Peak
1
Weeks
13
Score
3,621
Chart Year
1970
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This was the third of four consecutive #1 hits for the Jackson 5, following their Motown debut "I Want You Back" and its follow-up, "ABC." After "The Love You Save", "I'll Be There" went to the top, giving the group a total of 10 weeks at the top in 1970. The first three were written and produced by a Motown collective known as "The Corporation": Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, Fonce Mizell, and Berry Gordy Jr. Gordy was head of the label and assigned them that name, which kept the focus on the team instead of the individuals within it - if one member deigned to leave, he could replace him. The song is about a girl who is moving through guys a little too fast. The singer wants her to slow down before she ruins her reputation. It's a theme that's been explored in pop songs before, but this time it's framed in a schoolyard because it's sung by Michael Jackson, who was 11 years old at the time. The soul singer Joe Tex had a minor hit in 1966 with a ballad called "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)," where he asks his girl to stop and get it right, because "the love you save may be your own." That phrase and sentiment were borrowed for the Jackson 5's "The Love You Save." When this went to #1 on June 27, 1970, the Jackson 5 became the first act ever to have their first three chart singles top the Hot 100. The song's writers kicked around many different ideas before settling on the lyrical theme. Early on, the lyrics concerned traffic safety. After some revisions, only the title and the line, "Darling, look both ways before you cross me" survived. Michael Jackson calls out the girl for carousing with four different guys, all of whom he names: Isaac (said he kissed you) Benjy (held your hand) Alexander (called you) Christopher (discovered you're way ahead of your time) The last two names are nods to historical figures children learn about in school. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and Christopher Columbus was often credited with "discovering" America. By this time, the Jackson 5 had a formula of Michael Jackson carrying the lead vocal with a bit of interplay from his brothers. In "The Love You Save," Jermaine gets a few lines in ("You better stop, girl"), and Tito does some bassy "bom bom bom" vocalizations. The Jackson 5 performed this, along with their previous two hits - "I Want You Back" and "ABC" - on The Ed Sullivan Show May 10, 1970.
Stop, you better save me Stop, stop, stop, you better save me, dear When we played tag in grade school You wanted to be it But chasin' boys was just a fad You crossed your heart you'd quit When we grew up you traded Your promise for my ring Now just like back in grade school You're doing the same old thing Stop, the love you save may be your own Darlin' take it slow or someday you'll be all alone Better stop, the love you save may be your own Darlin' look both ways before you cross me You're heading for a danger zone I'm the one who loves you I'm the one you need Those other guys will put you down As soon as they succeed They'll ruin your reputation They'll label you a flirt The way they talk about you They'll turn your name to dirt Oh Isaac said he kissed you Beneath the apple tree When Benjie held your hand He felt electricity When Alexander called you He said he rang your chimes Christopher discovered You're way ahead your time Stop, the love you save may be your own Darlin' take it slow or someday you'll be all alone Better stop, the love you save may be your own Darlin' look both ways before you cross me You're heading for a danger zone Hold on Hold on Hold on Hold on "S" is for save it "T" is for take it slow "O" is for oh no "P" is for please Please don't go The love you save may be your own Some day you may be all alone Stop it Save it, baby You better stop The love you save may be your own Please, please Or some day, some day, baby You'll be all alone I'm the one who loves you I'm the one you need Those other guys will put you down As soon as they succeed Stop the love you save may be your own You better stop it, stop it, girl Or someday you'll be all alone The way they talk about you They'll turn your name Turn your name to dirt Stop the love you save may be your own, Don't you know, don't you know stop baby you'll be all alone Those other guys will put you down As soon as they succeed
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 30, 1970 | 45 | 81 |
| 2 | Jun 6, 1970 | 15 | 111 |
| 3 | Jun 13, 1970 | 10 | 116 |
| 4 | Jun 20, 1970 | 2 | 124 |
| 5 | Jun 27, 1970 | 1 | 125 |
| 6 | Jul 4, 1970 | 1 | 125 |
| 7 | Jul 11, 1970 | 2 | 124 |
| 8 | Jul 18, 1970 | 2 | 124 |
| 9 | Jul 25, 1970 | 4 | 122 |
| 10 | Aug 1, 1970 | 6 | 120 |
| 11 | Aug 8, 1970 | 8 | 118 |
| 12 | Aug 15, 1970 | 17 | 109 |
| 13 | Aug 22, 1970 | 31 | 95 |