“The Jackson 5” The Love You Save Has A Secret

Stop-The Love you Save may be Your Own

"The Love You Save" was written and recorded in March of 1970 by "The Corporation." This group included Deke Richards, Alfonzo Mizell, Berry Gordy, and Freddie Perren. These men wrote hits for The Jackson 5 and other Mowtown artists.

"The Love You Save" reigned supreme on the music charts and even when Michael Jackson went solo, he often sang it during concerts. Life was so different then than it is today. Five decades ago teens wore bell bottom pants, hip huggers and hot pants. Afros were in style and young girls were screaming at concerts for the five Jackson brothers.

In May of 1970 this hit single was released and was number one on the R&B charts for six weeks. The song also held the number-one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart from June 27 to July 4, 1970. The recording went to number 7 on the UK Top 40 chart, in August of that year. The Love You Save is the third of four-back to back hits the singing sensations had in-a-row.

The other three songs were "I Want You Back", "ABC", and "I'll Be There". Billboard ranked The Love You Save as the No. 16 song of the year for 1970. Michael Jackson turned 12 the year he sang lead on this recording.

A secret code

Did you know the writers hid a secret meaning within the lyrics of the hit song? You may have been singing The Love You Save hundreds of times over the decades without realzing the hidden message. As Michael Jackson sings lead he reveals something pretty special near the end of the recording. The lyrics are as follows:

"Isaac said he kissed you

Beneath the apple tree

When Benjie held your hand he felt

E-lec-tri-ci-tee!

When Alexander called you

He said he rang your chimes.

Christopher discovered

You're way ahead of your times"!

Breaking the code

Did you figure it out? Isaac and the apple tree is a reference to Sir Isaac Newton who legend says discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head while he was underneath an apple tree. Bengie and electricity refers to Benjamin Franklin who discovered electricity.

Alexander ringing chimes is Alexander Grahm Bell who invented the telephone. Christopher discovered is Chris Columbus who found his wa to the new world. I could not believe that I had been enjoying this tune since 1970 and never figured this out. Neither had I heard anyone else mention it. I think this hidden meaning was really cute and ingenious.

The Jackson movie and the memories

My favorite version of The Love You Save is from the movie, "The Jacksons an American Dream." The actors are very good and they look and dance just like the famous family. When they are on stage singing this there is so much energy. The crowd goes wild when Randy joins his five siblings. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs and Angela Bassett standing to the side as Joe and Katherine watching their sons was heartwarming.

Sadly, Joe and Katherine were separated and Michael and Tito have now passed away. Joe died after Michael. The world is thankful to the Motown machine that kept their artists polished and on point. A special thanks to the "Corporation" for bringing the Jackson brothers to the world and for hiding that message within The Love you Save.

It's true Michael Jackson was the king of pop but there was something special even as an adult when he and his brothers were on stage together. That J5 magic will always be there.