Me and the J5

Last night, as I was making my way down I-57, a song played on my radio from my Apple music app. I found myself singing, doing the Robot, and a wave of nostalgia hit me pretty hard, bringing both tears and laughter.

The song was 'Corner of the Sky' by the Jackson Five, my big brother's favorite group and my favorite song by them. It's my favorite because of the lyrics... and the fact that Jermaine has more vocal parts than Michael!

As the little brother, I was only allowed to sing lead if it was Jermaine singing, never if it was Michael. As Michael sang lead on most of their songs, Brian sang lead and I sang the background. Even now, I automatically sing all of the background, a phenomena which amuses my wife and family to no end.

As I said, it was his favorite group, and he had every album, some of them (The Third Album) twice. I guess you can tell who his favorite member was, right? That's an easy one. How about his second favorite Jackson?

When my mother was pregnant with her second and favorite child (side note: she only ever had "relations" twice, both times on holidays, Lincoln's birthday and the 4th of July. I believe her!), she thought she was having a girl, so she had picked out names such as Tanya or Kimberly.

When the national holiday of October 30th, 1972 came, she was surprised to give birth to the most beautiful baby boy ever... whom she did not have a name for. So she asked her four and a half year-old son Brian to pick a name for the baby.

Since he knew or was related to too many Michaels, he opted to name his new brother after his second favorite Jackson... Marlon. I think that part worked out pretty good.

Yes, I love the Jackson Five (whom my brother put me up on), and one thing which evolved from the whole era as background singer is this; I don't take a backseat to anyone. I always "sing" lead in every aspect of my life...

"Rivers belong where they can ramble.

Eagles belong where they can fly.

I've got to be, where my spirit can run free.

Got to find my corner of the sky."

Indeed.