I'll Be There

Album

Our Version of Events

Label

Motown

Genre

Soul

Composer(s)

Berry Gord;Bob West;Willie Hutch;Hal Davis

Entered Chart

Sep 19, 1970

Peak Date

Oct 17, 1970

Released

August 28, 1970

Recorded

June 1970 Studio Hitsville West (Los Angeles)

Catalog #

Motown 1171

B-Side

One More Chance

In this song, a man tells his former lover that he will always be there for her, and that even if she finds someone new, she can always go back to him. This statement of unconditional fealty makes it one of the more touching and romantic songs of the era, sweetened by the innocence of Michael Jackson's voice - he was just 11 years old when he recorded it. Michael Jackson is on the lead vocal, with his brother Jermaine coming in on the bridge ("I'll be there to comfort you..."). This was typical division of vocal labor in the group - their voices provided a nice contrast. Backed by the Motown machine and the prodigious talents of Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5 went to #1 on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts with their first four singles, starting with "I Want You Back" in 1969. Two more uptempo songs came next: "ABC" and "The Love You Save," followed by "I'll Be There," their first hit ballad. The group never landed another #1 on the Hot 100, but stayed on the charts throughout the '70s (they became "The Jacksons" in 1976). Michael Jackson had his first #1 as a solo artist with "Ben" in 1972, then reached new heights with his albums Off The Wall (1979) and Thriller (1982). Four different writers, each with a very different role, are credited as composers on this song. The first rendition was written by Bob West, an associate of Hal Davis, who set up the Motown office in Los Angeles. Davis teaked the song, then had another songwriter, Willie Hutch, work on re-writing the lyrics. Davis pitched it to Motown boss Berry Gordy, who made his own changes and took a songwriting credit. Gordy also co-wrote the first three Jackson 5 hits, but with the team of Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell and Deke Richards, which he called "The Corporation." All of these early Jackson 5 songs were recorded in Los Angeles using session musicians from the area. Mariah Carey remade this in 1992. It was originally a last-minute addition to her MTV Unplugged setlist after she had been informed that most acts on the show commonly perform at least one cover. Carey's version was performed as a romantic duet, with her singing Michael Jackson's lines and an uncredited Trey Lorenz, who had provided background vocals on her Emotions album, performing Jermaine Jackson's part. Carey's label received numerous requests to release "I'll Be There" as a single after the MTV Unplugged special was aired. They did so and it went on to top the Hot 100 and several other charts including the ones in Canada, The Netherlands and New Zealand. The song also peaked at #2 in the UK. At one point, Michael hollers, "Just look over your shoulders, honey." He had been instructed by Berry Gordy to sing "just look over your shoulder" (as an allusion to what Levi Stubbs had said in The Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There"), but the fluffed line was allowed to remain in the final mix. To look over both shoulders at the same time would require an act of contortion. In 1975 Gloria Gaynor recorded a disco cover of this entitled "Reach Out, I'll Be There," which peaked at #14 in the UK and #60 in the US.

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 ooh, 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 holdin' on (holdin' on, holdin' on, holdin' on)
Yes I will, yes I will

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is 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 that respects you
Just call my name, and I'll be there (I'll be there)

And ooh, 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 holdin' on
Ooh ooh ooh
Yes I will (holdin' on, holdin' on)
Yes I will

If you should ever find someone new
I know he 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, 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
I'll be there, I'll be there (la la la la la la)
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Oh oh oh oh, I'll be there, I'll be there