring people together and create unforgettable memories.
Line by Line Meaning
All you gotta do is dance
You just need to dance
Dance, dance all you gotta do is clap
Clapping your hands while dancing is all you need to do
Your hands, hands, hands
Your hands are important for clapping
You'll be the life of the party
You will be the center of attention at the party
Yes you will, now
You definitely will be
Miss Corver sister never
Don't be a wallflower like Miss Corver's sister
Left your sat 'til some dancing
Get up and dance instead of sitting around
Heart getter charms you to your feet
The music will make you want to dance
You got he movement, soon
You have the rhythm and can start dancing soon
You'll be doin' it, so get with it baby
You'll be dancing, so go for it
Get with it
Start dancing
You thrill me when you dance
I love watching you dance
You can be, you can be woh
You have the potential to be great
Dance yes you can
You definitely can dance
You're a sexy
You're attractive
Momma, such a dancing dream
You're a great dancer
You're no lounger sittin' your train's
You're not staying still anymore
Puffin steam
Getting the party going
The guys are lined up, they're hopping to wind
The guys want to dance with you
Up with you now
They want to dance with you
Can you see it
Can you see how great of a dancer you are?
You can be you cause life of the party
You can be yourself and still be the life of the party
I love the way you dance woh yeah,
I really enjoy watching you dance
You can be you can be
You have the ability to be great
Dancing, dancing with a little romancing bah
Dancing with a bit of romance thrown in
You can boogie you can boogie,
You can dance
You can move, move, move,
You can move your body
Let's get down, down, down, down, down
Let's get serious about dancing
Let's get do do do do do do boy
Let's dance and have a good time
Do do do do boy bop bop dance
Dance with the beat of the music
Life of the party, yes you will
You will definitely be the life of the party
You'll be the life of the party
The party will revolve around you
Yes, you can
You definitely have the ability
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Clarence Drayton, Hal Davis, Tamy Lester Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cris Sabanpan
on I Want You Back
Hlo