The Jackson 5’s “Mama’s Pearl” is today’s classic song of the day. Released in January of 1971, it peaked at #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles charts. (It was kept out of the #1 position on the Hot 100 by the Osmonds’ “One Bad Apple,” back when that white bread family group was trying very, very hard to sound like the Jackson brothers.)
“Mama’s Pearl” was one of several Jackson 5 hits written by the Motown songwriting collective known as the Corporation. That group consisted of Alphonzo Mizell, Deke Richards, Freddie Perren, and Motown head Berry Gordy. They were also responsible for writing the Jacksons’ “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save,” and “Sugar Daddy.”
The song “Mama’s Pearl” originally had the title “Guess Who’s Making Whoopie (With Your Girlfriend),” but the title and lyrics were changed to be more in line with lead singer Michael Jackson’s then-wholesome image. The change was for the better.
For some reason, “Mama’s Pearl” isn’t as well-remembered or played today as the Jackson 5’s other hits of that era. Maybe because it stalled at #2 and didn’t hit the top spot, like most of their other tunes. I think it’s every bit as good as “ABC” or “I Want You Back,” and deserves more attention today.
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, the Jackson 5 performing “Mama’s Pearl” and “The Love You Save” on 1971’s Diana! television special. I like this a lot.
