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.
Goin
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back to where my baby's from
Goin' back to Indiana
Indiana, here I come
I spread my wings for greener pastures
I still ain't found what I was after
I got the blues and that is why I sing
I'm goin' back to Indiana
Indiana, here I come, yeah-yeah, yeah
I'm goin' back to Indiana
'Cause that's where my baby's from, yeah
Okay, Tito, you got it
I'm goin' back to Indiana
Indiana, here I come
I'm goin' back to Indiana
'Cause that's where my baby's from, yeah
Hollywood, you got a lot of pretty things
I saw a lot of movie stars with diamond rings
But I ain't got my baby and I'm feelin' wrong
That's why I gotta sing my song, yeah
I'm goin' back to Indiana
Indiana, here I come
I'm goin' back to Indiana
'Cause that is where my baby's from, yeah, ow
I'm comin', I'm comin', I'm comin', I'm comin', I'm home, yeah, yeah
Ha, ha, Sis Boom Bah
One more time for Roosevelt High
Johnny Ray, Tex, Scooter and Lorenzo too
Watch T W Brown do the boogaloo
Every soul that passes by
This song's for you, from the Jackson 5
I'm comin' home, it's plain to see
I still got Indiana soul in me
Oh, yeah
I'm goin' back to Indiana
Indiana, here I come
I'm goin' back to Indiana
'Cause that's where my baby's from
That's where she is, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah)
Hoo, hoo
The Jackson 5's song "Goin' Back to Indiana" is a soulful ballad about returning to the state where the lead singer's baby was born. The song begins with the singer stating that he is going back to Indiana, "back to where my baby's from." He laments about leaving behind greener pastures to fulfill his dreams and aspirations, but he still has not found what he was after. He sings about having the blues and wanting to do his thing. The chorus repeats, emphasizing his desire to return to Indiana.
As the song progresses, the lead singer notes the glamour of Hollywood and how it has many pretty things. However, he feels wrong because he does not have his baby with him. The ballad concludes with the singer expressing his elation about returning to Indiana and thanking his alma mater, Roosevelt High, for shaping him into the person he is today.
The song's lyrics express the idea of returning to one's roots and finding comfort in the familiar. The song's ballad-style melody and soulful vocals capture the longing for home and the excitement of returning to a place with emotional significance.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' back to Indiana
Returning to my home state, Indiana
Back to where my baby's from
Returning to the place where my loved one was born and raised
Goin' back to Indiana
Going back to where I belong
Indiana, here I come
I am arriving in Indiana
I spread my wings for greener pastures
I ventured out seeking new opportunities
I still ain't found what I was after
Despite my searching, I haven't found what I was looking for
I got the blues and that is why I sing
I am feeling sad and that's why I am singing this song
I just wanna do my thing, yeah
I want to do what makes me happy and follow my own path in life
Okay, Tito, you got it
Acknowledgment of a band member's readiness
Hollywood, you got a lot of pretty things
The city of Hollywood has many attractive things to offer
I saw a lot of movie stars with diamond rings
I observed many famous people with jewelry
But I ain't got my baby and I'm feelin' wrong
Despite everything else, I still miss my loved one and feel out of sorts
That's why I gotta sing my song, yeah
This is why I am expressing myself with music
Ha, ha, Sis Boom Bah
A cheerleading chant
One more time for Roosevelt High
A shoutout to a specific high school
Johnny Ray, Tex, Scooter and Lorenzo too
Calling out the names of people the singer knows
Watch T W Brown do the boogaloo
Referring to a specific dance routine
Every soul that passes by
Dedicating this song to everyone who hears it
This song's for you, from the Jackson 5
Acknowledging the importance of the listeners to the band
I'm comin' home, it's plain to see
I am returning to where I am meant to be, it's clear and obvious
I still got Indiana soul in me
I still have the spirit of Indiana with me
Oh, yeah
Expressing excitement in response to the previous line
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alphonso James Mizell, Berry Gordy Jr, Deke Richards, Dennis Lussier, Freddie Perren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edith-Jean Nally
"Goin' Places"
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I want to go
To a different land
Try my best
To understand
The different traditions
And customs
That people have
The world is bigger
Than this ole town
I wanna get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
And I'm leavin' here today
'Cause....
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
I want to get
A first class seat
Climbing to a high of forty feet
It don't take long
To get where you wanna go
I'm gonna have myself a ball
This ole world I wanna see it all
I got my clothes packed
And I'm leaving right away
I like the feelin' I get
When I'm ridin' in a jet
Say I'm goin' places
Tensai
I like the feelin I get
When I'm ridin in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm ridin in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I want to go
To a different land
Try my best
To understand
The different traditions
And customs
That people have, yeah
The world is bigger
Than this old town
I want to get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
I'm leavin here today
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I want to get
A first class seat
Climbing so high up to forthy thousand feet
It don't take long
To get where I want to go, yeah
I'm gonna have myself a ball
This ole world I want to see it all
I got my clothes packed
I'm leavin right away
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin, goin, goin, goin
The world is bigger
Than this ole town
I want to get my feet up
Off the ground
I've saved up my money
I'm leavin right away
Cause I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin places
I like the feelin I get
When I'm riding in a jet
Say I'm goin, goin, goin, goin
Goin, goin, goin, goin
Ad libs
(New York, look out here we come)
Here we, here we come, yeah
(Detroit, look out here we come)
Detroit, here we come
(D.C., look out here we come)
D.C., look out here we come
(L.A., look out here we come)
L.A., look out here we come
(Houston, look out here we come)
Houston, look out here we come
(Chicago, Philadelphia)
Gary, Indiana
(I say we're going across the water)
Going across the water
(Going across the water)
Going, goin, goin places
(Japan, look out here come)
Come on, yeah
(England, look out here we come)
England
(Scotland, look out here we come)
Look out, look out here we come
(I say Philippines)
Yes, indeed
(Russia, China, goin to Africa)
Going across the water
Going across the water, yeah
First class sit
I'm gonna see it all
Get it on
Enjoy the lyrics😊
Burguenline
I dont get tired of saying: best voice ever, best singer ever, best entertainer ever, best artist ever, and a great human being. miss you Michael .
DYNASTY
And best dancer and songwriter!
Musiclover60
YOU FORGOT TO ADD BEST GROUP THE JACKSONS WASN'T ALL ABOUT MIKE IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE BROTHERS AS A UNIT.
Juliana P.D.
@Musiclover60 I agree 👏🏻
D Glorious
Yes, well said. 💯🙂
Natasha Naome Gapare
Amen
Leroy Jnr
Love watching him in these times. Full of life and energy. Love love love him and the days of the jacksons.
Sm K
Yeah
Miss him a lot 😢 😪....
Musiclover60
There is no him it's them The Jacksons
Leroy Jnr
@Musiclover60 There is a 'him' and he was a part of The Jacksons. As HE is no longer with us, I wanted to single HIM out.