Skywriter is one of the more overlooked and under appreciated albums in/out of the Jackson 5 discography and catalog. Dancing Machine is one of the more overlooked and under appreciated albums next to Goin’ Places, and Lookin’ Through the Windows. When people mention the Jackson 5, they hardly ever mention this album. This was the last of the “bubblegum pop” albums for the Jackson 5.
Michael’s vocal chords were changing since he was going through puberty at the time. He was struggling to sing the higher notes on many of the songs. You tell by how he avoided singing the higher notes. Some songs were transposed to a lower key to prevent his voice from cracking.
Jermaine did not have as much of a vocal presence on this album as he did with the Dancing Machine album. Jermaine served more as a background instrumentalist for this album with Marlon and Tito.
The Jacksons were getting weary and getting tired recording music for Motown. The Jacksons were getting upset with Motown not letting them write their own songs. Not only that, they were upset with the low sales of the Skywriter album.
This Jacksons album has a mixture of dance songs and love ballads that move the dance floor and erupt in the bedroom. Michael and have more of a vocal presence on this album particularly than any of their other albums.
The Boogie Man is piano driven boogie pop song about the Boogie Man who get girls for messing with men’s hearts. The piano serves as the boogie portion of the song while the beats serve as the pop portion of the song.
Michael tells the girl he loves not to break his heart in two. He tells her playing with his love and affection is not smart. He tells her, “So little girl that’s why I’m tellin’ you. Don’t you dare break my heart in two or he’s gonna get you. The Boogie Man’s gonna get you if you’re messin’ around in the dark. Playin’ with my love and affection. That ain’t smart.”
Hallelujah Day was a peace song about how the US Army was sending troops home from the country of Vietnam and the end of the Vietnam War. The song served as a reference to the end of the Vietnam War.
Children gather around now. Clap your hands and sing. Sing along with the Jackson 5. That old sun is shining down. Soon the bells are gonna ring. The American soldiers drafted to Vietnam are coming home. Can’t you see that ray of hope? Somebody finally saw the light. They’re gonna send our brothers home. It’s gonna be alright now. Sing hallelujah.
Lyrics to Verse 1 and Verse 2 are a reference to the end of the Vietnam War.
[Verse 1]
Children gather ’round now
Clap your hands and sing
That old sun is shining down
Soon the bells are gonna ring
Yes they will now
Can’t you see that ray of hope
Somebody finally saw the light
They’re gonna send our brothers home
It’s gonna be alright, yeah
[Verse 2]
People come together
Let the good times roll
We can make this last forever
If you feel it in your soul
Somebody found the key
Somebody opened up the door
Now there’ll be dancing in the street
This is the day we’ve been waiting for, oh
People come together to let the good times roll. We can make this last forever if you feel it in your soul. Somebody found the key and opened up the door. Now there’ll be dancing in the street. This is the day we’ve been waiting for. People come together. Let the good times roll. We can make this last forever.
You Made Me What I Am is a song where the members of Jackson 5 show appreciation and give credit to their fans for making them what they are today. The song is a “thank you” to all Jackson 5 fans across the world.
The fans stuck with all the members of Jackson 5 through thick and thin. They helped push Michael and Jermaine right up to the top of the Billboard Charts in several countries. The fans made Jackson 5 what they are today. Fame and fortune haven’t changed their names. Success is costly no doubt. A friend in need is a friend indeed. They know who their friends and fans are.
I rate this album 5/5*****!
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