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 Love You Save
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop, stop, stop, you'd better save it!
When we played tag in grade school
You wanted to be It.
But chasing boys was just a fad
You crossed your heart you'd quit.
Your promise for my ring
Now just like back to grade school
You're doing the same old thing!
Stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone.
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for the danger zone.
I'm the one who loves you!
I'm the one you need!
Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed!
They'll ruin your reputation!
They'll label you a flirt!
The way they talk about you
They'll turn your name to dirt, oh!
Isaac said he kissed you
Beneath the apple tree
When Benji held your hand he felt
Electricity
When Alexander called you
He said he rang your chimes.
Christopher discovered
You're way ahead of your times!
Stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone.
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for a danger zone.
Slow down.
Slow down.
Slow down.
Slow down.
S is for "Save it"
T is for "Take it slow"
O is for "Oh, no!"
P is for "Please, please, don't go!"
The love you save may be your own
Some day you may be all alone
Stop it!
Save it, girl!
Baby, ooh!
You better stop, the love you save may be your own
Please, please
Or some day, some day baby,
You'll be all alone
I'm the one who loves you!
I'm the one you need!
Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed. (Ah!)
Stop, the love you save may be your own, baby
You'd better stop it, stop it, stop it girl!
Or someday you'll be all alone.
The way they talk about you
They'll turn your name, turn your name to dirt.
Stop, he love you save may be your own!
Don't you know don't you know.
Some day baby you'll be all alone. (Wait a while)
Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed.
Stop, the love you save may be your own!
The Jackson 5's "The Love You Save" is a song about a girl who compulsively chases after boys, just like she used to do when she played tag in grade school. The song warns her that she risks ruining her reputation and becoming lonely if she doesn't slow down and be more careful with her love. The lyrics reference several boys who have already fallen for her, including Isaac, Benji, Alexander, and Christopher. The song's chorus employs an acrostic device, spelling out the word "STOP" as an acronym for "Save it", "Take it slow", "Oh no", and "Please don't go".
The first verse of the song sets up the narrative, describing the girl's initial desire to chase after boys in grade school. The second verse shows how she has continued that pattern into adulthood, trading her promises of loyalty for a ring and still chasing after the boys who pay her attention. The chorus warns her that she needs to slow down and save her love for someone who truly deserves it, or else risk being alone in the end. The lyrics throughout the song are quite straightforward and use relatable metaphors like falling down a rabbit hole or getting stuck in a spider web.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop na na na, you'd better save it!
Stop what you're doing and think twice about your actions.
When we played tag in grade school, you wanted to be It.
You used to be playful and free-spirited.
But chasing boys was just a fad, you crossed your heart you'd quit.
You made a promise to yourself that you would stop engaging in fleeting romantic interests.
When we grew up you traded, your promise for my ring. Now just like back to grade school, you're doing the same old thing!
As you got older, you gave up on your promise and committed to a more permanent relationship, but you're still repeating past mistakes.
Stop, the love you save may be your own! Darling, take it slow, or some day you'll be all alone.
Be careful with love, as you could end up hurting yourself in the end. Take things slow and think about your actions.
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own! Darling, look both ways before you cross me, you're headed for the danger zone.
If you don't change your ways, your actions will lead to danger and potential heartbreak.
I'm the one who loves you! I'm the one you need!
The singer is reminding their love interest who truly cares for them.
Those other guys will put you down, as soon as they succeed!
The artist warns their love interest about the intentions of other romantic interests, who will betray and disappoint them.
The way they talk about you, they'll turn your name to dirt, oh!
The artist warns their love interest that other romantic interests will tarnish their reputation and image.
S is for 'Save it', T is for 'Take it slow', O is for 'Oh, no!', P is for 'Please, please, don't go!'
The artist is urging their love interest to 'Save it' for a true, meaningful relationship, 'Take it slow', 'Oh, no!' to avoid heartache, and 'Please, please, don't go!' to stay committed to them.
Stop, the love you save may be your own, baby! You'd better stop it, stop it, stop it girl! Or someday you'll be all alone!
The singer is emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship in order to avoid loneliness and heartbreak.
Don't you know, don't you know! Some day baby, you'll be all alone.
The artist warns their love interest that if they continue on their current path, they will end up alone and regretful.
Stop, the love you save may be your own!
The refrain of the song emphasizes that one must be careful with their love and actions, as it may lead to unintended consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xscapemjlover9209
Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen
@annieray8964
Facts
@JohnnyAngel8
Ah, no.
@billiejeanies7041
PURRR
@r.o1449
@@iceychill2125 he didn't...
@iceychill2125
@@r.o1449 he did
@cdmbooks1493
There will never be another one like him. The great Michael Jackson.
@imetaboyiusedtoknow8308
The energy of this song still hits 50+ years later
@ign1096
Yea
@Gwen3344
@@ign1096 I was thinking and feeling the exact same thing!