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.
Euphoria
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Wouldn't that be perfect someday)
Without jealousy, abuse or hate
(And all just living off love)
And I'm never giving up
Because I wanna master love
'Cause the world is just so beautiful
I just wanna see it come to life
Dream maker
Make my dreams come true
Will you dream maker
I'm ready to take this journey to euphoria
I'm ready for you
Guess the dreamer has to be awake
(Be awake wake wake wake wake be awake)
Brilliant vision but what you gon' do
(Crystal clear but what you gon do)
'Cause you help me dream this up
Now I'm inspired to master love
I wanna do it just like you showed me
I just wanna see it come to life
Dream maker
Make my dreams come true
Will you dream maker
I'm ready to take the journey to euphoria
Dream maker
Make my dreams come true
Will you dream maker
I'm ready to take the journey to euphoria
I see a beautiful vision
Of what we can create
If we just master love
A world without war, hunger or hate
You are greater than my dreams
And my dreams are greater than I can do
So dream maker
Make my dreams come true
The lyrics to The Jacksons' song "Euphoria" express a desire for a perfect world, free from negative emotions and filled with love. The singer longs to create a place where jealousy, abuse, and hate don't exist, and where everyone lives harmoniously. Despite the challenges and obstacles, the singer remains determined and refuses to give up on the pursuit of a loving and peaceful world. They want to become a master of love, as they believe the world is inherently beautiful and they are eager to witness it come to life.
The term "dream maker" is used as an appeal or invocation to someone or something that can bring the singer's dreams to reality. They ask the dream maker to make their dreams come true and express readiness to embark on a journey towards euphoria, a state of joy and bliss. The dreamer acknowledges that dreams alone are not enough and that action is necessary to bring their brilliant vision into fruition. The dream maker has inspired them to pursue love in the same way they have been shown, and they are eager to witness their dreams becoming a reality.
The singer emphasizes the importance of being awake and taking action to turn dreams into reality. They acknowledge the clarity and brilliance of their vision, yet recognize the need for action to make it a tangible existence. The dream maker has played a role in inspiring them and igniting their passion to master love. By witnessing the dream maker's example, they have gained the motivation to make their vision come to life.
The lyrics continue to express the singer's vision of a better world, one where war, hunger, and hate cease to exist. They believe that if love is mastered, they can create a beautiful vision and achieve what seems impossible. They acknowledge the dream maker's influence, recognizing that the dream maker is greater than their own dreams, symbolizing a higher power or a force beyond their own abilities. They implore the dream maker once again to make their dreams come true, acknowledging that their dreams exceed their personal capabilities.
Overall, the lyrics reflect a hopeful and optimistic outlook on creating a world filled with love and devoid of negativity. The singer acknowledges the challenges but remains determined, seeking inspiration from the dream maker and expressing readiness for the journey towards euphoria. The lyrics encourage the listener to believe in the power of love and the possibility of creating a better world through collective effort.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish I could create a perfect place
I hope to create a utopia where everything is ideal
Without jealousy, abuse or hate
Free from negative emotions and mistreatment
And I'm never giving up
I am determined to persevere
Because I wanna master love
I aspire to understand and excel at love
'Cause the world is just so beautiful
Because the world is incredibly magnificent
I just wanna see it come to life
I simply desire to witness its realization
Guess the dreamer has to be awake
The dreamer needs to be aware and conscious
Brilliant vision but what you gon' do
An amazing idea, but what actions will you take
'Cause you help me dream this up
Because you assisted in envisioning this dream
Now I'm inspired to master love
Now I am motivated to become skilled at love
I wanna do it just like you showed me
I desire to accomplish it as you demonstrated
I see a beautiful vision
I perceive an exquisite and captivating idea
Of what we can create
Of the possibilities we can bring into existence
If we just master love
If we simply achieve mastery in love
A world without war, hunger or hate
A world void of conflict, starvation, and animosity
You are greater than my dreams
You exceed the greatness of my aspirations
And my dreams are greater than I can do
And my dreams surpass what I can individually accomplish
So dream maker
Therefore, creator of dreams
Make my dreams come true
Please bring my dreams into reality
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE
Written by: Thomas Lumpkins, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis, James Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind