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I Want You Back
The Jackson 5
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- Album
- Greatest Hits
- Released
- 1971
- Genres
- motown, christmas
- Length
- 2:58
- Tempo
- 98 BPM
- Label
- Motown
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About this song
The Jackson 5's 1969 debut single for Motown, it became the first of four consecutive number one hits. It was originally written as "I Want To Be Free" for Gladys Knight & the Pips, but Motown boss Berry Gordy chose to give it to his newest signees, and it was produced by The Corporation, a songwriting and production team Gordy assembled. The group debuted it on national television, and it reached number one on the Billboard charts within a few months and became a worldwide hit.
What it's about
The song uses upbeat music to hide a desperate lyric. After ending a relationship, the narrator realizes too late how much he valued his girl and cannot stop her from finding another man.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 43 other songs, like “.ONE.MORE.CHANCE. by Yung God Ro”.
- Covered 58 times, including “I Want You Back (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, November 1, 1970) by Bobbie Gentry”.
- Written by Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell, Berry Gordy and Deke Richards.
- Produced by The Corporation, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards and Berry Gordy.