The Jackson 5

Released: May 23, 1972

Songwriter: Michael Randall

Producer: Hal Davis The Corporation

Children of the Light, ohh
Children of the Light, ohh
Michael
People work and people talk
And think that their alive
But ask them what their lifes about
Their quick to run and hide
People laugh and people cry
But never realize
That all the worlds tomorrows lays in what they feel inside
So, take my hand
And walk in the sunshine
Take my hand, from out of the night
We can stand, despite all of the dark lies
A we can build a world that is right
We can be the children of the light
Jackson 5
Children of the light
Michael
Walk together
All of my brothers, walk together
All of my sisters, walk forever
All of my children, children smile
The time has come for everyone
To stop and look around
To see just where we started from
And wonder where we're bound
The ship we're on has lost it's way
So, take my hand
And walk in the sunshine
Take my hand, from out of the night
We can stand, despite all of the dark lies
A we can build a world that is right
We can be the children of the light
Everybody!
So, take my hand
And walk in the sunshine
Take my hand, from out of the night
We can stand, despite all of the dark lies
A we can build a world that is right
We can be the children of the light
[repeat to fade]

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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