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.
You Can't Hurry Love
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To ease my mind
I need to find, find someone to call mine
But mama said
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
You got to just, give it time
No matter how long it takes
But how many heartaches
Must I stand before I find a love
To let me live again
Right now the only thing
That keeps me hangin' on
When I feel my strength, getting
It's almost gone i remember mama said:
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
How long must I wait
How much more can I take
Before loneliness will cause my heart
Heartbreak?
No I can't bare to live my life alone
I grow impatient for a love to call my own
But when I feel that I, I can't go on
These precious words keeps me hangin' on
I remember mama said: You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said just, give it time
No matter how long it takes
Wait you know love don't come easy
But I keep on waiting
Anticipating for that soft voice
To talk to me at night
While some tender arms to hold me tight
Oooh I been waiting i been on waiting
But it ain't easy oooh It ain't easy
But mama said:
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said just, give it time
No matter how long it takes
You can't hurry love
Noooo, you just have to wait
(Love don't come easy)
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
Noooo, you just have to wait
She said just give it time
No matter how long it takes
You can't hurry love
Noooo, you just have to wait
(Love don't come easy)
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
Noooo, you just have to wait
She said just give it time
No matter how long it takes
The lyrics of The Jackson 5's song "You Can't Hurry Love" convey a sentiment of longing and impatience for love. The singer expresses a deep desire to find someone to call their own, to ease their mind and give them purpose. However, their mother advises them that love cannot be rushed. It is something that takes time, and it involves both giving and taking. Love is not easy and requires patience and a willingness to wait for the right person. The singer acknowledges the heartbreak and loneliness they have experienced in their search for love but is reminded of their mother's words that they must continue to wait, no matter how long it takes, for love to come.
The song speaks to the universal human experience of yearning for love and the frustration that can arise when it feels elusive. It emphasizes the importance of not rushing into love but instead allowing it to develop naturally. The lyrics show a level of maturity and wisdom in understanding that love is not something that can be forced or hurried. It reinforces the notion that true love is worth waiting for, even if it means enduring heartache and loneliness along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait i need love, love
I am longing for love, love to comfort me
To ease my mind
To calm my thoughts and worries
I need to find, find someone to call mine
I am searching for someone I can claim as my own
But mama said
However, my mother told me
You can't hurry love
Love cannot be rushed
No, you just have to wait
You must be patient
She said love don't come easy
She explained that love is not easily obtained
It's a game of give and take
It involves both giving and receiving
But how many heartaches
However, I wonder how many emotional pains
Must I stand before I find a love
I have to endure before discovering love
To let me live again
That allows me to experience life anew
Right now the only thing
At this moment, the only thing
That keeps me hangin' on
That prevents me from giving up
When I feel my strength, getting
When I feel my strength dwindling
It's almost gone i remember mama said:
Close to depletion, I recall my mother's words:
How long must I wait
For how much longer do I need to wait
How much more can I take
How much more can I endure
Before loneliness will cause my heart
Before loneliness causes my heart
Heartbreak?
To break into pieces?
No I can't bare to live my life alone
I cannot tolerate living a solitary life
I grow impatient for a love to call my own
I become restless, longing for a love that is truly mine
But when I feel that I, I can't go on
But when I reach a point where I feel I can no longer continue
These precious words keeps me hangin' on
These valuable words keep me clinging on
Wait you know love don't come easy
You should know that love is not easily obtained
But I keep on waiting
Nevertheless, I continue to wait
Anticipating for that soft voice
Eagerly anticipating the comforting voice
To talk to me at night
To speak to me during the darkness of night
While some tender arms to hold me tight
Seeking the embrace of gentle arms around me
Oooh I been waiting i been on waiting
Oh, I have been waiting, I have been patiently waiting
But it ain't easy oooh It ain't easy
But it is not simple, ohh, it is not simple
You can't hurry love
You cannot rush love
Noooo, you just have to wait
No, you must simply be patient
(Love don't come easy)
(Love is not easily obtained)
It's a game of give and take
It requires both giving and receiving
You can't hurry love
You cannot rush love
Noooo, you just have to wait
No, you must simply be patient
She said just give it time
She advised to give it time
No matter how long it takes
Regardless of the length of time
You can't hurry love
You cannot rush love
Noooo, you just have to wait
No, you must simply be patient
(Love don't come easy)
(Love is not easily obtained)
It's a game of give and take
It requires both giving and receiving
You can't hurry love
You cannot rush love
Noooo, you just have to wait
No, you must simply be patient
She said just give it time
She advised to give it time
No matter how long it takes
Regardless of the length of time
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcelo MS Portugal
Wait
I need love, love
To ease my mind
I need to find, find someone to call mine
But mama said
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
You got to just, give it time
No matter how long it takes
But how many heartaches
Must I stand before I find a love
To let me live again
Right now the only thing
That keeps me hangin' on
When I feel my strength, getting
It's almost gone
I remember mama said:
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
Violet Anon
I love how when they sing covers they give it their own special touch. I like this one better than the Supremes and Phil Collins.
i8_scott
The supremes have the best melody
Phill colons has the best bass
They have their own flow
trfesok
In my Motown playlist with a live version by Phil and a great version by the Stray Cats. Thanks for the upload!
Tsukino Usagi
I'm sorry Diana, but Michael sang the hell out of it.
Susana Marroquin
Tsukino Usagi lol
Marcelo MS Portugal
Wait
I need love, love
To ease my mind
I need to find, find someone to call mine
But mama said
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
You got to just, give it time
No matter how long it takes
But how many heartaches
Must I stand before I find a love
To let me live again
Right now the only thing
That keeps me hangin' on
When I feel my strength, getting
It's almost gone
I remember mama said:
You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take
Bboom Bap
I always wondered if they covered this. Thanks!
James Green
Michael Jackson was the best
Will Jarmon
Jermaine killed his verse! That could have have been a hit in '72 or '73
RockyDavis94
How do they catch their breath while doing this speedy Gonzalez?! 🤯