The Jacksons had left Motown for CBS/Epic Records in 1975 for creative control over their own music. On their debut for the label, they did two of their own tracks. By the next year, on their Goin' Places album, there is a little diddy called "Different Kind of Lady." All five of the bros are credited for the creation of this gem, hence, the beginning of the Jacksons sound.

The Jacksons first compositions to show up on record (not counting M.D.L.T. Willis) were in 1976. They'd been composing material since 1972, but Motown ... well, you all know the story.




DIFFERENT KIND OF LADY: The Jacksons (1977)


-The first of the Jackson riff. By all of the bros.
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THINGS I DO FOR YOU: The Jacksons (1978)


-Very similar to "Different Kind of Lady" more produced. Also by all the bros.
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SHAKE YOUR BODY (DOWN TO THE GROUND): The Jacksons (1978)


-The ultimate 'Jacksons riff' song. Michael and Randy take over for this one.
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DON'T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH: Michael Jackson (1979)


-The biggest hit by the riff with Quincy on top. Mike alone (with help from Randy)
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WORKIN' DAY AND NIGHT: Michael Jackson (1979)


-Another, this one from Mike.
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LOVELY ONE: The Jacksons (1980)


-"Shake Your Body, pt II." You can here that and "Different kind of Lady" on this tune. Mike and Randy at the helm for this tune also.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL: The Jacksons (1980)


-Mike solo on a Jacksons record.
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WANNA BE STARTIN' SOMETHIN': Michael Jackson (1982)


-It's back, on another Mike record. Song was originally for 'Off the Wall.'
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BODY: The Jacksons (1984)


-Marlon takes over for this Jacksons single.
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ALL MY LOVE TO YOU: Janet Jackson (1984)
http://www.imeem.com/marl...ve-to-you/

-Marlon is back, this time producing for baby sis Janet.
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ANOTHER PART OF ME: Michael Jackson (1987)


-The last appearance of 'the Jacksons sound'.
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If there is any other songs I missed out on, feel free to let your voice be heard.

That about covers it especially on the Jacksons group material.

I love 'The Things I Do For You'! Very EW&F-esque

You forgot this one

Timmy84 said:

Damn, this song is hot to trot!! The chorus sounds kinda familiar, though.

Cool, I wasn't even thinkin' about the unreleased cuts.

As far as the first few examples, MJ wrote in his book in 1988 that certain songs were definitely an extension of previous ones, whether intentional or accidental.

ernestsewell said:

Which songs?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

He refers to working day and night "being an extension of something I'd said before" (things I do for you).

If Another Part Of Me is this riff, then Dangerous also has to be. Subtle but definately in there. Especially considering the identical elements, "you're just another part of me" and "you're no damn lover friend of mine"

Can't forget these 2:

harbars said:

No, that's not what I said at all.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

ernestsewell said:

LOL, i'm not talking about what you said, rather what was stated in moonwalk. 'He' being MJ.

harbars said:

ha!


something else i noticed about the "JACKSON SOUND" is that their rhythm guitars are normally fast and stutter around the beat

Shango said:

This picture always startled and sadden me. It perfectly illustrates Michael's personality from his brothers. Whereas his brothers are looking directly into the camera, giving off confident grins, Michael is the only one looking away nervously and he's in the back too. Plus, this was the picture that was on the front of the sleeve of their 1978 lp, Destiny. And we all know about some of the songs on that classic. That's one deep picture though!

silverchild said:

talk about over analyzing a picture

silverchild said:

It's one of probably a dozen taken at that moment.

MJ is far from "nervous". A split second in time gives you no real indication of what was going through someone's head. I think your assessment is way off. Randy has his arm's cross, does that mean he's all pissed off at something? He's wearing a hat, does that mean he's in silent solidarity with MJ wanting to get away from the J5? Jackie isn't looking right at the camera either. Is he unhappy?

See how silly it is?

Nah, MJ just didn't know the camera flashed when the picture was taken.

Yeah, maybe I was overexaggerating... I feel bad now!

silverchild said:

Thanks for the music!
It takes me back!

silverchild said:

No sweat

harbars said:

That quote is referring to the lyrics, not the music. WDAN and TIDFY have the same theme.

mimi07 said:

I think this thread is somewhat over anayzed. The Jacksons had their sound like all groups do. The horn arrangements, particularly the riffs and breaks, was the main thing that separted their sound form MJ's solo work. A lot of the song are going to be arranged in the same key signatures where Mike is in the pocket. The structure of the song is going to be alike a lot of times, like Prince's songs 1979-1981.
Basically what I'm saying is all Jackson songs sound similar
Did I just over analyze that?

Really good example of this is the "shake a body (demo)" from the ultimate collection - which is a early treatment of the main riff of shake your body. Mike actually kicks it off with the initial element of Things I Do For you.

After I first saw this thread, I was thinking about what somebody said about Marlon ripping off the riff of "Wanna be Starting Something" for his sons "Body". (At I think it was in this thread). That reminded of "Don't Stand Another Chance" on Janet Jackson's Dream Street and the break in the middle that also sounds a lot like Wanna Be Starting Something. Marlon also produced this song...

Lovesexy82 said:

I don't here it.

Really? Maybe I'm mistaken, but I swear I heard it. But, I will listen to the song again, to make sure I'm not crazy (which is a possibility).