The Jackson 5

Released: June 20, 1970

Songwriter: Berry Gordy Freddie Perren Fonce Mizell Deke Richards

Producer: The Corporation

[Intro: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
Uh-huh, huh, huh
Let me tell ya now, uh-huh
(Hoo, hoo, hoo)

[Verse 1: Michael Jackson]
When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch, one glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me to take a second look

[Chorus: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
Oh, baby, give me one more chance
(To show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me (back in your heart)?
Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go
(Let you go, baby)
But now, since I see you in his arms
(I want you back)
Yes, I do now
(I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby
(I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(I want you back)
Na, na, na, na

[Verse 2: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
Trying to live without your love is one long sleepless night
Let me show you, girl, that I know wrong from right
Every street you walk on, I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl I didn't even want around
Let me tell ya now

[Chorus: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
Oh, baby, all I need is one more chance
(To show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me (back in your heart)?
Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go
(Let you go, baby)
But now, since I see you in his arms, uh-huh

[Bridge: The Jacksons & Michael Jackson]
Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum
A-bum-bum-bum-bum
All I want
A-bum-bum-bum-bum
All I need
A-bum-bum-bum-bum
All I want
A-bum-bum-bum-bum
All I need

[Outro: Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, (Jackie Jackson), The Jacksons]
Oh, just one more chance
To show you that I love you
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
I want you back
(Forget what happened then)
I want you back
And let me live again
Oh, darling, I was blind to let you go
But now, since I see you in his arms
I want you back
(Spare me of this cause)
I want you back
Give me back what I lost
Oh, baby, I need one more chance, ha
I'll show you that I love you
Baby, oh, baby, oh, baby, oh
I want you back, ha
I want you back
I want you back

[Outro dialogue: Michael Jackson & (Jackie Jackson)]
Thank you, thank you
(Thank you very much)
Thank you a lot
I don't know what's wrong with this thing
What's — what's wrong with his amp? Do you know?
Do you know what's wrong with his amp?
You don't know?

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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