I Want You Back
by The Jackson 5
released on the album Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 in
Music and Lyrics by Deke Richards, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy Jr. & Freddie Perren
Produced by Deke Richards, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy Jr. & Freddie Perren
Bass played by Wilton Felder
Transcription and Engraving by Peter Crighton
Published on
Piano played by Freddie Perren
Transcription and Engraving by Peter Crighton
Published on
Transcription and Engraving by Peter Crighton
Published on
![Thumbnail image for YouTube video: The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back [Bass]](https://creagtunes.com/media/pages/releases/the-jackson-5/i-want-you-back/bass-sheet/5787f07415-1778168719/thumbnail.webp)
Annotations
There is no video footage of Wilton Felder playing this song (or in fact, almost none at all of him playing bass, as he was more prominently known as a sax player), so I tried my best to analyse the original audio and recreate how I think he would have played it with regards to fret positions.
Annotations
The opening glissando was later overdubbed. You can still hear the punch-out on the tape in the final mix.
Additional resources
- Appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (1969)
- Appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, medley with “ABC” (1970)
-
Goin’ Back to Indiana TV special (1971)
I believe these TV appearances were at least partly pre-recorded and not played live. Not always enough microphones for everyone, and at least Jermaine Jackson on bass definitely does not play live. Interesting sources nonetheless.
-
Louie Shelton recalling the recording (2022)
One of the original guitarists, Louie Shelton, talks about the recording session and plays his instrumental version of the song.