The Jackson 5 – I Wanna Be Where You Are: A Yearning for Connection
In the annals of American music, few acts have captured the hearts of audiences quite like The Jackson 5. Their youthful energy, infectious melodies, and Michael Jackson’s phenomenal vocals propelled them to superstardom in the early 1970s. Among their early hits, I Wanna Be Where You Are stands out as a song brimming with youthful yearning and a testament to the power of connection.
Background
Released in 1972, I Wanna Be Where You Are marked a pivotal moment in The Jackson 5’s career.
Following a string of Motown hits with a more bubblegum pop sound, this song showcased a burgeoning maturity in their music. It reached number seven on the Cash Box chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, solidifying their place as a versatile group capable of delivering soulful ballads alongside upbeat dance tunes.
The song’s narrative revolves around a young man’s pining for someone special. The lyrics, penned by Arthur “T-Boy” Ross and Leon Ware, capture the universal emotions of missing a loved one and the desire for connection.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Can it be I stayed away too long?Did I leave your mind when I was gone?It’s not my thing trying get backBut this time let me tell you where I’m atYou don’t have to worry cause I’m comin’Back to where I should have always stayedAnd now I’ve heard the maybe to your storyAnd it’s enough, love, for me stayCan it be I stayed away too long?Did I leave your mind when I was gone?Well, it’s not my thing trying get backBut this time let me tell you where I’m atI wanna, wanna be where you are, oh ohAnywhere you are, oh ohI wanna wanna be where you are, oh ohEverywhere you are, oh ohPlease don’t close the door to our futureThere’s so many things we haven’t triedI’m gonna love you better than I used toAnd give you all the love I have insideI wanna wanna be where you are, oh ohAny any anywhere you are, oh ohI wanna wanna be where you are, oh ohI gotta gotta be where you are, oh oh