I'll Be There - Jackson Five (1970) 7/31/21

The Jackson Five started the '70s by blasting onto the scene with FOUR #1 hits in a row! So far, we've highlighted the first 3:

"I Want You Back" on 1/30/20:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/143864717086984

"ABC" on 7/2/20:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/191263262347129 "The Love You Save" on 9/16/20:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/211286780344777

Today's we're highlighting their 4th!

"I'll Be There" was their first ballad to hit #1 and it stayed at #1 on the Hot 100 for an entire month in 1970. It also spent SIX weeks at #1 on the Soul Chart, and became the group's all-time best seller, with over 6.1 million records sold worldwide!

Music critics praised Michael for the maturity he brought to his lead vocal, which is especially amazing since he had just turned 12 the day before the song was released! (Jermaine sang second lead.)

There is absolutely NO DOUBT that "I'll Be There" by The Jackson Five is a "Great Song of the 70s!"

And there is absolutely no doubt that it was also a "Great Song of the '90s" thanks to Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz.

Their duet was recorded live during Mariah's MTV "Unplugged" special in 1992, and when it was released as a single, it was a hit heard 'round the world!--making the Top 10 in 11 countries, and reaching #1 on multiple charts in 8 countries--including the US and Canada!

The critics went nuts, using words like "breathtaking," a "revelation," and "astonishingly restrained and soulful." They weren't wrong.

Anytime two of the biggest hitmakers in the history of pop music can garner reactions, praise--and record sales--like The Jackson Five and Mariah Carey did with "I'll Be There," it proves lightning can strike twice when you're performing a "Great Song!"

The Jackson Five (1970):

Mariah Carey with Trey Lorenz (1992):