The Jackson 5

Released: September 21, 1973

Songwriter: Norman Whitfield

Producer: Norman Whitfield Hal Davis

[Verse 1]
Sunday morning I heard mama pray
From a room I heard her say
"Good Lord help my son find his way"
"Lord he's just a country boy"
"He thinks the world is great big toy"
There ain't nothin' he can't do
If he wants to

He got himself a part time job
Saved his money and bought him a guitar
Played from sun up to sundown, hey, hey, hey

(He don't wanna) Go to schoool no more
Don't do his household chores
But I must admit, the neighbors dig his sound
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(He's) Got some big ideas
He's talkin' 'bout leavin' here
Going to a place called New York City
And here's what he told me

[Chorus]
Mama, I gotta brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, (Yeah) I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go

[Verse 2]
Mama said, "My son, my son you're only sixteen"
"I know being a star is your dream"
"But I think it's time you stop all this foolin'"
"And get to your schoolin'"

Living in a state of frustration
Stop preachin' that education
'Cause this job is gonna make me a king
Above everything else, listen
Donned from head to toe
First class everywhere we go
Just give me a chance to do my thing

[Chorus]
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama (Got a burning down deep inside)
I got a brand new thing (I wanna see my name in lights)
Don't say no (Please, please, please, let me go)
Let me go (I can see it now)

[Verse 3]
Champagne and caviar
A black limousine, chauffeured car
Trips all around the world
And I'll have my choice of any girl
People lined up as far as you can see
Standing in line just to see me
Money stacking up to the sky
There ain't nothin' that we can't buy
Have a little faith in me
Mama I'm sure that you will see
That your son and his guitar are gonna go far

[Chorus]
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go

I got a brand new thing, I got a brand new thing
I got a brand new thing, I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing, I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing, I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing
(It's alright) I got a brand new thing

Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing
Tell me do you like my thing, tell me do you like my thing

If you like it, let me see you move
If you like it, let me see you groove
If you like it, let me see you move
If you like it, let me see you groove
Let me see you groove, let me see you groove
Let me see you move, let me see you groove
Let me see you move, let me see you move
Let's groove, let me see you move
Wait a minute, I believe I'm ready to get me some help now

We got a brand new thing, oh, we got a brand new thing
We got a brand new thing, oh, we got a brand new thing
Here it is!
Here it is!

[Chorus]
Mama (Yeah), I got a brand new thing, don't say no
(Don't say no) Let me go (Let me go, yeah)
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no (don't say no)
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go
Mama, I got a brand new thing, don't say no
Let me go

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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