The Jackson 5

Released: April 12, 1971

Songwriter: Sylvia Moy Richard Morris

Producer: Hal Davis The Corporation

It was there on my grandma’s farm
Where the grapes grew high on the vine
Yeah, that’s where we first met little girl

But you ain’t gonna amount to nothing
Cause you ain’t gonna work for nothing
Without you I ain’t good for nothing, honey chile
Oh honey chile, you’re sure about to drive me wild

And I love you so, can’t let go now honey chile
Oh, sugar chile, I’d walk me a country mile
Just to be with you if that were true but honey chile

You don’t act like a lady
Cause you’ve been courting Davie
Its reputation shady oh honey chile
Hey you even went out with Callie
That night across the alley
Oh, I’ve been keeping tally honey chile

You’re like grapes upon the vine
That went in Granny’s wine
Cause like that home-made wine so sweet
You’re sure enough driving me out of my mind now

Your friends with every playboy
Using me for a play toy
You ruined my pride and joy now honey chile

Oh honey chile, sure about to drive me wild
And I love you so, can’t let go now honey chile
Oh, sugar chile, I’d walk me a country mile
Just to be with you if that were true of honey chile

Why don’t you put on your shoes little girl
Then I can kiss you
Oh listen here now

One day I’m gonna get stronger
And I won’t need you no longer
This feeling will be gone oh honey chile

Hey, I can’t take disgracing
That ain’t the way Grandma raised me
You’re gonna hurt me crazy honey chile

Hey, sugar chile, I’d walk me a country mile
Just to be with you if that were true of honey chile
Hey honey chile, sure about to drive me wild
And I love you so, can’t let go now honey chile

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

Maybe Tomorrow

From the album

Maybe Tomorrow (1971)

The Jackson 5 popular songs

Honey ChileThe Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Maybe Tomorrow