The Jackson 5

Released: August 26, 1972

Songwriter: Berry Gordy Fonce Mizell Freddie Perren Deke Richards

Producer: The Corporation

I Want You Back

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

[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

[Outro: Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson, (The Jacksons)]
Ooh, just one more chance
To show you that I love you
Baby, baby, hey baby, baby, hey 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...

ABC

[Intro: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
A-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum (A-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum)

[Verse 1: Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, (The Jacksons)]
You went to school to learn, girl
Things you never, never knew before
Like "I" before "E" except after "C"
And why 2 plus 2 makes 4
Now, now, now
I'm gonna teach you (Teach you, teach you)
All about love, girl (All about love)
Sit yourself down, take a seat
All you gotta do is repeat after me

[Chorus: The Jacksons]
A B C
It's easy as, 1 2 3
As simple as, do re mi
A B C, 1 2 3
Baby, you and me, girl
A B C
Easy as, 1 2 3
As simple as, do re mi
That's how easy love can be

[Bridge: Michael Jackson & The Jacksons]
(Tell her, Mike, she's over there, get her)
Sit down, girl
I think I love ya
No, get up, girl
Show me what you can do
Shake it, shake it, baby (Come on now)
Shake it, shake it, baby (Ooh, ooh)
Shake it, shake it, baby (Ho)
1 2 3, baby (Ooh ooh)
A B C, baby (Na, na)
Do re mi, baby (Ho)
That's how easy love can be

[Chorus: The Jacksons, Michael, Jermaine]
A B C, it's easy
It's like counting up to 3
Sing a simple melody
That's how easy love can be
I'm gonna teach you how to sing it out, sing it out
Oh, sing it, oh, sing it out, baby

[Outro: Michael Jackson & The Jacksons]
A B C, it's easy
It's like counting up to 3
Sing a simple melody
That's how easy love can be

Mama's Pearl

[Spoken Intro: Michael Jackson]
Alright now, everybody clap your hands
Oh oh, na na

[Verse 1: Michael Jackson]
You send cold chills up and down my spine
We kiss for thrills, then you draw the line, oh baby (Oh baby)
'Cause your mama told you that love ain't right
But don't you know that lovin' is the spice of life, yeah

[Chorus: Michael Jackson & (The Jacksons)]
Mama's pearl, let down those curls
Let me give my love a whirl
Find what you been missing (What you been missing)
Goody girl, let down those curls
Let me give your heart a twirl
Don't keep me wishin' (Keep me wishin')

[Outro: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5]
Let it all hang out
Girl, don't be afraid
Oh, we've got the first step made
Ooh, the rest is up to you
Here is what you do, let yourself go
Let yourself just go now now now
Let your lovin' flow now now
Just give it to me
'Cause I've got what you need
I got what you need, yeah
Let's fall in love, let's fall in love
Find out what you're missing
Goody girl, let down your curls
Let me give your heart a twirl
Why don't you give my love a whirl
Girl, don't be afraid
Oh, we've got the first step made
Just give in, just give in to me
'Cause I've got what you need
I got what you need, yeah
Let's fall in love, let's fall in love
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Let's fall in love, let's fall in love
Let's fall in love, let's fall in love
Mama's pearl, yeah

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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Medley: I Want You Back / ABC / Mama’s Pearl (Live at The Forum, August 26, 1972)The Jackson 5

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