Recording sessions : November 1971 – February 1972
Studios : Motown studios, Los Angeles.
Label : Motown
Release date : August 4, 1972
Peak on Billboard 200 : 5
Original track listing
1. “Ben” (recorded November 1971) Walter Scharf, Don Black 2:42
2. “Greatest Show on Earth” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino 2:47
3. “People Make the World Go Round” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Thom Bell, Linda Creed 3:15
4. “We’ve Got a Good Thing Going” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) The Corporation (Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy, Deke Richards, Freddie Perren) 3:01
5. “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Gladys Hampton, Regina Adams, Ace Adams 2:58
6. “My Girl” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Smokey Robinson, Ronald White 3:05
7. “What Goes Around Comes Around” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Allen Levinsky, Arthur Stokes, Dana Meyers, Floyd Weatherspoon 3:35
8. “In Our Small Way” (recorded July – November 1971) Beatrice Verdi, Christine Yarian 3:39
9. “Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day” (recorded December 1971 – February 1972) Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder 3:19
10. “You Can Cry on My Shoulder” (recorded November – December 1971) Berry Gordy 2:32
Demos/Alternate Versions/Outtakes/unreleased tracks from the album’ sessions
Others songs from this era
Singles and short films
1st single : “Ben” (released on July 12, 1972)
Peak on Hot 100 Billboard : 1
Promotion (TV performances/Award Shows/magazine covers etc.)
July 1, 1972 : Michael makes a solo appearance in a special American Bandstand show devoted to him. He performs Rockin Robin, Ben, I Wanna Be Where You Are and at the end he’s joined by the Jackson 5 to perform Lookin’ Through The Windows.
August 31, 1972 : Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine.
September 15, 1972 : The Jackson 5 perform Lookin’ Through The Windows and Michael performs Ben at the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
October 26, 1972 : The Jackson 5 perform Ain’t Nothin’ Like The Real Thing and Jermaine performs That’s How Love Goes at the Flip Wilson Show.
November 4, 1972 : In the US, Soul Train Show airs a Jackson Five special where they perform I Want You Back, Lookin’ Through The Windows & Corner Of The Sky. Jermaine performs That’s How Love Goes & Daddy’s Home. Michael performs Ben
November 5, 1972 : In The UK he Royal Variety Performance featuring the J5 is aired on the BBC. The group sings I Want You back, ABC, Rockin Robin, We Thank You & The Love You Save.
November 9, 1972 : The Jackson 5 perform Lookin’ Through The Windows & Rockin Robin an british TV show Top Of The Pops.
January 10, 1973 : The Jackson 5 appear on the Dick Cavett Show.
March 27, 1973 : Michael performs Ben at the Academy Awards (the song is nominated as best song for a film)
Concerts
The Jackson 5 on tour 1970-1976
Previous era : « Lookin’ Through the Windows » (1972)
Following era : « Skywriter » (1973)
Jackson Dynasty 