"I'll Be There" is a song by American pop band The Jackson 5, released as the first track from the Third Album. It was released as a single on August 28, 1970, serving as the lead single from the album.
Michael Jackson cited the track in the early 1970s as one of his three favourites he recorded for Motown, along with "ABC" and "Never Can Say Goodbye".
Background[]
"I'll Be There", recorded in June 1970, was hastily re-worked by Willie Hutch in 1970, after Hal Davis contacted him in the middle of the night. Motown CEO Berry Gordy liked the title, but not the song itself, and he wanted it finished for a recording session the following morning.
Hutch stayed up all night, working on "I'll Be There", before presenting it to Gordy at 8:00 AM; now pleased with the new rendition, Gordy ordered Hutch into the studio to arrange the The Jackson 5's vocals.
Live performances[]
"I'll Be There" was performed at all of The Jackson 5's tours by. Some of the most notable performances include the Motown 25 performance, all of Michael's solo performances of the song at his world tours, and the 30th Anniversary Celebration.
The final time Michael himself performed the song was during the 2009 This Is It rehearsals. Meanwhile, as The Jacksons reunited in 2012, they have been performing "I'll Be There" as a part of their tours ever since.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I’ll be there
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
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 holding on
Holding on, holdin On
Yes I will, yes I will
[Verse 3]
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is all I’m after
Whenever you need me
I’ll be there
[Verse 4]
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
[Chorus]
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 holding on
Holding on, holdin On
Yes I will, yes I will
[Verse 5]
If you should ever find someone new
I know he better be good to you
’Cause if he doesn’t
I’ll be there
Don’t you know, baby, yeah, yeah
[Outro]
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Just call my name and I’ll be there
Just look over your shoulders, honey
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Whenever you need me
I’ll be there
Don’t you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Just call my name
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Gallery[]
![Vinyl (side a)[1]](/wiki/File:Illbetherevinyl_1.jpeg "Illbetherevinyl 1.jpeg (113 KB)")
![Vinyl (side b)[1]](/wiki/File:Illbetherevinyl_2.jpeg "Illbetherevinyl 2.jpeg (86 KB)")
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"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the I'll Be There gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- "I'll Be There" was featured in the Jackson 5ive episode, Pinestock U.S.A., in 1971 and used as the closing for The Jacksons TV series in the US in 1976 and 1977.
- An adult solo version of "I'll There" by Michael was rumored to be featured on the shelved Decade compilation album. However, Brad Sundberg debunked the rumors, since Michael decided to pass on the idea when approached about it.
- Mariah Carey covered "I'll Be There" alongside Trey Lorenz, for the former's show, MTV Unplugged. The two sang the track again at Michael's memorial service as a tribute to him.[2]