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.
got to be there
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on (holdin' on)
Yes I will, yes I will
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll be there to protect you (yeah baby)
With unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)
And oh, I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on
Ooh ooh ooh
Yes I will (holdin' on, holdin' on)
Yes I will
If you should ever find someone new
I know he better be good to you
'Cause if he doesn't
I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I'll be there, I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh
I'll be there, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know, baby
I'll be there, I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I'll be there
The lyrics to The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" convey a commitment between two people to always be there for one another through thick and thin. The opening line, "You and I must make a pact," signals the importance of both parties being fully committed to supporting each other. Together, they must "bring salvation back" and foster an environment of love and kindness. The main chorus of the song emphasizes this idea with the repetition of "I'll be there." The singer promises to reach out a hand, have faith in the other's abilities, and be present whenever they are needed.
The second verse emphasizes the importance of sharing a life together built on joy and togetherness. The singer pledges to protect the other person and show them "unselfish love that respects you." The song closes with a warning to any potential suitors: if they don't treat their partner well, the singer promises to still be there.
Overall, "I'll Be There" is a message of love, commitment, and support. It speaks to the importance of being there for those we care about as they navigate life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I must make a pact
We need to make an agreement.
We must bring salvation back
We have to restore salvation.
Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll be there when love is present.
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll extend my hand to help you.
I'll have faith in all you do
I believe in everything you do.
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)
Just say my name and I'll be there to offer support.
And oh, I'll be there to comfort you
I'll be there to console you.
Build my world of dreams around you
I want to create a dream world around you.
I'm so glad that I found you
I'm happy that I met you.
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be there with a powerful love.
I'll be your strength
I'll be your source of strength.
I'll keep holdin' on (holdin' on)
I'll always be there to support you.
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Allow me to bring you happiness and make you laugh.
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
I desire togetherness above all else.
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll always be there when you need me.
I'll be there to protect you (yeah baby)
I'll be there to keep you safe.
With unselfish love that respects you
My love will be selfless and respectful.
And oh, I'll be there to comfort you
I'll always be there to give you comfort.
Ooh ooh ooh
vocalization
If you should ever find someone new
If you should ever find a new partner
I know he better be good to you
He had better treat you well.
'Cause if he doesn't
Because if he fails to do so
I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll always be there for you.
Don't you know, baby, yeah, yeah
Don't you know, my dear
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
All you have to do is call for me.
Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh
Just look behind you, my love.
I'll be there, I'll be there
I'll always be there.
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll always be there for you when you need me.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I'll be there
I'll always be there for you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Berry Gordy Jr, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joseph T
One of the best Songs ever recorded in history. Regardless of anyone's opinions about MJ, he was 10 or 11 years old making amazing music like this. Timeless art.
E Devos
This was released in 1971. I was a crazy teenage girl of 15 and madly in love with the Jackson 5. I HAVE THIS ALBUM on vinyl! I am now in my late 60s. When Michael and his brothers made this record, he was 13. REMARKABLE RANGE in his voice. As a Christian, I do believe I will see him again.
Denise Colley
Still can't get over Michael's voice range for a child, I am so captivated, I still listen to the Jackson five for total relaxation.
Nancy Irgang
I'm 65 and this song was and always will be my favorite
Tye Artisik
Same
happy lindsay
Listen to this child’s voice- he was sublime. So gifted.
I am so sorry for what he and the rest of his brothers had to suffer through... especially little Michael. You will never be forgotten, your magic and genius will live on as long as there is music.
Xx RIP Michael- King of Pop
Rhonda S.
There will NEVER be another Michael Jackson! What a legend!
Estrella Escuda Martínez Azules
Absolutely not another Michael Jackson
Mark Leland
Amen
Estrella Escuda Martínez Azules
Gracias