The Jackson 5

Released: August 26, 1972

Songwriter: Don Black Walter Scharf

Producer: The Corporation

[Intro: Michael Jackson]
Ooh-hoo

[Verse 1: Michael Jackson]
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me

[Verse 2: Michael Jackson]
Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go

[Bridge: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5]
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say (I used to say) "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"

[Verse 3: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5]
Ben, most people would turn you away (Turn you away)
I don't listen to a word they say (A word they say)
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben

[Outro: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5]
Like Ben
Like Ben
Like Ben

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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