Classic Pop Icons

This week’s Song of the Week is the Jackson 5 ballad “I’ll Be There” which hit number one in the US forty years ago today. The song was also the lead track on the Jackson 5’s “Third Album” which was released in September 1970.

The Jackson 5 were already hugely successful by the time “I’ll Be There” was released, with three number one singles and two number one albums behind them. The release of this song as a single can be seen as a departure for the group, which had thrived to date on upbeat pop material such as “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” It would prove a wise decision, resulting in the Jackson 5’s biggest ever hit and Motown’s best selling song until eclipsed by “Endless Love” in 1981.

Authorship

“I’ll Be There” was written by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis, and Willie Hutch.

Recording date/location

“I’ll Be There” was recorded at Hitsville West, 1011 N. Fuller Ave., West Hollywood, California in the summer of 1970.

Musicians

Although the Jackson 5 did play their own instruments on stage, in the studio their backing was generally provided by the legendary Motown house band, The Funk Brothers, or members of The Wrecking Crew when recording in Motown’s Hitsville West studio in Los Angeles, as was the case with “I’ll Be There.” Some sources do credit the Funk Brothers as having played on the single though, so if anyone can clear that up please leave a comment below.

Michael Jackson and his brother Jermaine performed lead vocals on “I’ll Be There.” Jackie, Tito and Marlon provided backing vocals.

On stage, Jermaine played bass, Tito was on lead guitar, Johnny Jackson (no relation) was on drums and Ronnie Rancifer played keyboards.

Chart performance

“I’ll Be There”, backed with “One More Chance”, hit number one on the US pop chart on October 11, 1970 and remained there for five weeks. This was the Jackson 5’s fourth number one single in a row and would be their last. It reached number four in the UK.

The album on which “I’ll Be There” appeared, “Third Album”, hit number four on the US album chart.

Covers

Mariah Carey – “I’ll Be There”

The only notable cover is by Mariah Carey and R&B singer Trey Lorenz. This was performed as part of Mariah’s MTV Unplugged show, which was taped on March 16, 1992 and aired on May 26, 1992. The song was released as the first single from her EP “MTV Unplugged” and hit number one for two weeks in the US. It was also Mariah’s biggest hit to date in many countries, including a number two spot in the UK.

Mariah also performed the song at Michael Jackson’s memorial on July 7, 2009.

There will be a new Song of the Week on October 18.

“I’ll Be There” is available on a number of Jackson 5 compilations, including the recent 2-CD “Icons: The Jackson 5”.

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