The Jackson 5, later known as The Jacksons, was formed in 1964 and consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson, who are all members of the Jackson family.
This musically gifted group is recognized as the first African American performers to garner a crossover following. They also became the first musical group to debut with four consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Having sold an impressive 150 million records, The Jackson 5 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980. Their iconic songs, including “I’ll Be There,” “ABC,” and “I Want You Back,” were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 1997, The Jackson 5 celebrated their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On September 16, 2024, Tito Jackson’s family shared the heartbreaking news of his passing through an Instagram post:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Tito Jackson is no longer with us,”
They concluded the post with the poignant reminder:
“It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another’. We love you, Pop.”
In remembrance of this Rock & Roll legend, this article highlights the most popular Jackson 5 songs of all time.
I Want You Back, ABC, and Other Iconic Songs by The Jackson 5
This list is ranked based on Spotify streams at the time of writing this article.
1) I Want You Back (951,290,235 Spotify streams)
This pop and soul track, initially considered for Gladys Knight and Diana Ross, became the group’s first national hit. “I Want You Back” topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Charts.
The song expresses themes of longing and regret from a man who now wants his girl back after taking her for granted. The first verse encapsulates this sentiment:
“When I had you to myself, I didn’t want you around/ Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd/ But someone picked you from the bunch, one glance was all it took/ It’s much too late for me to take a second look,”
2) ABC (403,191,216 Spotify streams)
Upon its release in 1970, “ABC” dethroned The Beatles’ “Let It Be” as the number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. This bubblegum soul hit topped the Soul Singles chart for four weeks and has sold over four million copies worldwide.
The song likens budding romance to learning the alphabet, as reflected in the catchy chorus:
“A, B, C/ Easy as 1, 2, 3/ Or simple as Do-Re-Mi/ A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, baby, you and me, girl,”
3) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (301,840,234 streams)
This classic holiday song spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s special Christmas chart, with “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” becoming a staple radio request during the festive season.
This R&B Christmas anthem, which was also covered by Mariah Carey, captures the joyful anticipation of Christmas and the arrival of Santa. The first verse and chorus convey this excitement:
“You’d better watch out/ You’d better not cry/ You’d better not pout/ I’m telling you why/ Santa Claus is comin’ to town,”
4) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (193,984,930 Spotify streams)
The Jackson 5 also recorded a cover of this classic Christmas song by British songwriter Tommie Connor in their 1970 holiday album, becoming one of the best-known versions alongside that of the Ronettes.
This festive tune peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and tells the amusing tale of a child who spills the beans about his mother’s encounter with Santa Claus.
The bridge of the song goes:
“I did! I did! I really did see Mommy kissing Santa Claus/ You gotta believe me! You just gotta believe me! / Come on, fellas, believe me! / You just gotta believe me! (I told you, I told you)/ Come on, you gotta believe me! I did!”
5) I’ll Be There (148,114,965 Spotify streams)
“I’ll Be There” became the Jackson 5’s fourth consecutive number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This soulful ballad made The Jackson 5 the first group to achieve four back-to-back number-one singles, establishing them as the first Black male group to do so.
The song describes a promise of unwavering support in a loving relationship, where the male vows to always be there for his partner. The first verse by Michael Jackson expresses this beautifully:
“You and I must make a pact/ We must bring salvation back/ Where there is love, I’ll be there (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),”
The enduring musical legacy of The Jackson 5 includes a multitude of achievements, millions of records sold, and timeless hits that continue to resonate with listeners around the globe.
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