: It was originally written under the title "I Wanna Be Free" for Gladys Knight & the Pips and later considered for Diana Ross .
: The song is composed in A-flat major and is frequently cited by critics, such as those at Pitchfork, for having one of the best chord progressions in pop history. Chart Success and Cultural Impact 7. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
The single officially reached on January 31, 1970, displacing Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together". : It was originally written under the title
The song was the first project for , a specialized songwriting and production team formed by Motown founder Berry Gordy . The team also included Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, and Deke Richards. The song was the first project for ,
: After seeing the Jackson 5’s potential, Gordy redirected the track to the brothers, rearranging it to fit their high-energy, youthful style. Recording and Sound
: While the Jacksons were capable musicians, Motown utilized elite session players (including members of the Jazz Crusaders) to record the instrumental track before the brothers ever entered the studio.
Recorded between July and September 1969, "I Want You Back" was the first Jackson 5 track produced in rather than Motown's traditional "Hitsville U.S.A." in Detroit.
