The Jackson 5 – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing

Opening track on the Jackson 5’s album, Lookin’ Through The Windows, issued in May 1972 in the US and October 1972 in the UK.

It was released as the B-side of Skywriter, a single released in the UK in 1973, peaking at no.25.

The original version, by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terell, featured on thier 1968 duets album, You’re All I Need. The single topped the R&B charts in the US for three weeks; also charted at no.8 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 and no.34 in the UK.

Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing – Lyrics

Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain’t nothing like the real thing, no, no
Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
(Ain’t nothing)
Ain’t nothing like the real thing

Ooh, I’ve got your picture
Hanging on the wall
But it can’t see or come to me
When I call your name
(When I call your name)
I realize it’s just a picture in a frame

I read your letters
When you’re not near
But they don’t move me
And they don’t groove me
Like when I hear
(When I hear your voice)
Your sweet voice
Whispering in my ear
(In my ear)

No other sound is quite the same
As your name
(Quite the same as your name)
Your touch can do half this much
To make me feel better
So let’s stay together

Ooh, I got memories to look back on
Though they help when you’re gone
I’m well aware
(I’m well aware)
Nothing can take the place of your being there
(Being there)

Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
(Ain’t nothing)
Ain’t nothing like the real thing
Ooh, baby
Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
(Ain’t nothing)
Ain’t nothing like the real thing

Ooh, baby
Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain’t nothing like the real thing