The Jackson 5

Released: March 29, 1973

Songwriter: Deke Richards

Producer: Deke Richards

[Verse 1: Michael]
My mama told me when I was quite young
Don't be a bad boy and don't run
'Cause he's gonna get you
He's gonna get you

[Pre-Chorus]
So little girl that's why I'm tellin' you
Don't you dare break my heart in two
Or he's gonna get you
He's gonna get you

[Chorus: Jackson 5 + Jermaine]
The Boogie Man's gonna get you
If you're messin' around in the dark
Playin' with my love and affection
That ain't smart, no that ain't smart, oh

[Verse 2: Jackie + Jermaine + (Jackson 5)]
So little girl that's why I'm tellin' you
Take my love, take my money
But don't you dare break my heart in two
Or he's gonna get you (He's gonna get you)
He's gonna get you (He's gonna get you)

[Chorus: Jackson 5 + Jermaine]
The Boogie Man's gonna get you
If you're messin' around in the dark
Playin' with my love and affection
That ain't smart, no that ain't smart, oh

[Bridge]
Look out, look out, here he comes, there he is, run
The Boogie Man will get ya
The Boogie Man will get ya
The Boogie Man's gonna get ya (If you're a bad girl)
The Boogie Man's gonna get ya (Don't make me sad girl, oh)
Here he comes, here he comes, here he comes, here he comes, woo

[Chorus: Jackson 5 + Jermaine]
The Boogie Man's gonna get you
If you're messin' around in the dark
Playin' with my love and affection
That ain't smart, no that ain't smart, oh
The Boogie Man is gonna get you (I'm crazy about you, baby)
If you're messin' around in the dark (I'm crazy 'bout your love)
Playin' with my love and affection
That ain't smart, no that ain't smart, oh

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

Skywriter/Get It Together

From the albums

The Jackson 5 popular songs

The Boogie ManThe Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Skywriter/Get It Together