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.
Working Day And Night
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got me workin' day and night
Ooh my sugar
You got me workin' day and night
Scratch my shoulder
It's aching, make it feel alright
When this is over
I often wonder if lovin' you
Will be tonight
But what is love girl
If I'm always out of sight (ooh)
(That's why)
You got me workin' day and night
And I'll be workin'
From sun up to midnight
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You say that workin'
Is what a man's supposed to do
But I say it ain't right
If I can't give sweet love to you
(Ah)
I'm tired of thinkin'
Of what my life's supposed to be (well)
Soon enough darlin'
This love will be reality (ah ah)
How can you live girl
'Cause love for us was meant to be (well)
Then you must be seein'
Some other guy instead of me (ooh)
(That's why)
You got me workin' day and night
And I'll be workin'
From sun up to midnight
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(Hold on)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(I'm so tired tired now)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(Hold on)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(Hoo, hoo, hoo)
You say that workin' is what a man's supposed to do
But I say it ain't right if I can't give sweet love to you (well, ah)
How can you live girl
'Cause love for us was meant to be (well)
Then you must be seein' (woo)
Some other guy instead of me (ooh)
(That's why)
You got me workin' day and night
(I don't understand it)
And I'll be workin'
From sun up to midnight
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(Hold on)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(I'm so tired tired now)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(Girl)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(I'm so tired tired now)
You got me workin' workin' day and night
You got me workin' workin' day and night
(How can I get to you ...)
(Ad-lib to fade)
The Jacksons's "Working Day and Night" is a song about a man who is so deeply in love with his partner that he is willing to work tirelessly to earn the means to make her happy. The lyrics suggest that the woman is the motivation behind the man's relentless work ethic, as he is driven to earn enough money to provide for her and build a life together.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "You got me workin' day and night," emphasizing the man's dedication to his partner. The lyrics also suggest that the relationship is distant, with the man admitting that he wonders if loving her will ever be a reality. However, he remains dedicated to her and assures her that once their love is realized, it will be sweet.
The song is filled with an energetic disco beat and funky bass lines, typical of the Jacksons's style during the 1970s. The music is upbeat to match the song's lyrics, giving the impression that no matter how hard the man works, he is still happy to do so because of his deep love for his partner.
Overall, "Working Day and Night" is a passionate love song that speaks to the dedication and perseverance required to make a romantic relationship work.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh my honey
The singer addresses their lover with a term of endearment.
You got me workin' day and night
The singer feels overworked and exhausted because of their dedication to their lover.
Scratch my shoulder
The singer requests physical comfort from their lover.
It's aching, make it feel alright
The singer experiences physical pain and wants their lover to make it better.
When this is over
The singer implies that the workload they are under is temporary.
Lovin' you will be so right
The singer believes that dedicating their time and energy to their lover will be worth it in the end.
I often wonder if lovin' you
The singer expresses doubts about the future of their relationship.
Will be tonight
The singer wonders if their doubts about the relationship will be resolved soon.
But what is love girl
The singer questions the meaning of love.
If I'm always out of sight (ooh)
The singer believes that love requires physical presence and attention.
(That's why)
The singer states their reason for working so hard for their lover.
And I'll be workin'
The singer affirms that they will continue to work hard for their lover.
From sun up to midnight
The singer emphasizes the long hours they are dedicating to their lover.
You say that workin'
The singer addresses their lover's perspective on work.
Is what a man's supposed to do
The singer references societal expectations of men's roles.
But I say it ain't right
The singer disagrees with their lover's perspective and believes that love should take priority.
If I can't give sweet love to you
The singer believes that their love is not complete if they cannot give attention and affection to their lover.
(Ah)
An interjection that conveys a sense of agreement or understanding.
I'm tired of thinkin'
The singer is tired of worrying about their career and future.
Of what my life's supposed to be (well)
The singer reflects on society's expectations of their life.
Soon enough darlin'
The singer reassures their lover that their situation will change soon.
This love will be reality (ah ah)
The singer believes that their love will overcome the current obstacles.
How can you live girl
The singer questions how their lover thrives without their attention and affection.
'Cause love for us was meant to be (well)
The singer believes that their love is destined and meant to be.
Then you must be seein'
The singer accuses their lover of being unfaithful.
Some other guy instead of me (ooh)
The singer suspects that their lover is cheating on them.
(I don't understand it)
The singer expresses frustration and confusion about their lover's behavior.
(Hold on)
An interjection that conveys a sense of urgency or emphasis.
(I'm so tired tired now)
The singer is exhausted and despondent.
(Girl)
The singer addresses their lover in an informal or endearing way.
(How can I get to you ...)
The singer wonders how they can bridge the emotional and physical distance between themselves and their lover.
(Ad-lib to fade)
The singer improvises and adds additional vocal embellishments as the song fades out.
Contributed by Aubrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Me
@imjustxl
Whoever you are, you have a great taste in music.
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Thank u 😙😄
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you too.♡
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Thank you so much sir 🙏
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Thank you! And so do you.