The Jackson 5 ~ I Want You Back 1969 Soul Purrfection Version

Back in 1969, Diana Ross was big news after her departure from The Supremes and Berry Gordy had big plans for her. Her first gig was presenting the sound of the new Motown, a five boy group from Gary, Indiana. "Diana Ross presents The Jackson 5" was the name of their first LP and it contained their first #1 hit "I Want You Back".
The song was written by Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell and Deke Richards, who were sitting around jamming when they came up with a song called "I Wanna Be Free" they thought would be good for Gladys Knight & The Pips.
The writers were on standby for an available studio to record the instrumental track and they were able to complete it in an hour and a half. Now, it was time for the vocals, maybe Diana Ross. They took the song to Gordy, who listened to the smokin' instrumental track, and realized that he needed to write some new lyrics for the song since it was going to go to a new addition to Motown, The Jackson 5.
His instincts were bang on! The song established the group and shored up Motown's stable of artists. The group would go on to have four consecutive #1 hits on the Hot100, and introduce a young superstar, Michael Jackson.
Their next three singles reached #1 for one week on the Hot100 were "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There". On the R&B charts, their first two #1 hits spent four weeks in the top spot, then "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" spent SIX weeks there and all in 1970.
In the year end listing for 1970, "I'll Be There" was the #1 selling single that year, "ABC" checked in at #8, in the #13 spot was "I Want You Back" and "The Love You Save" was the lowest entry of them all, but at a very respectable #15 for that year, an impressive showing where they fought it out on the charts with The Carpenters, The Partridge Family, The Beatles, The Guess Who and The Fifth Dimension.

[charlesjenkins]

This extended version of I want you back “ is like a musical dream I don’t wanna wake-up from! These legendary youngsters specialized in putting out dynamic music and this record perfectly exemplifies much of that soulful energy they were very well known for. This 1969 recording was of course their first nationally released hit single and then many more would follow. JERMAINE JACKIE MICHAEL MARLON and TITO….king’s from the very beginning!!

[johndoe]

I know most young people would now associate this song with a dancing baby tree in space today. I remember listening to this song on my Walkman siting on the step of my childhood house in the summer feeling the cold night air. Thank you for that memory DJDISCOCAT. Keep those hits coming.

[fabiojesus]

I get goosebumps listening to this song. I remember that my late mother loved them. Rest in peace, 3 years of missing you so much.

[jondishmonmusicandstuff]

From Gary Indiana and I was mesmerized by this group. They lived about two miles from me and the thought that they were doing this was exciting. I just had an epiphany that maybe that's why I became a musician. Who knows but my goodness.

[fabiojesus]

Without a doubt, they will go down in history.

[tanyakelly]

I was 5 yrs old I swear I was Michael Jackson when this song came out. The Jackson Five was a great group as I was growing up n saying I want to be in this industry

[treseurfelton]

5 when this came out !!!! Great Memories Wow Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane !!? RIH Micheal Jackson the King of Pop I Truly Miss You

[WilliamSpencer-hskz]

Coyote Calhoun introduced this on one of airchecks on WAKY 790 back then, bellowing out the title and all, I was all ears and thoughts it was great to imagine that.

[bonitanottingham]

Still jamming to the J5's I want you back! 2020 🎶 🎷🎸🎹🎺

[jeffreychandler]

Superb version, this particular song brings back memories of the J---5 from that era. A time when you could enjoy yourself as a preteen and appreciate all that is important to you. Golden memories of people who have guided us, and influenced our lives to this day. This is the "magical effect" from certain songs, such as this great song.

[TyroneEpps]

O.v. [in] motown album diana ross pre." The jackson 5ive"[1969]

[vivianvictory]

Oh baby give me one more chance! I love this!! I want you back Vecch!

[lindanewman]

I miss the group's singing. Jammed

[craigshores]

The song that started it all!!! Went to #1 in January 1970 and the rest is history. Quite simply, if you don’t like this song, ‘they somethin’ wrong with you’. And, in my opinion- THIS VERSION is the best I’ve heard!

[jamesmonroe]

The record that started it all for The Jackson Family-now given the D-Cat rejuvenation it so richly deserves-yet ANOTHER DiscoCat SUCCESS! This is POWER-PACKED with pop-soul groove!!!

[tanyakelly]

Also their first album Diana Ross present The Jackson Five Berry Gordy did this cause Miss Diana Ross was popular n they do this to sell albums. The person I heard that discover them was Gladys Knight who brought them to Motown

[jeffsmith]

I had a terrible day at work. I needed that, thank you

[ulrichjurgen]

Great Remix! Another One - Thank you so much. Still Waiting for "The Love you save"...

[chimbiroco]

Thanks man. You are a Nice company these days. Greetings from Chile

[marcjacobs]

Shaking in my chair again. Love the moving. Very natural and very kitty-like!