Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 5 weeks ) & R&B (#1 for 6 weeks); 1970
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Legend – and Motown press releases – claimed that Diana Ross discovered the Gary, Indiana family group known as The Jackson 5. In truth, Bobby Taylor, leader of Motown group The Vancouvers (Does Your Mama Know About Me #5 R&B, 1969), first spotted the boys when they opened for him after winning a nightclub talent contest. Label owner Berry Gordy needed some new hitmakers, so he pulled out all the stops for his latest signing. The Motown writers, producers, and musicians delivered an astounding four #1 R&B and Pop Jackson 5 singles within nine months. Whereas the first three hits were infectious kid-pop confections, number four, I’ll Be There, was an adult ballad. Bob West had written the song originally, however, Gordy didn’t like the lyrics. So producer Hal Davis called on Willie Hutch at four in the morning to rewrite it, Ninety minutes later Hutch was done and the Jackson 5 had their biggest-ever hit.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Hal Davis
Lyrics Written by:
- Berry Gordy
- Bob West
- Hal Davis
- Willie Hutch
Awards:
- Nominated for the 1993 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).
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