The Jackson 5, “Who’s Lovin’ You” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 104^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Who’s Lovin’ You” 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 104^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Who’s Lovin’ You”, performed by 🎙 The Jackson 5. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“When I (when I) had you (had you) / I treated you bad / And wrong, my dear / And girl since / Since you went away…” These blues-laded lyrics, depicting heartbreak and regret, hail from a surefire, Motown classic, 🎵 “Who’s Lovin’ You”.  “Who’s Lovin’ You” was written by one of Motown’s most accomplished and iconic artists, singer/songwriter 🎙 🎼 ✍ Smokey Robinson.  Furthermore, the original version, was recorded by him and his collective, 🎙 The Miracles, commencing their 1961 album, 💿 Hi We’re The Miracles.  That said, even though this is Smokey’s song through and through, the definitive recording of this oft-covered song belongs to one 11-year-old unlike any other: 🎙 Michael Jackson.  Young Michael kills it on the lead of this 1969 🎙 The Jackson 5 masterpiece, which graces their album, 💿 Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.

Even though Michael Jackson was a mere kid singing about heartbreak, he sings it with an authenticity that transcends his youth and inexperience.  His tone is beautiful and mesmerizing.  Furthermore, his brothers do a bang-up job of supporting with soulful background vocals.  The updated production (🎛 Bobby Taylor) from the early 60s rendition easily breathes new life into a near-decade-old song.  The strings add drama, the groove cooks, and the bass line is EVERYTHING.  Furthermore, those vocal runs – the melisma – is a huge selling point.  Throw in Michael’s ad-libs, and “Who’s Lovin’ You,” a song filled with love pain, sounds like heaven on earth.  Such a talent! The best lyrics, of course, arrive on the chorus – among my favorites of all-time:

“Don’t you know I

Sit around

With my head hangin’ down

And I wonder

Who’s lovin’ you.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

I did mention this was Smokey Robinson’s song, didn’t I? Well, it no longer belonged to him after Michael Jackson got his hands on it! The Jackson 5 version will always be the definitive version – it’s timeless!

🎙 The Jackson 5 • 💿 Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1969

The Jackson 5, “Who’s Lovin’ You”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 104 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, Motown, The Musical Hype]