Released: May 8, 1970

Songwriter: George Gordy Allen Story

Producer: Hal Davis

You better make a way for the young folks
Here we come and we're so alive
We're here for business buddy and don't want no jive
Brighter tomorrows are in our eyes

You better make a way for the young folks
Yeah yeah yeah yeah!
We say yes and you say no
We ask you why and you close the door

My old friend, I thought you knew by now, yeah
You can't do that to the young folks, oh
No no no no!
You might no like it, but I've got to tell you
I've got to tell you, oh yeah...
You better make way for the young folks
Ooo, yeah....

We're marching with signs
We're standing in lines, yeah, yeah
Protesting your rights
To turn out the lights in our lives
Here's the deal, accept it if you will
We're coming on strong, yeah
It's our turn to build

My old friend, I thought you knew by now, yeah
You gotta make a way for the young folks
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You may not like it, but I've got to tell you
I've got to tell you, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
You better make a way, you better make a way
You gotta make a way for the young folks, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, ooh
You may not like it but I've got to tell you
I've got to tell you, na na na na

The Jackson 5

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

Soulsation!