Here we are with little Michael experiencing his first taste of stardom. With four consecutive Jackson 5 singles reaching #1. First comes I Want You Back to start out the 70's. Just five months later ABC and The Love You Save shared top Billboard spots during the following Summer. It was when Autumn rolled by that "I'll Be There" leaped right onto the number one spot! Never before had a group scored 4 hit-One right after the other! Experimenting with new sounds, Berry Gordy ditched "The Corporation" for a peculiar combination of Bob West, Willie Hutch, and Hal Davis. Together they wrote a Funky Ballad scantily similar to "Reach Out (I'll Be There).
I believed this proved Michael Jackson was more then a mere Bubblegum sensation. Try listening to this in acappella.
How fitting it was to have "I'll Be There" selected as the initial track off of the Third Album.
Lyrics
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)
And oh, 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, holding on, holding on)
Yes I will, yes I will
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, well that's all I'm after
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
(I'll be there)
I'll be there to protect you
(Yeah baby)
With an unselfish love I respect you
Just call my name and I'll be there
(I'll be there)
And oh, I'll be there to comfort you
(I'll be there)
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 there)
I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on
(Holding on, holding on, holding on)
Yes I will, yes I will
If you should ever find someone new
I know he'd better be good to you
'Cause if he doesn't, I'll be there
(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)
Just look over your shoulders, honey, ooh
I'll be there, I'll be there, whenever you need me, I'll be there
(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)
I'll be there, I'll be there
