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.
You Rock My World
The Jacksons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My life will never be the same
'Cause girl, you came and changed
The way I walk
The way I talk
I cannot explain the things I feel for you
But girl, you know it's true
And I'll be all you'll need
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, it feels so right (Girl)
I've searched for the perfect love all my life
(All my life)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, it feels like I (Like I)
Have finally found her perfect love is mine
(See, I finally found, come on, girl)
You rocked my world, you know you did
And everything I'm gonna give (You rocked my world)
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine (You rocked my world)
You rocked my world, you know you did (Girl)
And everything I'm gonna give (I want you, girl)
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine
In time I knew that love would bring
This happiness to me
I tried to keep my sanity
I waited patiently
Girl, you know it seems
My life is fully complete
Our love is true because of you
You're doin' what you do
Oh, oh, oh, oh, who'd think that I (Oh)
Have finally found the perfect love I searched for all
My life (Searched for all my life)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, who'd think I'd find
(Whoa, oh, oh)
Such a perfect love that's so right (Whoa, girl)
You rocked my world, you know you did (Come on, come
On, come on, come on)
And everything I'm gonna give
And there ain't nothing we could find (Girl)
Someone like you to call mine (You rocked my world)
You rocked my world (You rocked my world), you know
You did
And everything I'm gonna give (Girl, girl, girl)
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine (Girl)
You rocked my world, you know you did (Oh)
And everything I'm gonna give (You rocked my world)
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine
You rocked my world (Oh) you know you did
And everything I'm gonna give (To rock my world)
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine
Girl, I know that this is love
I felt the magic all in the air
And girl, I'll never get enough
That's why I always have to have you here, ho
You rocked my world (You rocked my world)
You know you did
And everything I'm gonna give
(Look what you did to me, baby, yeah)
And there ain't nothing (Yeah, yeah) we could find
Someone like you to call mine (You rocked my world)
You rocked my world, you know you did
(Know you did, baby)
And everything I'm gonna give
(Cause you rocked my world)
And there ain't nothing we could find (Ho, ho)
Someone like you to call mine
(You rocked my world)
You rocked my world, you know you did
(The way you talk to me, the way you're lovin' me)
(The way you give it to me)
You rocked my world, you know you did
(Give it to me)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, ooh)
You rocked my world (You rocked my world), you know
You did
(You rocked my world, you rocked my world)
(Come on, girl)
You rocked my world
(Come on, girl),
You know you did
(Baby, baby, baby)
And everything I'm gonna give
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine
You rocked my world, you know you did
And everything I'm gonna give
And there ain't nothing we could find
Someone like you to call mine
The Jacksons' "You Rock My World" is a love song that conveys the intense feelings of the singer after meeting someone special who has changed his life completely. The lyrics describe how the love interest has transformed his demeanor and outlook, making him feel like he's finally found the perfect love after searching for it his entire life. The singer is unable to articulate the depth of his emotions for the love interest, he simply knows that this kind of love feels right and true. He asks the girl to stay with him and fulfill his dreams, promising to be all she needs.
The chorus, "You rocked my world," is the climax of the song and repeats multiple times. It is symbolic of how the love interest has upended his world and brought significant changes to his life. The song's bridge is an affirmation of love, with the singer recognizing that this feeling of magic and love in the air is something rare that he never wants to be without. The song closes with the singer declaring his love and thanking the love interest for changing his life.
In conclusion, The Jacksons' "You Rock My World" is a love song that expresses the singer's profound feelings for someone special who has changed his life completely. The lyrics describe how the love interest has transformed the way he walks and talks, fulfilling his dreams and bringing true love into his life. The song deploys repetitive choruses, with the climax being highly emotive of the specialness of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Ho, oh, My life will never be the same
My life has been transformed since you came into it
'Cause girl, you came and changed The way I walk
Your influence on me has changed my behavior and actions
The way I talk
Even the way I speak has been affected by you
I cannot explain the things I feel for you
My emotions for you are indescribable
But girl, you know it's true
You know my love for you is real
Stay with me, fulfill my dreams
Please stay by my side and help me achieve my aspirations
And I'll be all you'll need
In return, I promise to give you everything you desire
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, it feels so right (Girl)
Being with you feels like the perfect fit (Girl)
I've searched for the perfect love all my life (All my life)
I've been looking for someone like you my entire life
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, it feels like I (Like I)
It seems like I have finally found the one I've been searching for
Have finally found her perfect love is mine (See, I finally found, come on, girl)
I have finally found the perfect love and it belongs to me
You rocked my world, you know you did
You have had a profound impact on my life
And everything I'm gonna give (You rocked my world)
In return, I will give you everything I have
And there ain't nothing we could find
There is nothing that could compare to what we have
Someone like you to call mine (You rocked my world)
I am so fortunate to have someone like you as mine
In time I knew that love would bring
I always knew that love would bring happiness to my life
This happiness to me
And now, with you, I am truly happy
I tried to keep my sanity
Through all the challenges, I tried to stay composed
I waited patiently
I knew that waiting for the right person was worth it
Girl, you know it seems
It's clear to me now
My life is fully complete
My life is complete with you in it
Our love is true because of you
Our love is true because you make it so
You're doin' what you do
And I am in awe of you
Oh, oh, oh, oh, who'd think that I (Oh)
Who would have thought that I
Have finally found the perfect love I searched for all My life (Searched for all my life)
Would finally find the one I've been looking for my entire life
Oh, oh, oh, oh, who'd think I'd find (Whoa, oh, oh)
Who would have thought I'd actually find
Such a perfect love that's so right (Whoa, girl)
The perfect love that is just right for me (Whoa, girl)
Girl, I know that this is love
I am sure that what we have is love
I felt the magic all in the air
I felt a magical connection between us
And girl, I'll never get enough
And I know that I will always want more of you
That's why I always have to have you here, ho
That's why I always need you by my side
You rocked my world (You rocked my world), you know
I cannot overstate the profound impact you have had on my life
That's why I always have to have you here, ho
That's why I always need you by my side
You rocked my world (Oh) you know you did
You have truly rocked my world in the best way possible
And everything I'm gonna give (To rock my world)
I will do everything I can to make you happy and keep you by my side
And there ain't nothing we could find
There is no one else like you
Someone like you to call mine
I am so lucky to have someone like you as mine
Girl, I know that this is love
I am sure that what we have is love
And everything I'm gonna give
And I promise to give you everything I have to offer
And there ain't nothing we could find (Ho, ho)
There is no one who could compare to you
Someone like you to call mine
I am so grateful to have someone like you as mine
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED JERKINS, LASHAWN AMEEN DANIELS, MICHAEL JACKSON, MICHAEL JOE JACKSON, NORA SHENA PAYNE, RODNEY JERKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chicken
It's MARCH 2024, let's see how many legends are listening to this incredible Michael Jackson song😌
@raynnaraza465
meh
@sugumarsivanesan5554
Here
@arinasochen
Me too🤩
@anastasiabelova5847
Here
@rynoshi
Weg
@livnox4007
He danced like a beast
He sings like an angel
He lived like a king
Died as a legend
@lindabilemusic5195
yes
@who_left_me_here
cooqie so will u bud
@ERNIE555
No...he knew about the abuse and couldn’t be bothered....