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.
Wait
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on wait
I think me and you should go on a
Date
Hold on wait
Hold on wait
I think me and you should go on a
Date
I'll hit your line and pick you up like around 10
Take you riding round the Chi that's where I'm from
Take you to Garrett's girl and get you some popcorn
Take you to the bean
Crown fountain shower
Or the highest scene
Top of the Sears Tower
Can you see the grid
We call it the crib
Let me take your hand
Show you the lay of the land
Hold on wait
On the lake
There's a place we can drink the sun away
And we call it the point
Thirsty Thursday I know all my niggas going
All up on the private jet
All up in the window
I ain't take you shopping yet
We don't do the window
Girl let's go in
Girls let's turn it out
Let's buy everything
Show them what you all about
Hold on wait
Hold on wait
First me and you should go on a
Date
Hold on wait
Hold on wait
I think me and you should go on a
Date
I'm gone hit you up when I come off the Dan Ryan
It sound like you was crying
I got to pull up and make sure everything alright and
Bring you some flowers and loving
I know you need something of substance
You need intimacy not fucking
So let's get it popping
Cuddle up on the couch girl tell me what you're watching
(Just me and you)
Let's run away
Get peace of mind
This your sign to Harlem shake
I don't mind say what you want to say
You want a break
I don't blame you
The problem is that other nigga trying to tame you
You need a man to handle you I'm guessing that's why you came through
Take you to another level that he can't do
Girl I'm not interested in trying to change you
That's why you fuck with me
I had bucket seats
I pull up in that truck you hop in with me
We go downtown and we ride a buck fifty
Sipping on some crown got somebody cuffing me
Got some thugs with me
Got some huff in me
Girl you ain't got to worry about nothing with me yea
(Aw you got it like that? Let's see it then!)
Spending that money ain't tripping I got
If you really want it I call and I'll bag it
That pimp shit I did it but you where it's at
And I Ice our your neck so the place will get lighted
When you're arriving
Ohh ooo
Hold on wait
Hold on wait
I think me and you should go on a
Date
Hold on wait
Hold on wait
I think me and you should go on a
Date
Telling me things
Girl I hear how you scream
And I know how you think
And I'm here to tell you
Not only sometimes
Girl you're always right
I think about how you talk
And the way that you think
Everything that you say
Girl I'm here to tell you
Not only sometimes
Girl you're always right
Fresh hair nails done
Real deep in I'm skin deep
6 feet put that pussy on sleep sleep
We take off any hater could miss me
Skeet off that block take you to where they oui oui
Woah woah
Yes I got a boatload
Platinum no rose gold
Big gun like Oso
Oh no
We getting leant (We getting leant)
Henne to the ssy (Henne to the ssy)
All of these digits on me (Aye)
Diamonds shining through the tee
Yea
If I call you on the phone
Will you pick up
I know the time is late
But I need to talk to you
Tell me what you want to do when it's just me and you
We can go further than you've ever been
Ooo
The Jacksons' song "Wait" is a sweet and romantic ballad about not wanting to be separated from one's lover, even in death. Michael Jackson takes the lead on the vocals, pouring his heart out as he explains how he wouldn't want to go to heaven if he couldn't be with his loved one. He wants to stay on earth and be with her, even if it means taking a chance and possibly missing out on the rewards of an afterlife. He sings, "Tell the angels no, I don't wanna leave my baby alone / I don't want nobody else to hold you / That's the chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay, heaven can wait."
Throughout the song, Michael expresses his deep love and admiration for his partner, calling her beautiful, wonderful, and incredible. He sings about his fear of being separated from her and how he would do anything to stay by her side. One of the most poignant moments in the song is when he sings, "Couldn't take nobody lovin' you the way we were / What good would heaven be if the angels came for me?" This line speaks to how unique and special their love is and how it couldn't be replicated in the afterlife.
Overall, "Wait" is a touching love song that speaks to the depth of devotion that two people can have for each other. Michael's soulful vocal performance, paired with the emotional lyrics, makes for a truly beautiful and heartfelt track.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell the angels no, I don't want to leave my baby alone
I can't bear to leave my love alone, even if it means refusing the angels' call to take me to heaven.
I don't want nobody else to hold you That's the chance I'll take
I'll take the chance of staying on Earth alone without you, as long as nobody else holds you.
Baby I'll stay, Heaven can wait
I'll gladly stay on Earth and postpone going to heaven if it means being with you, my love.
No, if the angels took me from this earth I would tell them bring me back to her
Even if the angels take me away from Earth, I'll request to be brought back to be with my love.
It's a chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay Heaven can wait
I'm willing to take the chance of not going to heaven and staying on Earth for my love, even if it means waiting for heaven later.
You're beautiful Each moment spent with you is simply wonderful This love I have for you girl it's incredible And I don't know what I'd do, if I can't be with you
You are a stunning beauty and every moment spent with you is wonderful. My love for you is unbelievable, and without you, I wouldn't know what to do.
The world could not go on so every night I pray If the Lord should come for me before I wake I wouldn't want to go if I can't see your face, can't hold you close
The world would come to a halt if I'm not with you, hence every night, I pray for your presence. If I'm ever taken away before I wake, I wouldn't want to go without seeing your face, holding you, or being close to you.
What good would Heaven be If the angels came for me? I'd tell them no
Going to heaven would be pointless if I'm not with you, so if the angels come for me, I'll tell them no.
Unthinkable Me sitting up in the clouds and you are all alone The time might come around when you'd be moving on I'd turn it all around and try to get back down to my baby girl
The idea of me being in heaven while you are alone on Earth is unimaginable. If the time comes when you move on, I'll do whatever it takes, even coming back down to Earth as a ghost, to be with you.
Can't stand to see nobody kissing, touching her Couldn't take nobody loving you the way we were What good would Heaven be?
The thought of someone else touching you or loving you the way we did is unbearable. Heaven would be meaningless without you.
Oh no, can't be without my baby Won't go, without her I'd go crazy Guess Heaven will be waiting
I can't bear to be without you, and if I can't be with you, I'll go crazy. I guess heaven will have to wait.
Just leave us alone Leave us alone Please leave us alone Oh, leave me alone Please leave me alone I said leave me alone
I just want to be left alone with my love. Please leave us alone.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Theodore Jackson III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
xmidnight_archerx
LYRICS
How come you tell me that
we have to get away
But girl, you can't be found
We'll dine in Paris on the Champs Ulysses
Whenever you come around
There's been a break down, break down
Don't change your mind on me
Just take a little time
You say the finer things
Are worth waiting for
Just give me some kinda sign, baby
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears any-longer, longer
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears any-longer, longer
Sometimes I think of all the moments that we share
I've been waiting for so long
You know it hurts me
Everytime you run and hide
I look up and now you're gone
I've been put down, way down
There's no tomorrow for me
You can't let love just fade away, baby
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears any-longer, longer
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears anylonger
Girl, I've been longing for you deep inside
And I tell myself, baby, baby
If this love of ours will survive
Then let's take this chance together, together
Baby, you know
I just can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I just can't wait
I can't hold back my tears any-longer, longer
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears any-longer
Now hear, you pushed my heart around
Tore me up inside, made me feel so bad
You took away my pride
(My pride)
I can't wait, wait for a hundred years
I can't hold back my tears any-longer
I can't hold back my tears
(Any-longer)
I can't hold back my tears, baby
(Any-longer)
I can't hold back my tears, darling
(Any-longer)
I can hold back my tears, baby
(Any-longer)
Any-longer
I can't wait
I'm down on my knees, baby
baby, baby, baby
Don't talk to me
Break down on my knees, baby
Must tell me
Can't help my soul
I can't help my soul, baby, baby
(Any-longer)
Talk to me
(Anylonger)
Break down on my knees, now baby
(Any-longer)
(Any-longer)
Can't wait
(Any-longer)
I can't wait
I can't wait
I can't wait
Wait, baby
I can't wait no more, now baby
Break down on my knees
JayTooSavy
Such an underrated track by The Jacksons and MJ‘s background vocals are just phenomenal he changes the momentum of a song with his presence alone😇🙌🏽👑❤️🔥✨
MUSICENCYLOPEDIA
Good Morning This classic became a huge hit in the UK
jayden benson
Absolutely
comadrejas arpías
jermaine and mike ad libbing just like tell me me i'm not dreaming. they are wonderful together.
M LGL
Masterpiece by Toto & The Jacksons
LisaMarie Bosco
I just love this one, Jackie! It’s great to blast while driving and dancing. 💜
Irenа Zelenskaya
✌️✌️👍👍😘🥰❤️❤️..Super !!! I love what these guys are doing ...✌️🖐️❤️
George Mathie
Victory is such an underrated album and when this was released it was in the height of thrillermania but Jackie totally shines on this track and victory is a darn good mid 80s r+b pop album to
MUSICENCYLOPEDIA
True. This single became a huge hit in the UK
David John
Jackson + Toto = timeless masterpiece