I Gotta Be Me

Here's a tune originally meant for a Broadway sequel in the late sixties. Eventually Berry Gordy gave it to Sammy Davis Jr(listen to it Here). Michael Jackson among a handful of Motown roosters have covered it ever since. But no one came close to how Sammy did it.

 I can understand why Michael's version never made the final selection of "Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5". If only Motown waited until puberty.

I Gotta Be Me Lyrics

Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I gotta be me

I'm Glad It Rained

 I'm utterly surprised at this being an outtake. Believe this would've been great on "ABC". Michael Jackson's beautiful voice shines through this Bubblegum tune.

Jackson 5 Lyrics

J5 "Everybody Is A Star"

 A cover from Sly And The Family Stone(listen to the original Here). The Jackson 5 certainly picked it up a notch. However, I feel Michael's preadolescent vocals didn't fit in very good(besides his backups). Just thought it too high-pitched for this gourmet funkedelic tune. Otherwise, The Jackson 5 have definitely outdone Sly and The Family Stone!



Lyrics

EVERYBODY IS A STAR Lyrics

Who would rain and chase the dust away
Everybody wants to shine
Who comes out on a cloudy day
'Til the sun that does you proud
When the system tries to bring you down
Every hand to shine tonight
You don't need darkness to do what you think is right
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
EVERYBODY IS A STAR
I can feel it when you shine on me
Oh, I love you for who you are
Not the one you feel you need to be
Ever catch a falling star
Ain't no stopping 'til it's in the ground
EVERYBODY IS A STAR
One big circle going round and round
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
Ooh, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa (Shine, shine, shine, shine)

Coming Home

 An outtake from The Jackson Five studio album "Maybe Tomorrow".
Michael's voice-box start going through the first birth-pangs of change.

Lyrics

Sun is in the sky
Shining everywhere
But I don't see the light
And no one seems to care
That's why I'm packing up again
Gotta leave this empty life
Got a ticket in my hand
So look for me tonight
Baby, I'm coming home, coming home
Coming home (Baby, won't you leave on the porchlight)
So happy I'm coming home, coming home
Where I belong
Baby, I ain't too proud to get on my knees
To tell you how I miss you
To tell you how I miss my baby
You can say hello (You can say hello)
And make me feel alive (Make me feel alive)
Ooh, Heaven only knows (Heaven only knows)
Happy tears will fill my eyes
Oh, you can turn away
And make me wanna cry
Tell me it's too late
But I got to know I tried
That's why I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Ooh baby, I'm coming home (Baby, won't you leave on the porchlight)
So happy I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Where I belong (With you, baby)
(I belong with you, baby)
(Back to you)
Baby, life ain't been so good to me
Gonna tell you what it's like girl (Life without you)
I want you, need you
So baby, I'm coming home, coming home
Back where I belong
So baby, won't you leave on the porchlight
(Coming home) Look out your window
(Coming home) Coming 'round the corner
(Coming home) Out to your doorstep
Ooh baby, I'm coming home, coming home
Back where I belong
(Coming home, coming home, coming home)
(Coming home, coming home, coming home)

J5 "Can't Get Ready For Losing You"

 A Rendition to Willie Hutch's 1973 classic(listen to his version Here). Michael Jackson also covered "I Wanna Be Where You Are" from him.
Eventually, Willie Hutch became their producer in place of Bobby Taylor.



Lyrics | Can't Get Ready For Losing You lyrics

You Ain't Giving Me What I Want

 "You Ain't Giving Me What I Want So I'm Taking It All Back" was a Jackson 5 outtake meant to be on "ABC". but was cut out at the very last minute. The name originally went by "A, B, C, & D".

 From Michael Jackson's strong high-pitched vocals to the remarkable harmonies, I'm shocked to say another priceless track has been left to collect dust on the shelf.

Jackson 5 "Ask The Lonely"

 Covered from a hit by "The Four Tops"(listen to it Here) in 1964. It ultimately failed to receive a spot on The Jackson Five "ABC" album. But resurfaced on two of their compilations "Motown Superstars Sing Motown Superstars" and "Soulstation".



Lyrics | Ask The Lonely lyrics