Maps of Music

Third Album (1970)

Where the lyrics of Third Album take you, and where it was really made.

Third Album came out in 1970, yet in some countries it is known by the name of its No. 1 single, "I'll Be There."

Place unknown

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Third Album is the third studio album by American pop band the Jackson 5.
Released on September 8, 1970 by Motown.
Produced by The Corporation and Hal Davis.
Features the group's fourth consecutive No. 1 single on the US pop charts, "I'll Be There".
Also includes the Top 5 single "Mama's Pearl".
Album tracks such as the semi-autobiographical "Goin' Back to Indiana" and "Darling Dear" round out the set.

Released while the group was on a run of consecutive US pop No. 1 singles.
The track listing has 11 songs, including "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)".
Credits for "I'll Be There" go to Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis and Willie Hutch.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is credited to Paul Simon.
"The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" is credited to Smokey Robinson.
"Goin' Back to Indiana" and "Mama's Pearl" are credited to The Corporation.
In some countries the album is known as "I'll Be There".
The release is considered one of the group's best efforts.

1	I’ll Be There	4:00
2	Ready or Not (Here I Come)	2:35
3	Oh How Happy	2:17
4	Bridge Over Troubled Water	5:53
5	Can I See You in the Morning	3:10
6	Goin’ Back to Indiana	3:34
7	How Funky Is Your Chicken	2:42
8	Mama’s Pearl	3:09
9	Reach In	3:29
10	The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage	4:23
11	Darling Dear	2:38

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.

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.

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).

AllMusic's Lindsay Planer rated Third Album four out of five stars.
Planer said the album keeps the unmistakable Motown sound while widening it slightly to take in other significant influences.
Planer also said a few of the tracks are worthwhile listens.

The Wikipedia article describes the release as one of the group's best efforts.
Some critics regard the bass line on "Darling Dear" as one of the best of all time, performed by James Jamerson.

The track listing includes "Bridge Over Troubled Water", credited to Paul Simon.
Smokey Robinson is credited as the writer of "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage".
In some countries the album is known under the name "I'll Be There".
"Goin' Back to Indiana" is credited to The Corporation, the production team that also worked on the album.