The Jackson 5

Released: August 26, 1972

Songwriter: Berry Gordy Fonce Mizell Freddie Perren Deke Richards

Producer: The Corporation

[Intro: The Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson]
Stop, nanana, you'd better save it
Stop, stop, stop, you’d better save it
Come on now, everybody clap your hands, oh oh

[Verse 1: Michael Jackson]
When we played tag in grade school
You wanted to be It
But chasing boys was just a fad
You crossed your heart you'd quit
When we grew up you traded
Your promise for my ring
Now just like back to grade school
You're doing the same old thing

[Chorus: Michael Jackson]
Stop, the love you save may be your own
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you’ll be all alone
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for the danger zone

[Post-Chorus: Michael Jackson & Jermaine Jackson]
I'm the one who loves you
I'm the one you need
Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed
They'll ruin your reputation
Label you a flirt
The way they talk about you
They'll turn your name to dirt

[Verse 2: Michael Jackson]
Isaac said he kissed you
Beneath the apple tree
When Benjie held your hand he felt
E-lec-tri-ci-ty
When Alexander called you
He said he rang your chime
Christopher discovered
You're way ahead of your time

[Chorus: Michael Jackson]
Stop, the love you save may be your own
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you’ll be all alone
You’d better stop, the love you save may be your own
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for the danger zone

[Bridge: The Jackson 5]
Slow down
Slow down
Slow down
Slow down
S is for "Save it"
T is for "Take it slow"
O is for "Oh, no!"
P is for "Please, please, don’t go!"

[Outro: Michael & Jermaine]
The love you save may be your own
Some day you may be all alone
Stop it
Save it, girl
You'd better stop,t the love you save may be your own
Please, please
Or some day, some day, baby, you'll be all alone
I'm the one who loves you
I’m the one you need
Those other guys will put you down as soon as they succeed
Oh, stop, the love you save may be your own, baby
Ooh, better stop it, stop it, stop it, girl
Or some day you'll be all alone
Stop, the love you save may be your own
Don't you know, don't you know
Some day, baby, you'll be all alone
Stop, the love you save may be your own
Ooh, better stop it, stop it, stop it, girl
Or some day you'll be all alone
Stop, the love you save may be your own
Don't you know, don't you know
Some day, baby, you'll be all alone
Hey

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

Live at The Forum

From the album

Live at The Forum (2010)

The Jackson 5 popular songs

The Love You Save (Live at The Forum, August 26, 1972)The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Live at The Forum