“I Want You Back” is a classic soul and pop song performed by The Jackson 5. It was the debut single for the group, released in 1969. The song marked the beginning of The Jackson 5’s successful career and showcased the remarkable talent of a young Michael Jackson as the lead vocalist.
Background: “I Want You Back” was written and produced by the Corporation, a team of Motown songwriters and producers. The song is about a young man expressing regret and pleading for a second chance after realizing he took his partner for granted. The energetic and infectious melody, combined with Michael Jackson’s soulful vocals, contributed to the song’s widespread appeal.
Commercial Success: The song was a massive commercial success for The Jackson 5. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it their first chart-topping single. “I Want You Back” also achieved success internationally, solidifying The Jackson 5’s popularity on a global scale.
Legacy: “I Want You Back” is considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Its catchy chorus, energetic instrumentation, and Michael Jackson’s charismatic performance contributed to its enduring popularity. The song has been covered and sampled by various artists and is frequently included in retrospectives of Motown and pop music history.
The Jackson 5: The Jackson 5, later known as The Jacksons, was a Motown group consisting of the Jackson siblings. Michael Jackson, the youngest member, went on to become one of the most iconic figures in the history of popular music. “I Want You Back” marked the beginning of their successful career, and the group continued to produce hit songs throughout the 1970s.
When I had you to myself, I didn’t want you around
Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch, one glance was all it took
Now it’s much too late for me to take a second look
Oh, baby, give me one more chance (To show you that I love you)
Won’t you please let me (Back in your heart)
Oh, darlin’, I was blind to let you go (Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms (I want you back)
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
Na, na, na, na (I want you back)
Tryin’ to live without your love is one long sleepless night
Let me show you, girl, that I know wrong from right
Every street you walk on I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl, I didn’t even want around
Let me tell you now
Oh, baby, give me one more chance (To show you that I love you)
Won’t you please let me (Back in your heart)
Oh, darlin’, I was blind to let you go (Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
A buh buh buh buh
A buh buh buh buh
A buh buh buh buh
A buh buh buh buh
A buh buh buh buh
Oh, baby, give me one more chance (To show you that I love you)
Won’t you please let me (Back in your heart)
Oh, darlin’, I was blind to let you go (Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
Oh, baby, give me one more chance (To show you that I love you)
Won’t you please let me (Back in your heart)
Oh, darlin’, I was blind to let you go (Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)