The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There

* Produced by : Hal Davis
* Written and composed by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch and Bob West

Featured on the Jackson 5's Third Album, released in September 1970 in the US and February 1971 in the UK.

It was hastily re-wroked by Willie Hutch, after Motown producer Hal Davis contacted him in the middle of the night; Motown boss Berry Gordy liked the title but not the song, and he wanted it finished for a recording session the following morning. Hutch stayed up all night, working on the song, before presenting it to Gordy at 8.00am; pleased with the new song, Gordy ordered Hutch into the studio, to arrange the vocals for the Jackson 5.

It was issued as a single ahead of Mama's Pearl, when Berry Gordy decided a change of pace was called for.

It became the fouth no.1 from as many Motown releases on both charts in the US (R&B singles and Hot 100) - a new record at the time. Achieved no.4 in the UK.

It also became the no.1 best selling single of 1970 in the US, ahead of Simon & Garfunkel's classic, Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Estimated global sales: 6 million - good enough, at the time, to make it the second best selling Motown single of all time, after Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

It is cited by Michael, in the early 1970's, as one of his three favourite songs he had recorded for Motown, along with ABC and Never Can Say Goodbye.

It featured on the 'Pinestock USA' episode of the Jackson 5 cartoon series in 1971 and used as the closing for The Jacksons TV series in the US in 1976 and 1977.

Covered by numerous artists, one of which, Mariah Cary. Her version, from a MTV Unplugged session, featured uncredited vocals by Trey Lorenz, went all the way to no.1 on the Hot 100 in 1992 - also achieved no.11 on the R&B singles chart and no.2 in the UK.


I’ll Be There - Lyrics

You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I’ll be there
I’ll reach out my hand to you
I’ll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I’ll be there

I’ll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I’m so glad that I found you
I’ll be there with a love that’s strong
I’ll be your strength
I’ll keep holding on
Holding on, holdin On
Yes I will, yes I will

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is all I’m after
Whenever you need me
I’ll be there
I’ll be there to protect you, yeah baby
With an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name
And I’ll be there

I’ll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I’m so glad that I found you
I’ll be there with a love that’s strong
I’ll be your strength
I’ll keep holding on
Holding on, holdin On
Yes I will, yes I will

If you should ever find someone new
I know he better be good to you
’Cause if he doesn’t
I’ll be there
Don’t you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Just call my name and I’ll be there
Just look over your shoulders, honey
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Whenever you need me
I’ll be there
Don’t you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Just call my name
I’ll be there
I’ll be there