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.
We've got a good thing going
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright
Love hurt love hurt
Yeah yeah
Hey my girl
She did something to my chemistry
And when I'm close I'm sure
Everyday in everyway
She my makes my
And I reciprocate
My life I dedicate to lovin' her
So we got a good thing goin'
A real good thing goin' yeah
That girl and me
And I don't have to ask
Cause I know it's goin' a last internally
Now let me tell you what we got
Understanding what ever
Instead of what'd you do
Where ya been or what's the use we makin' nice
See we got a good thing goin'
A real good thing goin' yeah
That girl and me
And she don't have to ask
Cause she knows it's goin' a last internally
Said we got a
Good good good good good thing goin' yeah yeah
That girl and me
And we don't have to ask
Cause we knows it's goin' a last internally
The Jackson 5's "We've Got a Good Thing Going" is a love song that celebrates the beauty and strength of true love. The song illustrates the bond between two people who have found pleasure and happiness in their relationship. The opening stanza of the song centers on the chemistry between the singer and his significant other, who raises his temperature by three degrees when he is around her; this verse conveys the excitement that exists when two individuals connect. The song goes on to emphasize that the couple has an understanding that goes beyond the traditional relationship tropes of infidelity and dishonesty. They have a deep connection where respect and admiration for each other go beyond reproach. Jackson 5, in the chorus, explains that they have a good thing going on and they both know it, hence, they do not need to ask any questions, as they believe their love will last for eternity.
Furthermore, the lyrics, combined with the lively melody, convey a spirit of joy and confidence. The use of repetition in the chorus creates a hypnotic quality and emphasizes the endless possibilities of their relationship. The rhythm of the song is upbeat, and the vocals are crisp and tight, reflecting the youthfulness of the performers. The Jackson 5's "We've Got a Good Thing Going" is a celebration of true love that stands the test of time, a beautiful and optimistic view of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey my girl
I am addressing my girlfriend
She did something to my chemistry
She has a special effect on me that I feel deeply on a chemical level
And when I'm close I'm sure
When I am in her presence, I am certain
I raise her temperature by 3 degrees
I have a physical effect on her, making her temperature increase
Everyday in everyway
In all aspects of my life, every single day
She makes my
She brings a special quality to my life
And I reciprocate
I return the favor
My life I dedicate to lovin' her
I am devoted to loving her for the rest of my life
So we got a good thing goin'
We have a positive and healthy relationship
A real good thing goin' yeah
Our relationship is truly special
That girl and me
My girlfriend and I
And I don't have to ask
I do not need to question our relationship
Cause I know it's goin' a last internally
I am confident that our love will last forever
Now let me tell you what we got
I want to explain what makes our relationship so special
Understanding what ever
We have a deep and mutual understanding of each other
Instead of what'd you do
We do not focus on each other's mistakes or faults
Where ya been or what's the use we makin' nice
We do not waste time questioning each other's intentions or being fake
See we got a good thing goin'
Once again, our relationship is positive and healthy
A real good thing goin' yeah
Our relationship is truly special
That girl and me
My girlfriend and I
And she don't have to ask
She has complete trust in our relationship
Cause she knows it's goin' a last internally
She is also confident that our love will last forever
Said we got a
I am declaring once again
Good good good good good thing goin' yeah yeah
Our relationship is undeniably positive and healthy
That girl and me
My girlfriend and I
And we don't have to ask
We both do not question our relationship
Cause we knows it's goin' a last internally
We both have complete confidence that our love will last forever
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FREDDIE PERREN, ALPHONSO MIZELL, DEKE RICHARDS, BERRY GORDY JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@unc1589
My jaw drops when I think of Michael’s ability to sing so professionally at that age. He should have been too young to understand how to finesse those lines like he does.
@novmbr70jesuslovesyou72
I KNOW! Lol
@cometface
I don't want to be "that guy", but there's a very bleak reason as to why. But of course, none of us carry those horrible and stark things into the song once we turn it on. Not even for a second! Just us and Michael, absolutely nothing else
@anthonytaylor7928
That's when ur born with a gift u can't teach instinct
@sunflowerthegoddess1737
I KNOW RIGHT 😱 ⁉️ . . . I just can't help but thinking of the irony about that . Here he was this KID ! With this GIGANTIC GIFT ‼️ And enormous amount of talent and ability . That most people just awe and paw at . So he's using his talents . And sharing them with the world ! In this adult manner . All the while ; he was desperately yearning on the inside ! To be like a normal kid . 😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣
@nellywaldron1395
Lovely 🌹 song.
@moodyblues108
I saw the Ben album in the store as mom and me were checking out. I begged her and she bought it for me. Played it incessantly on my little kids red record player. I was 10 or 11. Always love Michael. This song is one of my favorites of all time.
@melvinpruitt3907
I wholeheartedly concur.I also love (MARIA) as well.
@ProbablyNotLuv
I never knew until now that JB used this song's sample for due in your arms. I love both the songs ❤️❤️
@DJSkyy718
MIKE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE GREATEST EVER !