The Jackson 5

Released: September 8, 1970

Songwriter: Marv Tarplin Smokey Robinson

Producer: Hal Davis The Corporation

[Verse 1]
There you were, beautiful
The promise of love was written on your face
You led me on with untrue kisses
You held me captured in your false embrace
Quicker than I could bat an eye
Since you were telling me goodbye

[Chorus]
Oh, just a minute ago your love was here
All of a sudden it seemed to disappear
Sweetness was only heartaches camouflage
The love I saw in you was just a mirage

[Post-Chorus]
You promised that happiness we'd forever share
But all I have are memories of love that was never there

[Verse 2]
We use to meet in romantic places
You gave the illusion that your love was real
Now all that's left are lipstick traces
From the kisses you only pretended to feel
And now our meetings you avoid
And so my world you have destroyed

[Chorus]
Oh, just a minute ago your love was here
All of a sudden it seemed to disappear
The way you wrecked my life was like sabotage
The love I saw in you was just a mirage

[Post-Chorus]
You brought me up just to throw me down
You left me and my dreams shattered all on the ground

[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, you only filled me with despair
By showing love that wasn't there
Oh, just like the desert shows a thirsty man
Green oasis where there's only sand
You lured me into something I should have dodged
The love I saw in you was just a mirage

[Post-Chorus]
To you I gave true love from deep within
You made me hungry for your love when it was no deeper than your skin

[Chorus]
Just like the desert shows a thirsty man
Green oasis where there's only sand
You lured me into, into something I should have dodged
The love I saw in you was just a mirage, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh
Just like the desert shows a thirsty man
Green oasis where there's only sand
You lured me into something I should have dodged
The love I saw in you was just a mirage, ah, ah, ah
The love I saw in you was just a mirage
The love I saw in you was just a mirage
Just like the desert shows a thirsty man
A green oasis, uh-huh, where there's only sand...

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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The Love I Saw in You Was Just a MirageThe Jackson 5

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Third Album