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.
Torture
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So bad that even hell disowned it
Every single step was trouble
For the fool who stumbled on it
Eyes within the dark were watching
I felt the sudden chill of danger
Something told me keep on walking
Told me I should not have come there
Baby, 'cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
'Cause I just can't stop this feelin'
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
She was up a stair to nowhere
A room forever I'll remember
She stared as though I should have known her
Tell me what's your pain or pleasure
Every little thing you find here
Is simply for the thrill you're after
Loneliness or hearts of fire
I am here to serve all masters
She said reality is a knife
When there's no love in your life
And merciful is the night
When you just can't stop this feeling
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
And I still can't find the meaning, no no no
Of the face I keep on seeing
Was she real or am I dreaming
Did the sound of your name
Turn a wheel, start the flame in me
Baby, 'cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
And I just can't stop this feelin'
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
She said reality is a knife
When there's no love in your life
And merciful is the night
When you just can't stop this feeling
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
The Jackson 5's song "Torture" is a dark and eerie tale of a man who finds himself walking down a dangerous street, where he's watched by unseen eyes and feels the sudden chill of danger. He eventually climbs a staircase to nowhere, where he encounters a woman who seems to know him but refuses to reveal her identity. She tells him that reality is a knife without love, and that he is there to serve her and her fellow masters. The man is left confused and questioning whether what he experienced was real or a dream, haunted by the sound of the woman's voice.
The lyrics are open to various interpretations, but one possible meaning is that the song is about addiction and the pain that comes with it. The dangerous street can represent a downward spiral of addiction, and the woman on the staircase may be a personification of the addiction itself. The man's confusion and questioning could reflect the struggle of breaking free from addiction and the uncertainty of whether one can truly escape its grasp.
Overall, "Torture" is a haunting and thought-provoking song that leaves much up to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
It was on a street so evil
The location was extremely dangerous and unsettling.
So bad that even hell disowned it
The street was so unpleasant that even hell, known for its unpleasantness, would not claim it.
Every single step was trouble
Walking on this street was risky and problematic with each step.
For the fool who stumbled on it
Anyone who ventured into this area was foolish and in danger.
Eyes within the dark were watching
There were unknown entities observing and lurking, even in the darkness.
I felt the sudden chill of danger
There was an immediate fear and sense of peril when being in this area.
Something told me keep on walking
An internal instinct or intuition warned against staying in this dangerous location.
Told me I should not have come there
The instinctual feeling was that coming to this street was a mistake.
Baby, 'cause you cut me like a knife
The pain of heartbreak felt like a sharp knife wound.
Without your love in my life
Life without this person's love is unbearable.
Alone I walk in the night
Without this love, the singer is feeling lonely and lost, especially at night.
'Cause I just can't stop this feelin'
Despite wanting to move on from this pain, the artist cannot stop thinking about this person.
It's torture
The pain of heartbreak and loss is like a form of torture and agony.
She was up a stair to nowhere
A mysterious woman was on a staircase that led to nowhere - a peculiar and odd location.
A room forever I'll remember
The significance of the room and woman will always be ingrained in the singer's memory.
She stared as though I should have known her
The woman's gaze was filled with familiarity, despite the artist not recognizing her.
Tell me what's your pain or pleasure
The woman was interested in knowing about the artist's experiences of pain or pleasure.
Every little thing you find here
All of the experiences and items within this location are for the purpose of achieving a sought-after exhilaration.
Is simply for the thrill you're after
Everything is simply a way to indulge in excitement and adrenaline rushes.
Loneliness or hearts of fire
The artist could pursue experiences out of loneliness or passionate desire.
I am here to serve all masters
The artist was willing to serve and follow any desires or directions given to them by others in pursuit of happiness.
She said reality is a knife
The harshness and harsh reality of life can be painful.
When there's no love in your life
Experiencing life without love can be especially painful.
And merciful is the night
The night can be a relief or escape from the pain of life without love.
And I still can't find the meaning, no no no
The singer cannot find the true understanding or purpose behind their experiences and emotions.
Of the face I keep on seeing
The singer cannot find a true connection or meaning behind the image of the mysterious woman they encountered earlier.
Was she real or am I dreaming
The singer cannot determine if the woman was an actual person they met, or a dream or figment of their imagination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT JAMES SMITH, SIMON GALLUP, PORL THOMPSON, LAURENCE ANDREW TOLHURST, BORIS WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ClassicTVMan1981X
(Verse 1 - Jermaine)
It was on a street so evil
So bad that even hell disowned it
Every single step was trouble
For the fool who stumbled on it
Eyes within the dark were watching
I felt the sudden chill of danger
Something told me "Keep on walking"
Told me I should not have come there
(Chorus 1)
Baby, 'cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
'Cause I just can't stop this feeling
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
(Verse 2 - Michael)
She was up a stair to nowhere
A room forever I'll remember
She stared as though I should have known her
Tell me, what's your pain or pleasure?
Every little thing you find here
Is simply for the thrill you're after
Loneliness or hearts of fire
I am here to serve all masters
(Chorus 2)
She said reality is a knife
When there's no love in your life
And merciful is the night
When you just can't stop this feeling
It's torture
It's torture
It's torture
(Bridge)
Jermaine: And I still can't find the meaning (Michael: No, no)
Michael: Of the face I keep seeing
Jermaine: Was she real or was I dreaming?
Together: Did the sound of your name turn a wheel, start a flame in me?
(Chorus 1: Repeat)
(Chorus 2: Repeat)
(Outro - Jackie, with the other Jacksons)
When you call my name
(It's torture)
It's heading 'round the flame
(It's torture)
When you call my name
(It's torture)
Hey
(It's torture, it's torture, it's torture)
When you call my name
It's torture
Yeah, we would have planned
It's torture
We gonna need...
It's torture
@albanonunescassin6252
essa ainda tá de boa, que as
pessoas veem, aí é só não
assistir e nem recomendar,
se não gosta, mas eu afirmo
a vocês que as piores são as
que se mostram bonitas, mas
é apenas uma enganação, pois
exaltam coisas tão estranhas
quanto esta, e muitas são
desfarsadas de louvores,
cheias de frequências subliminares
e mensagens ocultas que interagem
com o subconsciente das pessoas,
enfim a hipocrisia, as instituições
do mundo, seja filosóficas religiosas
didáticas ou científicas, estão todas
envolvidas na matriz lunar reptiliana,
essas músicas dos anos 80 90, pelo
menos eram mais bem elaboradas
e artísticas, agora esta bagunçado,
qualquer idéia já oferecem mídia,
não se preocupam nem mais com
a originalidade e os conteúdos das
músicas, assim está a nova geração
@solara3443
🗣This album brings back so many memories of my teenage years!
Shout out to the mid/late 1980s Marching Hornets 🐝 of Alabama State University (ASU) who had the crowd rocking with this song; especially at the annual Turkey Day Classic Parade in Montgomery!
🗣Who remembers waiting outside a record store in 1980s to purchase albums, 45s, and cassette tapes?
Then…
1. (on the low) rushing your parents to get home to listen to them,
2. calling your friends because you were the 1st to buy it,
3. placing the phone receiver next to the speaker so your friends could listen (especially if you had 3-way calling),
4. pouting because your Mom told you to let your siblings in your room so they can listen too (although you spent your own allowance/chore money at the record store)
5. finding out your siblings have been sneaking in your room after seeing a “scratch” on the album, and the torn ribbon of the cassette?
I can laugh about it now, but not then! 😅
@firstname2022
MJ’s voice in the 70’s-80’s was pure electric. What a gift, what a talent.
@keithagasa9940
Even in 90s and 60s
@dannydayanrivera7954
Año 1984 para ser más exacto
@patriciamandujanocortez2809
Primera vez que la escuché se me grabó en la mente ahora dos mil 23 tengo 46 años y deberes me encanta la música de estos hermanos bellos y sexis😍😍😍😍😍
@jimmymaurin4644
What a loss
@Arouahboerlis
Reigns supreme.
@jmac212003
To this day Mike’s verse still gives me goosebumps 🙌
@michaelmaqua5179
It’s not that bad but there’s hundreds more people that have been singing just as good 👍 but didn’t get the recognition that they did, the Jackson family) they were just pretty much determined than others or just better
@davidlyf2508
For real. As soon as his verse starts it just CUTS THROUGH EVERYTHING like a knife...
@robrigler2903
Works a little like can you feel it, with a brother having the softer verses and Mike the electric ones. Wouldn't work as a solo song.