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.
i am love -
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you go from day to day
The hands of love will catch you
When you fall along the way
My arms will hold and be with you
Your whole life through
'Cause I am love
And I'm in love with you
I find myself in wonder
Of why I've been misused
When love brings understanding
How can it be confused
(War and poverty wasn't meant to be)
Hate is drivin' me away
'Cause I am love
And I'd love to stay
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come on back, oh yeah
Please, this is where you belong
I am love
Sprinkle myself around you
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I'm the answer to the question
My key unlocks your heart
I'm your friend and your lover
Your sister and your brother
Let me in your mind
(Let's get together)
You're runnin' out of time
(Let's get together)
Your wish is my command
(Let's get together)
People take my hand
(Let's get together
(Love, love, love, love)
(Let's get together, let's get together)
I am love,
Sprinkle myself around you,
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I am love
I am love
In The Jackson 5's song "I Am Love," the lyrics suggest that love will always be present as one goes through their daily life, and it will catch them when they fall. The song's narrator declares themselves to be love and professes their love for someone, asking them to return to where they belong. The singer wonders why love is so misunderstood, lamenting the existence of hate that drives people away from it. Despite that, the singer continues to shower the object of their affection with love, presenting themselves as their friend, lover, sister, and brother. They urge the listener to let them into their heart and to take their hand.
The message of this song is one of positivity and the power of love, even in times of confusion and hardship. The lyrics suggest that love is the answer to life's difficulties, and that by embracing it, we can find hope and understanding. The singer presents themselves as a vessel for love and urges the listener to let love in, to let it surround them and warm them.
Overall, "I Am Love" is a celebration of love and its ability to heal, sustain, and guide us. It reminds us that love is always present, waiting for us to let it in, and that by doing so, we can find happiness, peace, and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
The eyes of love will watch you
My love for you will always keep an eye on you as you go through your daily life
As you go from day to day
As you go through your daily life
The hands of love will catch you
My love for you will be there to catch you when you fall down during difficult times
When you fall along the way
During difficult times when you face setbacks
My arms will hold and be with you
My love for you is unconditional and will be there to support you throughout your entire life
Your whole life through
Throughout your entire life
'Cause I am love
I am defined by my love for you
And I'm in love with you
I am deeply in love with you
I find myself in wonder
I am amazed
Of why I've been misused
Asking myself why I have been treated poorly or not recognized
When love brings understanding
Through love, we can find better understanding of each other
How can it be confused
Why is love often misunderstood or not put first
(War and poverty wasn't meant to be)
We were not meant to live in a world with war and poverty
Hate is drivin' me away
The negative feeling of hate is causing me to retreat from this world
Come back lover, come back
Please come back to me
This is where you belong
This is your home
I am love
I am defined by my love for you
Sprinkle myself around you
I want to spread love around you in everything I do
Shower my warmth upon you
I want you to feel my love in everything I do
I'm the answer to the question
I have the solution to the problem
My key unlocks your heart
My love is the key to unlocking your heart
I'm your friend and your lover
I am your companion and your romantic partner
Your sister and your brother
I am your family
Let me in your mind
Please allow me to understand your thoughts and emotions
(Let's get together)
Let's unite
You're runnin' out of time
We need to act fast, there is not much time left
Your wish is my command
I will do whatever you want me to do
(Love, love, love, love)
Love, love, love, love
(Let's get together, let's get together)
Let's unite
I am love
I am defined by my love for you
Sprinkle myself around you
I want to spread love around you in everything I do
Shower my warmth upon you
I want you to feel my love in everything I do
I am love
I am defined by my love for you
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: DON FENCETON, JERRY MARCELLINO, MEL LARSON, RODERICK RANCIFER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Samurai
The eyes of love will watch you
As you go from day to day
The hands of love will catch you
When you fall along the way
My arms will hold and be with you
Your whole life through
'Cause I am love
And I'm in love with you
I find myself in wonder
Of why I've been misused
When love brings understanding
How can it be confused
(War and poverty wasn't meant to be)
Hate is drivin' me away
'Cause I am love
And I'd love to stay
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong, come back lover come back
Come on back, oh yeah
Please, this is where you belong
I am love
Sprinkle myself around you
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I'm the answer to the question
My key unlocks your heart
I'm your friend and your lover
Your sister and your brother
Let me in your mind
(Let's get together)
You're runnin' out of time
(Let's get together)
Your wish is my command
(Let's get together)
People take my hand
(Let's get together)
(Love, love, love, love)
(Let's get together, let's get together)
I am love
Sprinkle myself around you
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I am love, la la la la
I am love, la la la la
Greg Lites
THE most underrated J5 song , here's why: In the 70s, radio stations would not play songs over 4 minutes in length, so I Am Love (being 7 minutes) got zero airplay. Clearly though, this is one of J5's best recordings ever.
b.r. ross
WLS in Chicago played this song quite a lot (an edited version) but it was still longer than the traditional “three minute” songs. It made it high on their charts back in April/May of 1975.
David Mcpherson
PREACH TRUTH bro!"""" Best Male Vocal group of ALL TIME.""""""" (Temptations runner up) MJ had the most Profound and gifted voice of ANYONE. nuff"" said, go listen to 'em. 😉😇
55 pack400
@b.r. ross agreed!!! I grew up on WLS and this song got quite a bit of airplay @ spring break 1975.
WLS edited out some of the instrumental break between the "Jermaine" and "Michael" parts...it was at least five minutes long
55 pack400
The 45 RPM single is parts one ,( side A,) and two ( side B).... part one fades out and part two fades in at the "come back lover come back" chorus
Al Villa
I agree
Richard Johnson
This song is incredible. I remember buying the 45 years ago. Even though I was a Beatles fan and a rock and jazz guy in general, this song just blew me away. Still does.
thejazzman210
Very underrated song. This is actually one of the best J5 songs ever recorded.
Ray Gillman
The beginning segment is good because it's not MJ. The middle segment is fine. The ending sequence sounds like the action music to the Dukes of Hazard where the Sheriff is chasing those pesky outlaws. Bleh.
Cue
This was (and still is) musically one of their best cuts - the electric piano, the drums and Tito’s solo work made it outstanding. My memory is Don Cornelius introducing this at the half way point on Soul Train and everybody turned up - it would have been something seeing them do this on the show!