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February 26, 2006
Josh's Songbook #1: The Jackson 5 - Who's Lovin' You?
I've been reading the Nick Hornby book Songbook. It's a book of short essays on some of Hornby's favorite songs. Hornby, of course, is a well-known music nut, having written the book High Fidelity, basis for the John Cusack movie, and writing frequent music reviews in between novels. (Incidentally, I usually read books based on reviews or recommendations, but High Fidelity is one of the few I have bought entirely based on browsing a bookstore and finding the write-up interesting. Hmm, why would a story about a guy who enjoyed re-arranging his record collection and making top 10 lists of songs have appealed to me...?)
Anyway, it's an interesting (and easy) read, since Hornby's a good writer, but it is a little disappointing that he seems to prefer to discuss his philoshophies of pop songs in generalities to the specific elements of the songs he chose that make them his favorites. Each essay contains 1 or 2 sentences about a line of lyrics or a solo phrase in the song, but that's it.
But of course it's inspired me to write about my favorite songs, and specifically what it is about those songs that makes them so great. Whether it's the guitar solo in Pink Floyd's Time, the drum break in Aretha's Rock Steady, or the 2-bar silence in Devin Davis' Deserted Eyeland, the best songs all have something - often lots of things - that make them the best.
And so, here's song #1 in the Josh Hornik Songbook:
The Jackson 5 - Who's Lovin' You? from Diana Ross presents The Jackson 5
(sound clip here)
Anyone who knows the song will know right away what 'the thing' is in this song. Michael Jackson, at age 10, recorded one of the greatest vocals ever in pop music. Clear proof that musicality (or, in this case, soul) is something you are born with and not taught. Basically, I have gone hoarse singing along to this song more than any other song in my collection (though all of Judas' songs from Jesus Christ Superstar are close). I have tried to learn every nuance of Michael's performance and match it note-for-note and vibrato-for-vibrato. Once in my college dorm, I finished a spirited version of the song only to open my eyes and find my friends outside my door, having witnessed the whole thing (and laughing mercilessly).
The song was written by Smokey Robinson and recorded first by The Miracles on their first album, but I think Smokey's version is a little tinnier and shallower than the J5 version. For the Jackson 5, the Motown producers smoothed out the background music with strings and classic Jackson 5 background vocals, which help bring depth. But mostly, the Jackson 5 version gains, amazingly, from a grittier, more desperate vocal by 10-yr. old Michael.
The opening is all anticipation. First, a tremendous blues organ riff leading to Michael's entrance, an elongated "wheeeeen" that finally leads into the opening of the song and the addition of drums, strings, a great funky bass and backing vocals. Michael wastes no time hitting the heights -- "When I had you, I treated you..." and on "bad" he hits a high note above everything, then brings it back down to the rest of the song. But you know there's no stopping him from then on.
I have to wonder if Michael Jackson was really that good, or if he just got lucky. He hits blue notes (slightly flat for effect) with perfection, and he seems to improvise the rhythms as well, coming in on the beat for one chorus while holding off for a beat on the next. Logic says that it must have been the producers telling him how to do it -- that no 10-year old kid could have just known to put that grunt, "huh", between "life without love" and "is oh so lonely" halfway through the song. But, cleary, this kid was something special.
The song climaxes with a vocal cadenza, almost unnecessary after 3 minutes of incredible vocals, but still great. But the great thing is that as the song fades out, Michael's still going, still improvising and hitting high notes and putting his soul into it.
Watch any episode of American Idol, then listen to this song, and you will hear the difference between vocal gymnastics for the sake of showing off, and soulful vocals for the benefit of an emotional song.
(PS - Besides this song, the first Jacksons album had a bunch of other great ones including the #1 hit I Want You Back and Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, with another unbelievable MJ vocal and more. Highly recommended.)
Posted by JoshHornik at February 26, 2006 11:15 AM