The Jackson 5 - Ask The Lonely

Originally recorded by the Jackson 5 in 1970, but remained unreleased until 1983, when a remixed version appeared on the Motown compilation, Motown Superstars Sing Motown Superstars.

The album also included a version of Michael's I Wanna Be Where You Are, performed by Thelma Houston. Liner notes incorrectly stated 'originally released by the Jackson 5'.

The original version was then included as one 19 'Rare & Unreleased' tracks of the fourth CD of the Michael/Jackson 5 box-set, Soulstation!, released in June 1995 in the US and July 1995 in the UK - a demo version is known to exist.

The song was originally recorded by the Four Tops, for their eponymous 1964 album. They took the song to no.9 on the R&B singles chart, and no.24 on the Hot 100 in the States in 1965.


Ask The Lonely - Lyrics

(Ask the lonely, ask the lonely)
(Just ask the lonely)
(Ask the lonely)
(Just ask the lonely, baby)

When you feel that you
Got the strength to make it on your own
People let me tell you now
That no one here will get the love
To make it on their own
You tell 'em Michael

Just ask the lonely
They know the hurt and the pain
'Cause losing a love you can never, never regain

(Ask the lonely, ask the lonely)
(Just ask the lonely)
(Ask the lonely)
(Just ask the lonely, baby)

The young and foolish laugh at love
Oh, it will slowly run away
Confident and sure that faith
Will bring another love their way
Somehow, someday
Tell 'em Mike

Just ask the lonely
How many a heart can yearn
For losing a love that will never, never return

(Ask the lonely) Yeah (Ask the lonely)
(Just ask the lonely)
(Ask the lonely, ask the lonely)
(They'll tell you) They'll tell you, yeah
Yes they will, baby (Just ask the lonely)

They'll tell you a story of sadness
A story too hard to believe
They'll tell you the loneliest one is me, yeah
Yes, I'm lonely

(Ask the lonely, baby)
All you got to do is ask me
'Cause I'm so lonely
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am, oh baby

They'll tell a story of sadness
A story too hard to believe
They'll tell you the loneliest one is me

(Ask the lonely, ask the lonely) The lonely one is me
(Ask the lonely) The lonely one is me
(Just ask the lonely, baby)
Ask me, yeah, ask me
I'm the loneliest one, I'm the loneliest one
You will see