HOF Inductee No. 8: "The Love You Save," Jackson Five

The Jackson Five began their career with four consecutive number one hits:  "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." The next two singles after that could only eke their way up as high as #2: "Mama's Pearl," and "Never Can Say Goodbye." Four chart-toppers, then two near-chart-toppers. Earworms all. And if you had to pick one to be the initial Jackson entrant into the Earworm Hall of Fame, the choice is easy. "Stop / The love you save may be your own / Darling, take it slow / Or someday you'll be all alone".

The Jackson Five really were misnamed. Yes, there were five brothers. All with the surname "Jackson." But they really were the Jackson One, with four of his brothers. Even at age 11, the Jackson Five were all about the youngest brother on stage, Michael. Not only did he have serious vocal chops at that very young age, he had stage presence. As can be seen from the lip-synched clip from the "Ed Sullivan Show," even at a very young age he commanded the stage. His brothers were his supporting players. Without Michael, with Jermaine in the lead, the Jacksons would have had hit records, but their career would have looked more like the Five Stairsteps, another group of soul singing siblings from 1970, than the Michael-led Jackson Five.

Michael's vocal skills at even that young age are evident from the fact that only two of those initial six mega-hits have been covered. Michael's vocals are so sophisticated, so difficult, so soulful, even as a pre-teen, that there is no point in even trying to re-do "Mama's Pearl," or "ABC," or, the subject here, "The Love You Save." Graham Parker made a credible stab at "I Want You Back." And Gloria Gaynor and Isaac Hayes did very different takes on "Never Can Say Goodbye." And everybody's done "I'll Be There," although most non-Jackson version are very weak tea. But Jackson songs belong to the Jacksons and no one else.

"I Want You Back" started the whole Jackson family thing. "Mama's Pearl" is Michael's best, most difficult to emulate, vocal. "I'll Be There" spent five weeks at #1 and was the Jackson's biggest hit as a family act. But great as those songs may be, none are more catchy than the sing-along "The Love You Save."