Meaning of “ABC” by The Jackson 5

“ABC” is a song by the American music group The Jackson 5 (also known as The Jacksons). The lyrics of “ABC” simply compare the process of learning how to love someone to learning the English alphabets. In the song, the narrator assumes the role of a teacher who tries teaching his love interest all about love.

Facts about “ABC”

• The song wasn’t penned by The Jackson 5 or any member of the group. “ABC” was written by a group of songwriters and music producers from Motown records called The Corporation. The Corporation was made up of four songwriters, including the founder of Motown record label Berry Gordy. The other three members of The Corporation were Deke Richards, Alphonso Mizell and Freddie Perren. This group of songwriters was responsible for writing and producing some of the most notable songs from The Jackson 5.
• In addition to penning this track, The Corporation also handled its production.
• “ABC” was released officially on February 24, 1970 as the first single from The Jackson 5’s second studio album titled ABC.
• This track, which is one of Jackson 5’s signature songs, was one of the most successful singles of the early 1970s. It peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
• With a length of about 2 minutes and 55 seconds, this track became of the shortest songs to hit the number 1 spot on the Hot 100 in the 1970s.
• Michael Jackson was barely 12 years old when this song was released.
• In 2005, the track was included in the list of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
• The American hip hop group Naughty by Nature sampled this song in their 1991 hit “O.P.P.“.

Films “ABC” has been featured in

Since the song’s release in 1970, it has appeared in a number of films, including the 2003 comedy film Daddy Day Care starring Eddie Murphy. It was also used in the 2006 comedy film Clerks II.

Has “ABC” won a Grammy Award?

In 2017, “ABC” was honored with an induction into the prestigious Grammy Hall of Fame.

What music genre(s) does this track fall into?

It can be grouped into the following: disco, soul, and bubblegum pop.