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.
Keep On Dancing
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is something you have to see
We'll show you
What you got to do
You just follow our next move
(Keep on dancing)
Let me music take your mind
Have a real real good time
(Keep on dancing)
Why don't you
Get up on the floor
(Keep on dancing)
Till you can't dance no more
(Keep on dancing)
Keep on dancing
(Dancing)
Dancing, yeah
Get up on the floor
Dancing, girl, will make you happy
And happy is what you want to be
Dancing fast
Just spinning around
Dancing slow
When you get down
(Keep on dancing)
Let me music take your mind
(Keep on dancing)
And have a real real good time
(Keep on dancing)
Why don't you
Get up on the floor
(Keep on dancing)
Till you can't dance no more
(Keep on dancing)
Keep on dancing
(Dancing)
Dancing, yeah, yeah
(Music is a feeling)
(That you just can't resist)
(When you're dancing to the music)
Dancing to the music
(Time just don't exist)
Get on up
Get on up
(Keep on dancing)
Take the worries off your mind
(Keep on dancing)
Have a good, good, good time
(Keep on dancing)
?Cause there's nothing else to do
(Keep on dancing)
It makes you feel good too
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
The Jacksons's song Keep On Dancing is a fun and upbeat dance song that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves on the dance floor. The lyrics suggest that dancing can make you feel happy and carefree, and that the music can take your mind off your worries. The Jacksons invite their audience to join in the fun and follow their lead as they show them what they need to do to keep the dance party going.
The chorus is repetitive and catchy, with the phrase "keep on dancing" repeated throughout. This serves to create a sense of momentum and energy, encouraging listeners to keep moving and not stop dancing until they physically can't anymore. The song reminds us that dancing is not only a physical activity but a mental one, too; the lyrics emphasize that dancing allows us to let go of our worries and transport ourselves to a different, more joyful place.
Overall, Keep On Dancing is a song that seeks to unite people through its upbeat and infectious melody. It encourages us to forget our troubles and just let the music move us, showing us that, by dancing, we can release ourselves from the burdens of everyday life and experience true freedom and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby listen to me
I have something to tell you
There is something you have to see
Let me show you something
We'll show you
Let us demonstrate
What you got to do
Here's what you need to do
You just follow our next move
Just do as we do
(Keep on dancing)
Don't stop dancing
Let me music take your mind
Let the music control your thoughts and emotions
Have a real real good time
Enjoy yourself to the fullest
Why don't you
Won't you
Get up on the floor
Come dance with us
Till you can't dance no more
Dance until you're exhausted
Keep on dancing
Continue dancing
(Dancing)
Dance
Dancing, yeah
Dance, yes
Dancing, girl, will make you happy
Dancing will bring you joy
And happy is what you want to be
Being happy is desirable
Dancing fast
Quick dancing
Just spinning around
Rotating rapidly
Dancing slow
Slow dancing
When you get down
When you lower your body
Music is a feeling
Music has an emotional effect
That you just can't resist
It's impossible to not be influenced by it
When you're dancing to the music
When you dance to the music
Time just don't exist
Time seems to stop
Get on up
Get up
(Keep on dancing)
Don't stop dancing
Take the worries off your mind
Forget your troubles
Have a good, good, good time
Have a great time
?Cause there's nothing else to do
Since there are no other options
It makes you feel good too
It also gives you positive feelings
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
Keep dancing
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
Keep dancing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES CARTER, CURTIS JONES, STARLEANA YOUNG, SAM CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TH3_JOK3R123
Baby, baby listen to me
There is something you have to see
We'll show you
What you got to do
You just follow our next move
(Keep on dancing)
Let me music take your mind
(Keep on dancing)
Have a real real good time
(Keep on dancing)
Why don't you
Get up on the floor
(Keep on dancing)
Till you can't dance no more
(Keep on dancing)
Keep on dancing
(Dancing)
Dancing, yeah
Get up on the floor
Dancing, girl, will make you happy
And happy is what you want to be
Dancing fast
Just spinning around
Dancing slow
When you get down
(Keep on dancing)
Let me music take your mind
(Keep on dancing)
And have a real real good time
(Keep on dancing)
Why don't you
Get up on the floor
(Keep on dancing)
Till you can't dance no more
(Keep on dancing)
Keep on dancing
(Dancing)
Dancing, yeah, yeah
(Music is a feeling)
(That you just can't resist)
(When you're dancing to the music)
Dancing to the music
(Time just don't exist)
Get on up
Get on up
(Keep on dancing)
Take the worries off your mind
(Keep on dancing)
Have a good, good, good time
(Keep on dancing)
'Cause there's nothing else to do
(Keep on dancing)
It makes you feel good too
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
(Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
@Zama_Zama
Music is a feeling that you just can’t resist 😫
@Kingjamu120
Mr. Joe Jackson Knew The Potential Of His Sons!!...Much Luv Papa Joe!!
@symbiotex83
Michael Jackson is a adlib God...
@marcellinadubois2279
Michael Jackson missing you too much. The king of pop. Rest. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🤨🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🤨🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
@marthaclark802
Mj your music will allways keep me smileing 😄 4 ever
@jeremcmb8685
The Jacksons*
@niekvanderwees8978
Me too
@sunflowerthegoddess1737
R&B AT IT'S FINEST !
@Sttephy30
This sound like soul.
@michelelaraia7358
Pure Philly International Records sound.