“ABC” / “The Young Folks” – Doyle’s Space: Music Hall of Fame – SOS Award

Released by Motown on February 24, 1970, “ABC” backed with “The Young Folks” was the Jackson 5’s second major-label single and the follow-up to their sensational debut smash, “I Want You Back.” Rather than merely trying to repeat that success, Motown deliberately refined the same winning formula.

The song was written and produced by The Corporation, Motown’s elite songwriting and production team consisting of Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, and Alphonzo Mizell. By pairing an irresistibly catchy melody with Michael Jackson’s exuberant lead vocals and the polished harmonies of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, and Marlon,

the record became another instant classic. Recorded in late 1969 in Los Angeles, the song was released several months before the group’s second album, ABC, and confirmed that the Jackson 5 were not simply a one-hit wonder but a genuine musical phenomenon capable of producing consecutive chart-topping hits.

The song’s central idea is one of pop music’s simplest and most effective metaphors. Rather than presenting love as something complicated, the lyric compares it to learning the alphabet and basic arithmetic, insisting that affection should be as easy as “A-B-C” or “1-2-3.” The playful educational imagery perfectly matched Michael Jackson’s youthful voice,

making the record appealing to children while remaining infectious for adult listeners. The arrangement combines bubblegum pop with soul, featuring bright piano, driving bass, crisp drumming, handclaps, layered harmonies, and an energetic call-and-response structure that became a Jackson 5 trademark. Although the album version runs under

three minutes, the commercial single featured a slightly longer mix, while later radio edits and compilation releases introduced additional timing variations. Numerous remastered editions have appeared over the decades, but the original Motown single remains the definitive version. Commercially, “ABC” became an even greater triumph than many expected.

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1970, where it remained for two weeks, while also spending four weeks atop Billboard’s Best Selling Soul Singles chart. Famously, it replaced the Beatles’ “Let It Be” at No. 1 on the Hot 100, an extraordinary achievement for a group whose members were all teenagers. The single reportedly sold more than two million copies in the United States during its initial release period

and has since exceeded four million copies worldwide. It became the title song of the Jackson 5’s second album and helped establish one of the most remarkable streaks in pop history, as the group’s first four Motown singles all reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and was later

inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its enduring historical significance. It has consistently appeared on lists of the greatest pop and soul recordings of the rock era and remains one of the defining recordings of both the Jackson 5 and Motown Records. Over the years, “ABC” has been covered by numerous artists spanning pop, rock, jazz, children’s music, and television casts.

Perhaps the best-known remake was released by the Australian group The Wiggles, whose version introduced the song to a new generation of young listeners. The original recording has also appeared in countless films, television programs, commercials, and sporting events, while its memorable hook has been sampled and interpolated by hip-hop artists, most notably Naughty by Nature on “O.P.P.”

The song’s universal appeal lies in its joyful optimism, irresistible rhythm, and Michael Jackson’s astonishingly mature vocal performance despite being only eleven years old when it was recorded.

The B-side, “The Young Folks,” provided an interesting contrast. Written by George Gordy and Allen Story and produced by Hal Davis, it was originally recorded by Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1969 as the B-side of their single “No Matter What Sign You Are” before appearing on their Cream of the Crop album. Rather than being an original Jackson 5 composition,

it was a Motown reinterpretation of an existing song from within the label’s catalog, a common practice at the company during that era. The Jackson 5 version retained the upbeat soul flavor of the original while allowing the brothers to showcase their smooth group harmonies and polished vocal blend instead of relying almost exclusively on Michael’s lead voice.

Although “The Young Folks” was never promoted as an A-side and consequently received little radio airplay, it became familiar to fans through the hit single and its inclusion on the ABC album. Today it is appreciated as one of the stronger deep cuts from the group’s early Motown period and demonstrates the remarkable depth of material the label routinely placed on the reverse side of its biggest hits.

Several interesting bits of trivia surround the single. Motown did not routinely credit its studio musicians during this period, although later research identified many of the accomplished Los Angeles session players who performed on the recording. “ABC” was one of the earliest songs to cement Michael Jackson’s reputation as a once-in-a-generation child vocalist, with critics marveling at his confidence,

phrasing, and emotional delivery. The song’s cheerful message has made it a staple at schools, family events, and celebrations for more than five decades. It remains one of the Jackson 5’s signature recordings and an enduring example of Motown’s ability to combine brilliant songwriting, flawless production, and unforgettable performances into timeless popular music.