Released: May 8, 1970

Songwriter: William Hart Thom Bell

Producer: Hal Davis

[Verse 1]
Many guys have come to you
With a line that wasn't true
And you passed them by
Are you in the center ring
And their lines don't mean a thing
Why don't you let me try
Now, I don't wear a diamond ring
I don't even know a song to sing..

[Chorus]
All I know is la-la la-la la-la la-la la means, I love you
Oh, baby, please, now
La-la la-la la-la la-la la means, I love you

[Verse 2]
If I ever saw a girl
That I needed in this world
You are the one for me
Let me hold you in my arms
Girl, and thrill you with my charms
I'm sure you will see
The things I am sayin' are true
Listen to me...

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
The things I am sayin' are true
And the way I explain them to you
Yes, to you Listen to me

[Chorus]

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.