Similar Albums:
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1972 01
- Total Time: 75:11
- Genre: Rhythm & Blues
Review
Riding high on the wild success of the Jackson 5, Motown ringleader Berry Gordy assembled every single notable production team member and songwriter in his arsenal to contribute to the solo debut of the J5's boy wonder, Michael. By the time Got to Be There was released, much had changed in the Jackson dynamic, none the least Michael's voice. But this album launched three chart singles: a cover of the bubblegum classic "Rockin' Robin," Leon Ware's "I Wanna Be Where You Are," and the title track. As a cohesive album, Got to Be There is wildly erratic, and his covers of "You've Got a Friend" and "Ain't No Sunshine" show Jackson's versatility as a singer. It was a world away from the politically charged sound of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and the introspection that would later grace some of the best works of Stevie Wonder. But Got to Be There kept Gordy as king of the sound of young America -- at least for a few months longer. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Ain't No Sunshine | Bill Withers | Michael Jackson | (4:09) |
| I Wanna Be Where You Are | T-Boy Ross, Leon Ware | Michael Jackson | (3:00) |
| Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me | Willie Hutch | Michael Jackson | (3:46) |
| In Our Small Way | Michael Jackson | (3:34) | |
| Got to Be There | Michael Jackson | (3:23) | |
| Rockin' Robin | Jesse Thomas | Michael Jackson | (2:30) |
| Wings of My Love | Michael Jackson | (3:32) | |
| Maria (You Were the Only One) | Michael Jackson | (3:41) | |
| Love Is Here and Now You're Gone | Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland | Michael Jackson | (2:51) |
| You've Got a Friend | Carole King | Michael Jackson | (4:53) |
