The Jackson 5, “Never Can Say Goodbye” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 103^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Never Can Say Goodbye,” originally performed by The Jackson 5.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 103^rd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Never Can Say Goodbye”, originally performed by 🎙 The Jackson 5.

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“Never can say goodbye / … No, no, no, no I / Never can say goodbye.” 🎵 “Never Can Say Goodbye” is a beloved soul classic, period.  The original recording by iconic Motown family group, 🎙 The Jackson 5, was a huge success. 🎙 Michael Jackson and company saw “Never Can Say Goodbye” top the R&B charts and peak at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s easy to hear why this 🎼 ✍ Clifton Davis performed so well on the charts.

“Even though the pain and heartache / Seems to follow me wherever I go,” a 12-year-old Michael Jackson sings in the first verse, continuing, “Though I try and try to hide my feelings / They always seem to show.” Even if the romantic vibes – the love pain and heartache – of “Never Can Say Goodbye” feel the slightest bit young for a pre-teen, there’s just something special about hearing that boyish lead on this surefire highlight from 💿 Maybe Tomorrow (1971).

Final Thoughts 💭

With Michael Jackson receiving awesome vocal support of his brothers, “Never Can Say Goodbye” is 1970s Motown at its best, period. “It says, ‘Turn around, you fool / You know you love her more and more.” That just might by the line to beat on this marvelous throwback gem!

🎙 The Jackson 5• 💿 Maybe Tomorrow • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

The Jackson 5, “Never Can Say Goodbye”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 103 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, Motown, The Musical Hype]