The Jackson 5

Released: April 12, 1971

Songwriter: Pam Sawyer Jerry Marcellino Mel Larson

Producer: Hal Davis The Corporation

[Verse 1: Michael]
You hold me close to you, my baby
But somehow it doesn't feel the same
You built the wall so high between us
And you tell me that you haven't changed, oh

[Chorus]
Tear down the wall that I can feel between us
The hidden wall that hides the real love
Tear it on down, tear the wall down
Tell me my love has got the strength to take it
Tell me what's wrong, we'll make it
Tear it on down, yeah, tear the wall down

[Verse 2: Michael]
I thought I really knew you, baby
Almost the way I know myself
But now you're actin' like a stranger
And you've changed, girl, to somebody else, oh baby

[Chorus]
Tear down the wall that I can feel between us
The hidden wall that hides the real love
Tear it on down, tear the wall down
Oh, tell me my love has got the strength to take it
Tell me what's wrong, we'll make it
Tear it on down, yeah, tear the wall down, ooh
Tear down the wall that I can feel between us
The hidden wall that hides the real love
Tear it on down, yeah, tear the wall down, oh...

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

The WallThe Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Maybe Tomorrow