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 Corporationโข; 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 Brownโs then current hit "I Got the Feelinโ". 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.
Can You Feel It
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you look around
The whole world's coming together now, baby
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
Feel it in the air, the wind is taking it everywhere, yeah
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
All the colors of the world should be that
Lovin' each other wholeheartedly
Yes, it's all right
Take my message to your brother and tell him twice
Spread the word and try to teach the man
Who's hating his brother, when hate won't do
'Cause we're all the same, yes, the blood inside me is inside you
Now tell me
Can you feel it? (Tell me can you feel it) Can you feel it? Can you feel it
(Can you see what's going down? Can you feel it in your bones?)
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
Yeah, yeah
Every breath you take
Is someone's death in another place
Every healthy smile
Is hunger and strife to another child
But the stars do shine
In promising salvation, is near this time
Can you feel it now
So brothers and sisters, show we know how
Now tell me
Can you feel it? (Tell me can you feel it) Can you feel it? Can you feel it
(Hey, hey, tell me, can you see what's going down? Open up your mind)
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
All the children of the world should be
Loving each other wholeheartedly
Yes, it's all right
Take my message to your brother and tell him twice
Tell the news to the marching men
Who are killing their brothers, when death won't do
Yes, we're all the same
Yes, the blood inside my veins is inside of you
Now tell me
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
The Jacksons' song "Can You Feel It" is an anthem promoting peace, love, and unity around the world. The lyrics urge individuals to look around and notice that the whole world is coming together in harmony. The repetition of "Can you feel it?" emphasizes the message of the song, encouraging listeners to not only hear the words but to feel the message of unity and love.
The song's message goes beyond just acknowledging the world's coming together as a positive message. It also addresses the need for change in society - highlighting the hatred between brothers and promoting message spreading to bring about healing and unity. The lyrics note "all the colors of the world should be that, loving each other wholeheartedly." The song is a call to action asking individuals to spread the message of peace and love to their brothers and sisters around the world.
In essence, the song's message is that we are all interconnected, and it is time for us to come together as one. The song encourages listeners to feel the message of unity deep within, to share it with others, and to act on it.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
The song is asking the listener if they can sense the positive energy and unity that is building around them.
If you look around
The whole world's coming together now, baby
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
The world is beginning to change and come together, and the song is challenging the listener to feel the energy and excitement that comes with this realization.
Feel it in the air, the wind is taking it everywhere, yeah
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
The energy of positive change and unity is all around and is spreading in the same way that the wind carries scent particles through the air.
All the colors of the world should be that
Lovin' each other wholeheartedly
Yes, it's all right
Take my message to your brother and tell him twice
Spread the word and try to teach the man
Who's hating his brother, when hate won't do
'Cause we're all the same, yes, the blood inside me is inside you
Now tell me
The song lyrics suggest that love conquers all and that all people should love one another regardless of skin color or ethnicity. It implores the listener to spread this message of love and try to change the mind of those who hate based on these superficial characteristics, emphasizing that all human beings are fundamentally the same.
Every breath you take
Is someone's death in another place
Every healthy smile
Is hunger and strife to another child
But the stars do shine
In promising salvation, is near this time
Can you feel it now
So brothers and sisters, show we know how
Now tell me
Every action has a consequence, and while one person's happiness or comfort may be the result of another's suffering or pain, the stars (symbols of hope and promise) provide a chance for salvation and positive change. The song urges the listener to work together to bring about this change and make the world better for everyone.
All the children of the world should be
Loving each other wholeheartedly
Yes, it's all right
Take my message to your brother and tell him twice
Tell the news to the marching men
Who are killing their brothers, when death won't do
Yes, we're all the same
Yes, the blood inside my veins is inside of you
Now tell me
The children of the world should be taught to love one another wholeheartedly, and the song urges the listener to spread this message of love and peace to everyone, regardless of their actions. The song reminds the listener that all human beings are fundamentally the same in terms of blood and biology, emphasizing that hate and violence are misplaced and unnecessary.
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Can you feel it
The song repetition is the song's way of ending the message of hope with emphasis.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Anthem Entertainment, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VibeFly
This was 1980! What other artist was making songs and yet not less a video show casing White people, Black people, Indian people, Native American people, Asian people and Latin people coming together as one People!! I donโt know any other artist that did it before him! I love you Michael Jackson! You were ahead of your time and a true Super Star that blessed this planet!!
@bridgeth6629
As a kid in the 70's, I can remember lots of imagery that showed people of all races coming together. There was a Coke commercial. There was some cartoon, might have been a cartoon commercial, that showed the earth and showed children of all races encircling the earth and holding hands. I also had a doll set that consisted of about 20 different dolls, each from a different country, where each one was dressed in their native dress. These things had a huge impact on making me understand from an early age that all people were one human race...and the this Jacksons video just reinforced all that.
As I look at this now, as an adult at age 56, what I see is imagery and symbolism that ties in with other celestial beings who are currently sending us positive vibes / energy to help us get through all the (seemingly) bad stuff we are now experiencing as a planet.
@addisclinton1970
Say that
@rahlohmcdonogh4855
@@bridgeth6629 I think he said artist(musical)?
@alwaysinprayer900
@@bridgeth6629 agree..Im 61.. try to tell people unity was incredibly cool back then...we are the world song was great and the coca cola song...
@tlome8033
The Village People lol.
@Hi.Shadow
Conceived and written by MJ, Produced by MJ, Prelude Composed by MJ. Michaelโs innovative creativity of using short films as an art form began right here. HIStory.
@mikspeeddemon9842
Jackie wrote this too btw
@thalia9789
@@mikspeeddemon9842 They're talking about the video, not the song
@mikspeeddemon9842
@@thalia9789 oh