100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY THE JACKSON FAMILY. 

Today: #7. More: next week.

Caffè Lattè presents:

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY THE

JACKSON FAMILY

Michael. Janet. Jermaine. Randy. Tito. Marlon. Jackie. 3T. La Toya. Rebbie.

The family from Gary, Indiana has dominated the music scene for over 5 decades. Here are 100 of the siblings’ most significant songs in terms of sales, influence and impact…

 

J7

BEN

Michael Jackson

This was the single that proved Michael was a major star in his own right. Its success built on the achievements of his first solo releases. Motown had been astute enough to develop the young singer’s career to run simultaneously with his role as a member of The Jackson 5. The tender ballad was written by Don Black and Walter Scharf. It was featured in a motion picture dealing with Ben, a rodent! The recording collected a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. It was also nominated for an Oscar in the same category. As well as reaching #7 in the UK, the single topped the US and Australian charts. Initially, the song was written for Donny Osmond to record. When the film was complete, he was on tour so "Ben" was offered instead to Michael.