The Jackson 5

Released: August 28, 2010

Songwriter: Carole King Gerry Goffin

Producer: The Corporation

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be, baby
Oooh and there the world below can’t bother me, yeah
Let me tell you now

When I come home feelin’ tired and beat

I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat-race noise down in the street

Now listen here …

On the roof, the only place I know
Oooh where you just have to wish to make it so
Let’s go up on the roof

La-la-la-la-la-la-la … (up on the roof)

At night the stars put on a show for free
Oh, and , darling, you can share it all with me, oh, oh baby

And if this world starts getting you down
There’s room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roo-oo-oof (up on the roof)

The Jackson 5 were originally formed in 1963 under the name, The Jackson Brothers. The founding members were Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. Michael would join the group as the lead singer a year later, a move which pushed Jermaine to sing the backing vocals and play the lead guitar.

After participating in a series of talent shows, they entered the professional music scene in 1967, signing with Steeltown Records and releasing ten singles. In 1969, they left Steeltown Records in order to sign with Motown.

In 1975, most of the Jacksons had opted out of recording any more music for Motown, expressing desires to have creative control over their songs, as well as royalties. Learning that they were earning only 2.8% of royalties from Motown, Joe Jackson, the father and manager of the group, began to negotiate a lucrative contract with Epic records, which offered a royalty rate of 20% per record. The deal was completed in June 1975. As Motown owned the name The Jackson 5, the group simply renamed themselves The Jacksons.

more tracks from the album

Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls

From the albums

Unreleased Songs
Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls (2012)

The Jackson 5 popular songs

Up On The RoofThe Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls