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 (see Randy & The Gypsys). 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. 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, 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. 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.
Bless His Soul
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But no one sees the way I see
And then I try to please them so
But how far can this pleasing go
Something's soon to come over you
You just can't please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what's right for you
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find
A person like you
You're one of a kind
If I were you
I'd change my mind
Start living for me
In these changing times
Sometimes I cry 'cause I'm confused
Is this a fact of being used
There is no life for me at all
Cause I give myself at beck and call
Something's soon to come over you
Just can't please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what's right for you
Life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find
A person like you
You're one of a kind
If I were you
I'd change my mind
Start living for me
In these changing times
The life you're leading is dangerous
It's so dangerous, dangerous all
You're leading is dangerous
Doggone dange, da-dange, dangerous
Something's soon to come over you
Just can't please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what's right for you
Life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find
A person like you
You're one of a kind
People will cry
If rain or sun
Try to please all
And you've pleased none
The Jacksons' song, Bless His Soul, is a powerful and emotional ballad that explores the pressures of trying to please others at the expense of your own happiness. The opening lines of the song convey a sense of frustration and isolation as the singer laments that no one sees the world the way they do. They then go on to question whether trying to please others is worth sacrificing their own happiness for.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, urging the singer to start living for themselves and to stop trying to please everyone else. The lyrics suggest that this is the key to finding true happiness and contentment in life. The lines "Life is being happy yourself" encapsulate the central message of the song, that true happiness can only be found within oneself.
As the song progresses, the emotions intensify, and the singer expresses their confusion and sense of being used. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels trapped in a life that is not their own, and that they have given themselves entirely to the whims and desires of others. The song ends with a warning about the dangers of trying to please everyone, highlighting the importance of self-care and self-preservation.
Overall, Bless His Soul is a poignant and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the pressures they face to conform to the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to do what's right for me
I attempt to make choices that benefit myself.
But no one sees the way I see
However, nobody has the same perspective as me.
And then I try to please them so
So, I make an effort to satisfy others' desires.
But how far can this pleasing go
But there are limits to how much I can accommodate others.
Something's soon to come over you
A realization will soon dawn upon you.
You just can't please the world and yourself
It's impossible to satisfy both the world and yourself simultaneously.
Gotta start doing what's right for you
It's time to prioritize your own wellbeing.
'Cause life is being happy yourself
After all, true happiness lies in taking care of yourself.
Then you should bless his soul
Recognize the value of prioritizing yourself.
It's hard to find
It's challenging to come across individuals who prioritize themselves.
A person like you
Você is a person who prioritizes themselves.
You're one of a kind
Your values are rare and unique.
If I were you
If I was in your position,
I'd change my mind
I would reconsider my priorities.
Start living for me
Begin to prioritize my own wellbeing.
In these changing times
Especially in these uncertain times.
Sometimes I cry 'cause I'm confused
Occasionally I sob since I'm uncertain.
Is this a fact of being used
Am I being taken advantage of?
There is no life for me at all
It seems like I'm not living for myself at all.
'Cause I give myself at beck and call
Because I accommodate others' needs at my own expense.
The life you're leading is dangerous
The lifestyle you lead is hazardous.
It's so dangerous, dangerous all
It's incredibly precarious and detrimental to your health.
People will cry
Others will shed tears.
If rain or sun
Regardless of the weather.
Try to please all
Attempting to satisfy everyone.
And you've pleased none
Yet failing to satisfy anyone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACKIE JACKSON, MARLON JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON, RANDY JACKSON, TITO JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oranges400
I try to do what′s right for me
But no one sees the way I see
And then I try to please them so
But how far can this pleasing go
Something's soon to come over you
You just can′t please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what's right for you
'Cause life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It′s hard to find
A person like you
You′re one of a kind
If I were you
I'd change my mind
Start living for me
In these changing times
Sometimes I cry ′cause I'm confused
Is this a fact of being used
There is no life for me at all
′Cause I give myself at beck and call
Something's soon to come over you
Just can′t please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what's right for you
Life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find
A person like you
You′re one of a kind
If I were you
I′d change my mind
Start living for me
In these changing times
The life you're leading is dangerous
It′s so dangerous, dangerous all
You're leading is dangerous
Doggone dange, da-dange, dangerous
Something′s soon to come over you
Just can't please the world and yourself
Gotta start doing what′s right for you
Life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find
A person like you
You're one of a kind
People will cry
If rain or sun
Try to please all
And you′ve pleased none
Writer(s): Sigmund Esco Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tariano Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
Noch keine Übersetzung vorhanden.
Jetzt Übersetzung hinzufügen
Höre "Bless His Soul"
auf Amazon Music Unlimited (ad)
Fehlerhaften Songtext melden
Songtext lizenziert von musiXmatch
@MysticAngels_
LYRICS
I try to do what's right for me
But no one sees the way I see
And then I try to please them so
But how far can this pleasing go
Something’s soon to come over you
You just can't please the world and yourself
You gotta start doing what’s right for you
Cause life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find a person like you
You're one of a kind
If I were you, I'd change my mind
And start living for me in these changing times
Sometimes I cry, cause I'm confused
Is this a fact of being used
There is no life for me at all
Cause I give myself at beck and call
Something’s soon to come over you
You just can't please the world and yourself
You gotta start doing what’s right for you
Cause life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find a person like you
You're one of a kind
If I were you, I'd change my mind
And start living for me in these changing times
The life your leading is so dangerous
It's so dangerous, dangerous all
The life your leading is so dangerous
Doggone dangerous
dangerous, dangerous
Something’s soon to come over you
You just can't please the world and yourself
You gotta start doing what’s right for you
Cause life is being happy yourself
Then you should bless his soul
It's hard to find a person like you
You're one of a kind
People will cry
If rain or sun
Try to please all, and you've pleased none
Hey
(Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha-Ha-Ha) (9x)
@jamesmukuria5855
Deep in an African village, I grew up on a diet of African traditional dishes and The Jacksons. This remains one of my favourite songs of all time.
@Burt472
@Joan Arias Indeed...It is...A greeting from Italy
@FreeDom-ij1gb
The lyrics tug at my heart, and the tune makes me nostalgic. I miss my village in Kenya.
@msoileau83
A great song.
@mwauranapoleon6009
My favourite
@kwameaboagye121
The Jacksons are phenomenal.
Abidjan to Timbuktu.
@chinchin3130
Michael Jackson singing "Dangerous" in 2:02 hits different 💯🤧 Rest in Power Michael Jackson.
@paul36852
Lead vocals Michael & Jackie
@elyviegas2716
Michael xxxxxx love you❤ xxxxxx xxxxxxxely
@lankastai
He butchered this track with his excellent vocals