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.
Young Folks
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we come (here we come)
And we're so alive
We're here for business buddy
And don't want no jive (don't want no jive)
Brighter tomorrows are in our eyes
You better make a way for the young folks
We say yes (we say yes)
And you say no
We ask you why
And you close the door (you close the door)
My old friend, I thought you knew by now, yeah
You can't do that to the young folks
Oh, no, no, no, no
You might not like it
But I've gotta tell you (you might not like it)
Oh, gotta tell you (but I gotta tell you)
Na na, yeah yeah
You better make a way for the young folks
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We're marching with signs
We're standing in lines, yeah, yeah
Protesting your rights
To turn out the lights in our lives
Here's the deal (here's the deal)
Accept it if you will
We're coming on strong, yeah (we're coming on strong)
It's our turn to build (to build)
My old friend, I thought you knew by now, yeah
You gotta make a way for the young folks
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You might not like it
But I've gotta tell you (you might not like it)
Oh, gotta tell you (but I gotta tell you)
Ooh yeah, yeah, yeah
You better make a way
You better make a way
You gotta make a way for the young folks, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah
Ooh
You might not like it
But I've gotta tell you (you might not like it)
I gotta tell you (but I gotta tell you)
Na-na-na-na
You gotta make a way
You gotta make way
You gotta make a way for the young folks
The Jackson 5's song "Young Folks" is a call to action to the older generations to make way for the young people. The lyrics are a statement of the younger generation's confidence and a warning to those who might try to stand in their way. The opening lines, "You better make a way for the young folks, Here we come, and we're so alive," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The young people are coming, and they are not to be underestimated. The song's chorus, "You better make a way for the young folks" is repeated throughout, driving home the message of the song.
The lyrics then describe the ways in which the young people are standing up for themselves. They are marching with signs and protesting their rights. They are demanding that the older generations turn over the reins so they can build a brighter tomorrow. The song's bridge, "Here's the deal, accept it if you will, We're coming on strong, yeah, It's our turn to build," captures the sentiment of the entire song. The young people are ready to take charge and create a better future for themselves.
Overall, the song is a powerful and positive message to the younger generation. It encourages them to stand up for themselves and take control of their future, while urging the older generations to recognize their potential and allow them to thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
You better make a way for the young folks
The young generation is here and they are vibrant and dynamic, so the elders should create opportunities for them.
Here we come, and we're so alive.
The young folks are energetic and full of life, ready to take on the world and make a positive contribution.
We're here for business buddy, and don't won't no jive.
The young folks are serious about their goals and don't have time for any nonsense or distractions.
Brighter tomorrows are in our eyes
The youth are filled with hope and optimism for a better future and are willing to work towards it.
We say yes
The youth are willing to embrace new ideas and opportunities that can help them succeed.
And you say no
The elders are often resistant to change and are not willing to support new ideas or initiatives from the younger generation.
We ask you why
The youth are curious and seek to understand the reasoning behind decisions made by their elders.
And you close the door
The elders tend to shut down communication and discourage dialogue with the younger generation, leaving them feeling powerless.
My old friend, I thought you knew by now, yeah
The young folks are disappointed that their elders have not yet acknowledged their potential and are not making efforts to support their growth.
You can't do that to the young folks
The elders cannot afford to ignore young people because they hold the key to the future and their ideas and contributions are valuable.
We're marching with signs
The youth are not afraid to take to the streets to fight for their rights and to demand change from those in power.
We're standing in lines, yeah, yeah
The youth are willing to be patient and to persistently advocate for their rights and for what they believe in.
Protesting our rights
The youth are fighting for their basic rights, which have been denied or ignored for far too long.
To turn out the lights in our lives
The youth are essentially fighting for their chance to shine, to be able to create their own opportunities and to become successful.
Here's the deal, accept it if you will
The youth have a clear plan and vision for what they want to achieve, and they are asking their elders to support it or risk being left behind.
We're coming on strong, yeah
The youth are a force to be reckoned with, and their determination and passion will enable them to succeed.
It's our turn to build
The youths believe it is their time to take over and build a better future for themselves and generations to come.
You may not like it, but I've got to tell you
The youth are aware that their message may be met with resistance or skepticism, but they are persistent in their efforts to communicate it nonetheless.
You better make a way, you better make a way
The youth are urging their elders to take action and to create opportunities for them instead of holding them back.
You gotta make a way for the young folks, yeah, yeah
The youth believe that their elders have a responsibility to help them succeed and to create a better future for all.
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, ooh
The youth are determined and passionate about their mission to make a positive impact on the world.
You may not like it but I've to tell you
The youth are not afraid to speak their minds and advocate for what they believe in, even if it is not well-received by their elders.
I've got to tell you, na na na na
The youth are insistent and persistent in their message that they need support and opportunities to succeed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Allen Story, George Gordy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
29kalel
This boy could sing his behind off. His range and skill even as a child still amazes me to this day.
Sturge Moreland
Those were his best years vocally.
Rodney Wise
Yes!!!!! He was blessed, a phenom.
Jodie Smith
We need this song for now, I love this song when I was younger and it still touch me.
We have to make a way for the young folks they are our future.🙏💯
janine Jones
This song...I sooo remember it from back in the day. Absolutely LOVE it ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Keith Taylor
I feel the same way!
Marian Foreman
That's right go young folks GO!!!!
mochawitch
love it
Brian Hines
This song is very hard-driven and hard-bodied. MJ and his brothers were very talented. R.I.P. Michael Jackson
Brutha Dnubian
Nice! I was looking for The Supremes version and stumbled upon this one....dammit sing it Michael.