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.
On The Line
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In your eyes I see more than life
Steer me right, baby show me light
Warm like a fire on the coldest night
This more than lines it'll show in time
Like show and tell ima show off mines
Shorty fine as wine mami your sublime
Sip you slow, ima take my time
Tryna get you on my side, need you for the ride
That's right
Girl in my dreams, girl of my dreams,
Give me what I need
You stroll through my mind all time when I sleep
Let me lay you down in the sheets make you cream
Ginuwine on rewind and repeat
Day and night, late at night
I've tried, yet you stay inside
My mind, ain't no way that I, can hide
thats why, I just stay inside. with you
Day and night, late at night
I've tried, yet you stay inside
My mind, ain't no way that I, can hide
thats why, I just stay inside. with you
U gotta hold on me
Boa constrictor
Even if you had a twin
You'd be the fine sister
I be thinkn bout our love
And how we both differ
But we grow bigger
thank God
I ain't with no gold digger
I drink no liquor
But I blow weed
A little QT an slow jams
Is all we need
If you could only read my mind
You would know the truth
We growin old
But carry our youth
They tell lies
We live in our truth
It all ends an begins with you
It's like a never ending interlude
Till this day you make me nervous
As an interview
I dive deeper than a swimming pool
Day and night, late at night
I've tried, yet you stay inside my mind
The Jacksons' song "On The Line" is a love song that speaks to the deep connection felt by the singer towards their love interest. The lyrics convey a sense of awe and admiration towards the beloved, as their very presence in the singer's life feels like a blessing. The first verse of the song establishes the singer's desire to be close to their beloved and to share the warmth of their affection. This is followed by a declaration of love, stating that the beloved is always on the singer's mind, even when they are asleep.
The second verse of the song delves deeper into the singer's emotions, describing their love as a powerful force that holds them captive. The imagery of a boa constrictor conveys the intensity of the entanglement, as the singer asserts that even if the beloved had a twin, they would still be the only one for them. The verse also speaks to the trials and tribulations experienced by the couple, but emphasizes the strength and growth that they have experienced together. The final lines of the song suggest that the love between the singer and their beloved is timeless and enduring, a never-ending interlude.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you like when I hold you tight
I understand that you feel good when I embrace you so closely
In your eyes I see more than life
From your eyes, I can see more than just existence
Steer me right, baby show me light
Guide me to the right direction, darling, show me the path to follow.
Warm like a fire on the coldest night
You make me feel warm and comfortable even in the lowest moments of my life.
This more than lines it'll show in time
This love is not just mere words; it will manifest and be evident in the future
Like show and tell ima show off mines
Just like in show and tell, I will exhibit and display my love for you.
Shorty fine as wine mami your sublime
You, my darling, are as exquisite as fine wine and captivating all around.
Sip you slow, ima take my time
I will savor every moment with you, slowly and patiently.
mami make me wanna slide
You, my sweetheart, arouse and influence my desires considerably.
Tryna get you on my side, need you for the ride
I wish to earn your support and asking for your company in this journey.
That's right
Indeed, it is correct
Girl in my dreams, girl of my dreams, Give me what I need
You are the girl who appears in my dreams and provides everything I need.
You stroll through my mind all time when I sleep
Whenever I sleep, you are always on my mind, strolling in my thoughts.
Let me lay you down in the sheets make you cream
Allow me to lay you in bed, bring you pleasure, and cause you to have erotic wet dreams.
Ginuwine on rewind and repeat
We will repeatedly play Ginuwine's music as we make love.
Day and night, late at night I've tried, yet you stay inside
Even though I try to forget you, day and night, especially at night, you remain in my thoughts.
My mind, ain't no way that I can hide, that's why, I just stay inside. with you
I can't conceal you from my mind because you are a part of me. Hence, I choose to be with you.
U gotta hold on me Boa constrictor
You tightly grip and own my heart like a boa constrictor.
Even if you had a twin You'd be the fine sister
Even if you had an identical twin, you would remain the most beautiful one.
I be thinkin bout our love And how we both differ
I ponder on how we are distinct despite our mutual love for each other.
But we grow bigger thank God
We continue to flourish and become better, which is a blessing.
I ain't with no gold digger
I am not interested in someone who is only after my money.
I drink no liquor But I blow weed A little QT an slow jams Is all we need
I do not drink alcoholic beverages, but I enjoy smoking weed. We only need quick time and slow music to make our night
If you could only read my mind You would know the truth
If only you could read my thoughts, you would comprehend the magnitude of my love for you.
We growin old But carry our youth
As we age, we hold onto our youthful energy and enjoy it to the fullest.
They tell lies We live in our truth
Others may spread lies, but we trust our truth and live by it.
It all ends and begins with you It's like a never-ending interlude
Everything starts and finishes with you, and it's like an uninterrupted musical bridge.
Till this day you make me nervous As an interview
Even now, you make me anxious like attending an interview.
I dive deeper than a swimming pool
I delve deeper than the ocean when it comes to my emotions for you.
Day and night, late at night I've tried, yet you stay inside my mind
Despite my attempts to erase you from my thoughts, day and night, mostly at night, you still remain in my head.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jamarrion Jackson, Deseare Carroll
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@primojackson3270
Michael Jackson was a such good human.
He helped so much People.
He inspirated so much People
He wanted to make a change.
He had a great heart.
He is Legendary
He was the gratest entertainer of all time.
He diserved much respect!
MJ the king of pop!
@markijackson8612
Y'all Should I Do A Vid.. Where I Put Y'all In My Vid??..
@Tarlos_Addict
Yeah! That would make me so happy. Oh wait I’m already happy you subscribed to me! Thank you so much
@TheresaLovesMJAndHS
If you do a 10k celebration but us in it by giving us shoutouts or say special thanks to etc
@samalcoreza48
Marki Jackson Yassssss that would be awesome!
@ccboudreaux4473
Id love to be in a YouTube video💕 especially yours
@ruthnice6941
Marki Jackson yes
@teresaagustin1517
The saddest truth was, he suffered of too much loneliness, too much betrayal, too much pain, too much disappointments in exchanged for his fame. Lots of people forgot to valued the person behind his fame, how he feels, what he really needs. He longed for real love and empathy, acceptance and a joyful and real company of real people. He was sorounded by people who treated him like a Bancomat machine 🥺🥺🥺. I don't think time will gonna heal my broken heart, i missed him and i will give everything just to see him alive and happy.
@rowendacarter8790
I wish i had got yo meet him he would've had all he desired bff forever ☺️
@michellehomick6761
I agree with you, he did have a heart of gold. He had so much pain inside. And he never will be forgotten he music lives on. I love Michael Jackson..
@aronaflors8694
yea thats y God let him rest in peace for a while then we will see him in eternal life in d kingdome of God