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.
Private Affair
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sun goes down
There are things we could do
Why don't you come around
There's a party tonight
That you're invited to
It's a party that's just for me and you
So close together
Let the moment
Carry us away
Turn the lights tonight
The time is right
The perfect night
For a private affair
Close your eyes
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight it's a private affair
Soft music playing on the stereo
And some rhythm
To take you where you want to go
I promise I won't answer
The telephone
You're with me darling
We're ggonna be all along
Heartbeat to heartbeat
So close together
Let the moment
Carry us away
Turn the lights tonight
The time is right
The perfect night
For a private affair
Close your eyes
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight it's a private affair
Oh come to me
I can love you, you will see
I want to give you baby
All of need
It's a special occasion
A celebration
Let the moment carry us away
I wanna prove
I love the move in you
Perfect life, for a private affair
Close you eyess, darling, baby
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight it's a private affair
We've got to world outside
We've got to the groove inside
We've got to move the head
'Cause it's a private affair
I don't wanna see you going away
My baby, yeah, hoo, hoo, private affair
You know love, I want you
Let's each other have a private affair, private affair
"Private Affair" is a romantic and intimate song by The Jacksons. The lyrics are about a couple who want to spend their time alone and away from the constant noise of the world. The singer invites their lover to a party that is exclusively for the two of them. The party is to be held at night, with soft music playing on the stereo that takes them wherever they want to go. The singer promises not to answer the telephone so that the two can enjoy their time together without any interruptions. As the moments unfold, the two are swept away in a private affair, leaving the world outside as distant noise.
The song presents a beautiful and romantic picture of a couple's intimacy that is both exclusive and precious. The singer wants to prove to their lover how much they love them and that they value their time together. The lyrics capture the essence of an intimate bond that the two share and how they feel about each other. The song conveys the idea that privacy and intimacy are a necessary part of a relationship that helps to keep the spark alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling what are you doing
Asking the beloved what they are doing as the sun goes down
When the sun goes down
Asking what the beloved is doing at night time
There are things we could do
Suggesting that there are activities to engage in
Why don't you come around
Inviting the beloved to come over
There's a party tonight
Referring to a private gathering
That you're invited to
Stating that the beloved is invited to the private gathering
It's a party that's just for me and you
Clarifying that the private gathering is exclusive to only the two of them
Heartbeat to heartbeat
Describing the closeness of their relationship
So close together
Emphasizing the intimacy between the two individuals
Let the moment
Encouraging the beloved to be in the moment
Carry us away
Encouraging them to get lost in the moment
Turn the lights tonight
Suggesting to dim the lights to create a more intimate setting
The time is right
Implying that this is the perfect time for a private affair
The perfect night
Affirming that the night is perfect for their private affair
For a private affair
Reiterating that this is an exclusive event between just the two of them
Close your eyes
Suggesting to focus on their intimacy and tune out other distractions
Tune out the world outside
Encouraging the beloved to block out any distractions and focus on their connection
Hold me tight it's a private affair
Encouraging physical closeness during their private affair
Soft music playing on the stereo
Describing the atmosphere of their private affair
And some rhythm
Adding to the ambiance with rhythmic beats
To take you where you want to go
Implying that the music will take the beloved to a special place
I promise I won't answer
Making a commitment not to be distracted by outside forces during their private affair
The telephone
Referring to a common distraction during intimate time
You're with me darling
Suggesting to focus on the present moment, together
We're ggonna be all along
Committed to their alone time together
Oh come to me
Encouraging the beloved to come closer
I can love you, you will see
Implying that their private affair will bring them closer and deepen their love
I want to give you baby
Expressing the desire to share something special with the beloved
All of need
Willing to give everything that the beloved needs
It's a special occasion
Recognizing the significance of their private affair
A celebration
Describing their intimate time together as a celebratory moment
Let the moment carry us away
Encouraging them to get lost in the intimacy of the moment
I wanna prove
Expressing the desire to show the beloved how much they love them
I love the move in you
Referring to the beloved's physical movements and expressing love for them
Perfect life, for a private affair
Imagining the perfect life together, starting with their private affair
We've got to world outside
Acknowledging that there is a world outside their private affair
We've got to the groove inside
Suggesting to focus on the rhythm and intimacy they share together
We've got to move the head
Encouraging physical movement and letting go during their private affair
'Cause it's a private affair
Reminding that their intimate time together is a special event
I don't wanna see you going away
Expressing the desire for the beloved not to leave their private affair
My baby, yeah, hoo, hoo, private affair
Affirming that this is their private affair and expressing endearment for the beloved
You know love, I want you
Expressing the desire for the beloved to feel loved and wanted
Let's each other have a private affair, private affair
Suggesting that they should enjoy their private affair together and make it their own
Contributed by Andrew B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
xmidnight_archerx
LYRICS
Darling what are you doing
When the sun goes down
There are things we could do
Why don't you come around
There's a party tonight
That you're invited to
It's a party that's just for me and you
Heartbeat to heartbeat
So close together
Let the moment, carry us away
Turn the lights tonight
The time is right
The perfect night
For a private affair
Close your eyes
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight, it's a private affair
Soft music playing on the stereo
And some rhythm, to take you where you want to go
I promise I won't answer
the telephone
You're with me darling
We're gonna be all along
Heartbeat to heartbeat
So close together
Let the moment, carry us away
Turn the lights tonight
The time is right
The perfect night
For a private affair
Close your eyes
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight, it's a private affair
Oh, come to me
I can love you, you will see
I want to give you baby
All of need
It's a special occasion
A celebration
Let the moment, carry us away
I wanna prove
I love the move in you
Perfect life, for a private affair
Close you eyes, darling, baby
Tune out the world outside
Hold me tight, it's a private affair
We've got to world outside
We've got to the groove inside
We've got to move the head
Cause it's a private affair
I don't wanna see you going away
My baby, yeah, hoo, hoo
private affair
You know love, I want you
Let's each other have a private affair, private affair
Kenneth Mapp
I was repeating this song all of last Winter the beginning of 2021
Irenа Zelenskaya
❤️❤️❤️❤️💋💋😘😘😌😌
Kenneth Mapp
Very underrated song
Keith Richards
Glory to God praise the Lord always, hello everyone, I hope you love this song like I do,it sounds like Jackie and Jermaine, even in 2021, I'm asking some beautiful woman to come to me, for a private affair, what groove, private affair you no I want you,