The Jackson 5

Released: September 21, 1973

Songwriter: Pam Sawyer Leon Ware

Producer: Norman Whitfield Hal Davis

[Intro]
Girl, don't you say; girl, don't you say, ooh
Girl, don't you make; girl, don't you make, ooh
Make me cry
Make me cry

[Verse 1: Michael + (Jackson 5)]
You had my life (you had my life)
In the palm of your hand (in the palm of your hand)
Why you threw it away, I'll never ever understand
You took away the best part (the best part)
The best part of me
You took away you
How cruel could you be

[Pre-Chorus]
You're just another heartache I've got to learn to take
You're just another habit I have to learn to break
Am I alone again?
Am I alone again?
Am I alone, alone, alone...

[Chorus]
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry, again
Again, again

[Post-Chorus: Michael + (Jackson 5)]
The more I try the more you hurt me
Why (why)
Tell me why (tell him why)
Tell me why

[Verse 2: Michael]
I can take an aspirin for a bad headache
But what pill for loneliness can I take?
I can see through you just like cellophane
But I need you baby like a star needs fame

[Pre-Chorus]
You're not another habit I have to learn to break
Let's try to patch it up before it's too late
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
I'm in love, in love, in love...

[Chorus]
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry, again

[Post-Chorus]
The more I try the more you hurt me
Why (why)
Tell me why (tell him why)
Tell me why

[Bridge: Michael + (Jackson 5)]
Don't have to say, don't have to say (don't say goodbye)
Don't say goodbye
Don't have to make, don't have to make (don't make me cry)
Don't make me cry, cry, cry

[Chorus]
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry
Don't say goodbye again
Don't say goodbye again
Don't make me cry, cry, cry...

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.

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