The Jackson 5 released ‘I’ll Be There,’ their fourth number-one hit in a row – following ‘I Want You Back,’ ‘ABC’ and ‘The Love You Save’ – on 28 August 1970. The next day, Michael Jackson turned 12. This sudden maturation of MJ, of his brothers, and of The Jackson 5 sound can all be heard in ‘I’ll Be There.’
A tender Motown ballad, ‘I’ll Be There’ eschews the up-tempo funk of past singles in favor of a slower, gentler pace, while documenting the newfound challenges of growing up: namely, grieving a lost relationship, yet still retaining hope for the future and mutual respect for others. Naturally, the song was another commercial success, but also proof that The Jackson 5 and MJ were here to stay.
Download your FREE sheet music for ‘I’ll Be There’ today. This version has been transcribed for piano and vocals and is based on an arrangement from the ‘MJ the Musical’ live show, which premiered on Broadway on 6 December 2021.
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Fun Facts About ‘I’ll Be There’ by The Jackson 5
- In his autobiography Moon Walk, Michael Jackson stated ‘I’ll Be There’ was one of the most important songs of his career, proving The Jackson 5 could transcend the bubblegum pop sound.
- ‘I’ll Be There’ was the most successful single released by The Jackson 5. It sold over 4.2 million copies in the United States and 6.1 million copies worldwide. It was also the most successful single on Motown at the time of release.
- Numerous artists have covered ‘I’ll Be There,’ including Andy Williams and Mariah Carey. Her version, which also went to number-one, helped reignite public interest in the song two decades after its release.
- ‘I’ll Be There’ was performed as part of the ‘Jackson 5 medley’ during all of Michael Jackson’s solo tours.
This song was transcribed for Piano and Vocals by Tunescribers team member Gina R.
