THE JACKSONS - BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE / SHAKE YOUR BODY (DOWN TO THE GROUND) / SHOW YOU THE WAY TO GO

BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE

Released : September 8, 1978  

Charted:  UK: #8  US: #54

"Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight, don't blame it on the good times. Blame it on the boogie."

Though the lyrics don't really make an awful lot of sense, The Jacksons' classic 'Blame It On The Boogie' has been filling dance floors for over forty years. That's despite not having even written it themselves, it was in fact another Jackson that wrote the song: a man called Mick Jackson. He wrote it for Stevie Wonder originally and he was asked by Global records, Munich to record the track himself. At the 1978 Midem Music Festival in Cannes, France it was played for the first time and a member of The Jacksons entourage was there searching for tracks. He was amazed by the name coincident and was impressed by the track itself. He secretly taped it and went back to the States so the band could record it as quickly as possible before Mick's version was released. 

There was a race to release the tracks, it was called "The Battle of the Boogie" in the newspapers and it was perfect press material: two Michael Jacksons, two versions of "Blame It On The Boogie". The songs were out within days of each other and it was one of the rare occasions in the modern day that artists charted the same time with the same song. Some fans preferred Mick Jackson's more soulful version and others the more uptempo Jackson's version. Mick Jackson's version reached #15 in the UK and #61 in the US.

A promotional music video by the Jacksons was created for "Blame It on the Boogie" in 1978. The video, featuring the group's members dancing on a black background, relied heavily on electronic trail effects? Also history tells us that "Blame It On The Boogie" has become the group's signature song and their greatest.

SHAKE YOUR BODY (DOWN TO THE GROUND)

Released : March 1979

Charted:  UK: #4  US: #7

In this disco-funk groove, The Jacksons have their eyes on a girl who's playing hard to get and try to get her to loosen up on the dance floor. It was released as the second single from their 13th studio album, “Destiny”, following their cover of "Blame it on the boogie". The album was truly a family affair, with the brothers writing and producing all of the music for the first time. "Shake Your Body" was written by Michael Jackson and younger brother Randy Jackson, with Michael on lead vocals. 

The Jacksons got down with the advent of disco with 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) in 1979, so much so that they recorded an 8-minute version to be played in discotheques at the time. Of course, it's the radio edit we're all more familiar with because of the song's infectious melody and lyrics over its insatiable beat. It was a return to form for The Jacksons, who reached the top ten of charts around the world for the first time after leaving Motown Records in 1976.

Greg Phillinganes hadn't done much arranging before he was brought on to work on the “Destiny” album. He was a session keyboardist who was discovered as a teenager by Stevie Wonder and debuted on Wonder's 1976 album, “ Songs in the key of life”. Colomby convinced him to try his hand at arranging with The Jacksons, and Phillinganes hit it off with Michael - he was invited to work on The King of Pop's solo albums and became his musical director.

Cash Box said it has a "rippling rhythm section, solid beat and stunning chorus" but that Michael Jackson's vocals are the "centerpiece". Record World said it has an unusual arrangement and "has a bit of gospel in the beat and features Michael Jackson's high, distinct vocals."

SHOW YOU THE WAY TO GO

Released : March 1977

Charted:  UK: #1  US: #28

“Show You The Way To Go” is a song written by Gamble and Huff and recorded by the Jackson for their 1976 Epic debut album. Released as a single in early 1977, it was the only number one song for the group in the UK.

The shift from the Jackson 5 to the Jacksons was a result of the group splitting from Motown in 1975 due to issues over creative control and royalties. They signed to Epic and started a variety series, that helped re-ignite the group's music career. This was off the group's first album under their new name, which was a success, although not as much as their previous efforts. Jackson Five’s hits had always just missed out on the UK #1. “Show You The Way To Go” got it and became the group's only chart-topper in the UK.

Michael Jackson sang lead and background vocals, he has a great voice period. Unique and soulful in front of the Gamble and Huff production team, this single brings some wonderful soul. Disco was good to Michael Jackson: it came along at just the right time for the child star to cut the glorious forcefulness and find a voice and style that could carry him along. Jackson realised that the unwavering beat of disco left room for doubt and hurt even while the dancing went on, and on “Show You The Way To Go” you can hear him developing that trademark agonised quaver, that pleading squeak which would take him higher than anyone.