Maps of Music
Lookin' Through the Windows (1972)
Where the lyrics of Lookin' Through the Windows take you, and where it was really made.
Michael's voice starts changing on this album, moving from the boy soprano of the early hits toward the tenor who would later succeed as a solo artist.
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Overview
- Lookin' Through the Windows: sixth studio album by the Jackson 5
- Released on the Motown label in May 1972
- Has sold 3.5 million copies worldwide
- Penultimate Jackson 5 album to include any songs written by the Corporation
Background
- Lead singer Michael's vocal change begins with this album
- His early hits featured a boy soprano; by this album his voice was filling out and he could also reach lower registers while keeping his high notes
- Two hit singles came from the album: 'Little Bitty Pretty One' and 'Lookin' Through The Windows'
- Jermaine released his first solo album two months after this one
Recording
- Most of the album tracks were recorded in late 1971
- The songs were first intended for an album built around the hit single 'Sugar Daddy'
- Arrangers: James Anthony Carmichael, John Bahler, the Corporation, Eddie Munson, H.B. Barnum, Arthur G. Wright and Gene Page
- Motown did not disclose the studio musicians on most Jackson 5 records until 1974
- The album's musicians are presumed from Motown session players known for 1972: bass Wilton Felder and Ron Brown, guitar Don Peake, Louie Shelton and David T. Walker
Cover
- Photo by Jim Britt
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org
Tracklist
| 1 | Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing | 2:28 |
| 2 | Lookin’ Through the Windows | 3:40 |
| 3 | Don’t Let Your Baby Catch You | 3:13 |
| 4 | To Know | 3:22 |
| 5 | Doctor My Eyes | 3:12 |
| 6 | Little Bitty Pretty One | 2:48 |
| 7 | E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe (The Choice Is Yours to Pull) | 2:53 |
| 8 | If I Have to Move a Mountain | 3:17 |
| 9 | Don’t Want to See Tomorrow | 2:39 |
| 10 | Children of the Light | 2:29 |
| 11 | I Can Only Give You Love | 2:31 |
Sources: musicbrainz.org
Artist
Formation
- Formed in Gary, Indiana, in 1964 as the Jackson Brothers, managed by father Joe Jackson.
- Original lineup: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
- Among the first African American performers to build a following across multiple genres.
Members
- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson; Randy joined in 1975 when the group became the Jacksons.
- Michael Jackson's solo career became the most successful of the brothers.
Career
- Signed with Motown in 1968 and became the first group to debut with four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There".
- Achieved seventeen Top 40 singles on the Hot 100 within five years.
- Left Motown for Epic Records in 1975–1976 and renamed themselves the Jacksons, releasing albums including Destiny and Triumph.
- Reunited in 1983 for Motown 25 and released Victory in 1984; Michael and Marlon left the group afterward.
- Sold over 150 million records worldwide.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Continued to tour as the Jacksons, including the Unity Tour (2012–2013).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Released by Motown in May 1972 as the Jackson 5's sixth studio album
- Captures Michael's vocal change from boy soprano toward tenor, as his voice filled out and reached lower registers
- Two hit singles: 'Little Bitty Pretty One' and 'Lookin' Through The Windows'
- 'Doctor, My Eyes' became a Top 10 hit in Europe
- Jermaine's first solo album followed two months later
Records
- Peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart
- Has sold 3.5 million copies worldwide
- Penultimate Jackson 5 album to include songs by the Corporation (Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards and Fonce Mizell)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- Motown did not disclose the studio musicians on most Jackson 5 records until 1974
- In 2001 Motown remastered the album in a 'Two Classic Albums/One CD' series, paired with Goin' Back to Indiana
- Bonus tracks: 'Love Song', the B-side of the title track single, and a live 'Who's Lovin' You' first heard on the soundtrack of the 1992 TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream
- 'Doctor, My Eyes' was a Top 10 hit in Europe
- Jermaine's first solo album came out two months after this one
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org