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.
If You
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You will never, never, never know me
All the things that we've been through
You should understand me
Like I understand you
Now baby I know the difference
Between right and wrong
To upset our happy home
Oh, don't get so excited
When I come home a little late at night
Cause we only act like children
When we argue, fuss and fight
If you don't know me by now
You will never, never, never know me
We all got our own funny moods
I've got mine
Woman, you got yours too
Just trust in me
Like I trust in you
As long as we've been together
That should be so easy to do
Just get yourself together
Or we might as well say good-bye
What good is a love affair
When we can't see eye-to-eye
If you don't know me by now
You will never, never, never know me
The Jacksons' song If You is about the complexities of a long-term relationship. The song starts with the singer saying that if the person they are singing to does not know them by now, they probably never will. The singer goes on to say that they have been through a lot together and that the person they are singing to should understand them. The singer makes it clear that they know the difference between right and wrong and that they are not going to do anything to upset their happy home.
The song continues with the singer asking the person they are singing to not to get so excited when they come home a little late at night. The singer reminds the person that all couples argue and fight but that they should not let those fights get in the way of their love for each other. The song ends with the singer saying that if the person they are singing to does not know them by now, they probably never will.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't know me by now
If the time we've spent together hasn't made you understand me
You will never, never, never know me
You will never truly know who I am
All the things that we've been through
We have been through a lot together
You should understand me
You should be able to comprehend my feelings
Like I understand you
Just as I understand your own feelings
Now baby I know the difference
I am aware of what is right and wrong
Between right and wrong
The distinction between the appropriate and the inappropriate behavior
I ain't gonna do nothin' to upset our happy home
I won't do anything that could spoil our joyful relationship
Oh, don't get so excited
Please, don't overreact
When I come home a little late at night
Whenever I return home somewhat late in the evening
Cause we only act like children
It's just that we behave like immature children
When we argue, fuss and fight
In moments of arguing, grumbling and fighting
We all got our own funny moods
We all have our own peculiar temperament
I've got mine
As have I
Woman, you got yours too
Just like you have yours
Just trust in me
Just have faith in me
Like I trust in you
As I trust in you
As long as we've been together
Given the amount of time we've been together
That should be so easy to do
You would think that would be an easy thing to do
Just get yourself together
Get yourself organized
Or we might as well say goodbye
Otherwise, we may as well part ways
What good is a love affair
What's the point of being in a romantic relationship
When we can't see eye-to-eye
If we can't agree on things
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GENE MCFADDEN, LINDA A. VITALI, DOUG BOOTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LittleBastard1814
Such an underrated album... What a beautiful way to end a record. Jermaine's voice is so smooth and crystal clear. Love the whole composition of that song.
@ultimatedarkknight4835
Underrated Album by The Gifted Acclimated First Family of Music . . . . Michael or not this is A true song of love , faith and inspiration . . . Sending Love to Everyone who needs Hope or Jusr a Friend to say its gonna be ok . As long as we work together we can stand United, Love Conquers All and Faith always defeats fear . . . . Just Believe ✊✊✊✊✊
@robertfollett6084
Amen to that you are so very right. Pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine 🇺🇦🙏. Like titos new songs say we need to love one another 🙏. Peace to you as well today.
@marzieli
I need Michael's voice for this beautiful song 💖
@musicman9914
Jermaine did an excellent vocal.
@marzieli
@The Jacksons Live! i watched it before :)
@eprince1388
No you dont.
@Lancehendrix813
@@eprince1388 yes
@Roooooo433
He sang a portion of it at the Jackson honors
@dubidellegodi5548
Would you look at what we have right now? All things will come to us in time...if you'd only believe. Thank you for a beautiful song...