The Jackson 5

Released: March 16, 1971

Songwriter: Clifton Davis

Producer: Hal Davis

Never can say goodbye
No no no no
Never can say goodbye

Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try to hide my feelings
They always seem to show
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no
Tell me why is it so

That I never can say goodbye
No no no no
Never can say goodbye

Every time I think I've had enough
I start heading for the door
There's a very strange vibration
Piercin' me right to the core
It says, "Turn around you fool
You know, you love her more and more"

Tell me why is it so
Don't wanna let you go
I never can say goodbye girl
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no

Ooh oh
I never can say goodbye girl
Ooh ooh
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, ooh

Never can say goodbye
No, no, no no
I never can say goodbye

I keep thinkin' that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But there's that same unhappy feeling
And there's that anguish, there's that doubt
It's the same old dizzy hang up
Can't do with you or without

Tell me why is it so
Don't wanna let you go

I never can say goodbye girl
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, ooh

Oh, I never can say you goodbye girl
Ooh
I never can say you goodbye
No no no, no no no ooh

I never can say goodbye girl
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, ooh, ooh

I never can say goodbye girl
Ooh

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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