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.
Even Though You
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
(Gotta find a way somehow)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Somehow, some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
(Gotta find a way somehow)
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
(Gotta find a way somehow)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up
And start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinking
Thinking 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
(Gotta find a way somehow)
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
(Gotta find a way somehow)
Even though you're gone
I depended on you
For everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me
The way you did
Oh, you really let me down, yeah
(Gotta find a way somehow)
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
(Gotta find a way somehow)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep living on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Got to move on, yeah
(She's gone away)
(She's gone away)
She's gone away
(She's gone)
Gotta keep moving one
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Though you're gone, yeah
Though you're gone
I gotta keep moving on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Though you're gone
The Jacksons' song "Even Though You're Gone" is a powerful ballad that expresses the deep sense of loss and heartbreak that comes after a breakup. The song shows how difficult it can be to move on from a relationship, even though the person you loved is no longer a part of your life. The lyrics speak to the anguish and pain that one feels when they are left with nothing but memories.
The first verse talks about the struggle of finding a way forward after a difficult breakup. The singer expresses that he feels stronger every day, even though the pain is still very much with him. He has the will to survive and promises himself that nothing will be able to stop him from moving on. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer will find a way, even though the person he loved is gone.
The second verse deals with the practicalities of moving on after a relationship ends. The singer has to give up on the plans he made with his partner and start making new plans for one. He knows that it will be a long time before he is able to love someone else again. The chorus is repeated again to reinforce the idea that the singer will keep going, even when it is difficult.
The bridge of the song is particularly emotional. The singer remembers how much he depended on his partner for everything and trusted them completely. He questions how they could do this to him, saying that they really let him down. However, he still promises to keep moving on, even though the person he loved is gone.
Line by Line Meaning
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I must find a solution somehow to move on from this
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
I am determined to move forward despite obstacles
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I need to find a way to keep going
Even though you're gone
Even though you're no longer here with me
Even though you're gone
Despite your absence
Things don't look as bad
My situation is not as dire as it was before
As they did yesterday
Compared to how I felt yesterday
Every minute I get stronger
I am growing stronger and more resilient with each passing minute
Somehow, some way
In any possible way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
Because I must continue to live
I got the will to survive
I have the determination to live through anything
Even though I feel so bad
Despite feeling terrible emotionally
So bad inside
Deeply troubled and pained within
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I need to keep searching for a solution
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
Nothing will hold me back from moving on
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I cannot give up until I find a way to keep going
All the plans I had
All the plans I made with you
I've got to give them up
I must let go of those plans
And start anew
Create new plans for myself
Making plans for one
Developing plans for myself alone
Instead of making plans for two
No longer making plans for the both of us
From now on I'll be thinking
My focus from now on will be on myself
Thinking 'bout myself
Concentrating solely on my own well-being
It'll be a long, long time
It will take a considerable amount of time
Before I love somebody else
Before I am ready to love another person
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I must carry on despite this heartache
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
I will not be deterred by any obstacles
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I must find a way forward
I depended on you
I relied on you heavily
For everything
For everything in my life
Oh, I really trusted you
I had complete faith in you
How could you do me
How could you hurt me in this way?
The way you did
In the manner in which you did
Oh, you really let me down, yeah
You disappointed and hurt me deeply
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I must keep searching for a way to move on
(Nothing's gonna stop me now)
Nothing will impede my progress
(Gotta find a way somehow)
I mustn't give up despite everything
Gotta keep living on
I must keep on living
She's gone away
She's no longer here with me
(She's gone)
She's left me behind
Gotta keep moving one
I must continue to move forward
Though you're gone
Even though you're not by my side
Though you're gone
Despite your absence
I gotta keep moving on
I mustn't stop moving forward
Even though you're gone
Despite your departure
Even though you're gone
Despite your absence
Even though you're gone
Despite your absence
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Piano Princess
LYRICS
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Even minute I get stronger
Somehow some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up and start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Thinkin' 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
I depended on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me the way you did
You really let me down
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep livin' on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta move on, yeah
ZGuapo33
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Things don't look as bad
As they did yesterday
Even minute I get stronger
Somehow some way
'Cause I gotta keep on living
I got the will to survive
Even though I feel so bad
So bad inside
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
All the plans I had
I've got to give them up and start anew
Making plans for one
Instead of making plans for two
From now on I'll be thinkin'
Thinkin' 'bout myself
It'll be a long, long time
Before I love somebody else
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
I depended on you for everything
Oh, I really trusted you
How could you do me the way you did
You really let me down
Gotta find a way somehow
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Gotta find a way somehow
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta keep livin' on
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Gotta move on, yeah
She's gone away, she's gone away
(She's gone away)
She's gone
Gotta keep movin' on
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(Even though you're gone)
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
She's gone away, she's gone away
She's gone
(I gotta keep movin' on)
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
Even though you're gone
crystal perry
As an MJ fan it’s cool to know that no matter how much I think I know his music, I’m still discovering new songs and sounds. Even though he’s gone🙏 Rest up, Big Mike. We love you ❤️
林寶劍
I love MJ very much !!
He is the best !!
He is my hero !!!
SVETLANA GNEZDILOVA
С ЭТИМИ ПЕСНЯМИ ОБРЕТАЕШЬ СПОКОЙСТВИЕ И МИР В ДУШЕ ! СПАСИБО МАЙКЛ !
moongirl
Как у нас с вами похожи чувства при прослушивании этой песни!! У меня такие же эмоции❤
Ileana Vicktoria
Michael is without a doubt the owner of the most beautiful voice!😢
A-Train
Yes, it's just different
JDCVideo
Oh my god this is gold. Michaels voice is pulling my heart strings. I love his teenage years, so raw, crisp and smooth. Chills!!!!!! The world needs MJ
HF Jackson
MJ's voice is unique ❤️
Gps Initiatives
Never seen such music phenomenal human. Michael Jackson, one of the finest things that hit this planet, from childhood to adulthood; he never paused playing, from childhood to adulthood, I never stopped being a fan RIP King of pop.
Belladamma
His voice... no words to describe that type of blessing, not to mention he’s so beautiful. ❤️