Álbum: Got to Be There
Artista: Michael Jackson
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 24 de Enero de 1972
- Sello Discográfico: Motown
- Compositores: Elliot Willensky, Bill Withers, Leon Ware, Willie Hutch, Carole King, Varios
- Productores: Hal Davis, The Corporation, Willie Hutch
Lanzado en 1972, Got to Be There es el primer álbum de estudio en solitario de Michael Jackson, grabado cuando apenas tenía 13 años. Publicado mientras todavía era el vocalista principal del exitoso grupo familiar The Jackson 5, este álbum fue la primera incursión de Jackson como artista individual, una estrategia del sello Motown para capitalizar su inmenso carisma y talento. El disco es una colección de baladas de soul, R&B y bubblegum pop, que mezcla canciones originales escritas por el equipo de compositores de Motown con versiones de éxitos del momento. Aunque es un producto claramente moldeado por el sonido Motown, "Got to Be There" es un documento fascinante que muestra la increíble madurez vocal y la innata habilidad interpretativa de un niño destinado a convertirse en el Rey del Pop.
Contexto y Grabación
A principios de los 70, The Jackson 5 era uno de los grupos más grandes del mundo, y Michael, su joven líder, era el centro de atención. Berry Gordy, el fundador de Motown, vio el potencial de lanzar a Michael como solista para expandir aún más el imperio del grupo. La grabación del álbum, supervisada por el productor Hal Davis y el colectivo de compositores de Motown conocido como The Corporation, se llevó a cabo mientras Michael seguía grabando y girando con sus hermanos. El objetivo era crear un álbum que atrajera tanto al público adolescente del grupo como a una audiencia más adulta, mostrando la versatilidad de Michael como baladista.
Análisis Musical y Estilo
El sonido de "Got to Be There" es puro sonido Motown de principios de los 70. La producción es exuberante, con arreglos de cuerda y viento, coros y la impecable sección rítmica de estudio de la discográfica. El álbum está dominado por baladas de soul y temas de pop de medio tiempo. Lo más destacable es la impresionante voz de un joven Michael Jackson. A pesar de su edad, su interpretación es increíblemente emotiva y técnicamente precisa, capaz de transmitir una gama de emociones que va desde la alegría inocente hasta una sorprendente melancolía.
Análisis de las canciones
El álbum generó cuatro sencillos de éxito. La canción que le da título, "Got to Be There", es una balada de pop orquestal que se convirtió en un éxito Top 5 en Estados Unidos. La versión del clásico del rock and roll "Rockin' Robin" fue otro gran éxito, mostrando su lado más enérgico. "I Wanna Be Where You Are" es una sofisticada balada de soul.
El álbum también incluye notables versiones de éxitos contemporáneos que demuestran la versatilidad de Jackson, como "Ain't No Sunshine" de Bill Withers y "You've Got a Friend" de Carole King.
Lanzamiento y Rendimiento en Listas
El álbum fue un éxito comercial, estableciendo a Michael Jackson como un artista solista viable.
- USA Billboard 200: 14
- UK Albums Chart: 37
- Francia (SNEP): 121
Recepción Crítica
La crítica recibió el álbum de forma muy positiva, elogiando la increíble voz y el carisma de un joven Michael. Rolling Stone destacó su "talento vocal prodigioso". "Got to Be There" es un debut encantador que, aunque no es representativo de la innovación que vendría después, es un testimonio del talento natural de uno de los artistas más grandes de la historia, el punto de partida de una discografía legendaria.
Listado de Canciones
- Ain't No Sunshine4:09
- I Wanna Be Where You Are3:00
Letra
Can it be I stayed away too long Did I leave your mind when I was gone It's not my thing trying to get back But this time let me tell you where I'm at You don't have to worry cause I'm coming Back to where I should have always stayed And now I've heard the maybe to your story And it's enough love for me to stay Can it be I stayed away too long Did I leave your mind when I was gone Well, it's not my thing trying to get back But this time let me tell you where I'm at I want to, want to be where you are (ooh aah) Anywhere you are (ooh aah) I want to, want to be where you are (ooh aah) Everywhere you are (ooh aah) Please don't close the door to our future There's so many things we haven't tried I gonna love you better than I used to And give you all the love I have inside Oh I want to, want to be where you are (oh aah) Any, any, anywhere you are (oh aah) I want to, want to be where you are (oh aah) I gotta, gotta be where you are (oh aah) I want to be, I want to be (oh, yea, yea, baby now) I want to be, I want to be (oh, oh) I want to be, I want to be (oh, now, now, yea, yea) I want to be, I want to be (oh) I want to be, I want to be (oh, now, now, baby) I want to be, I want to be (oh) - Girl Don´t Take Your Love from Me3:46
- In Our Small Way3:34
Letra
[Chorus] Maybe you and I can't do great things We may not change the world in one day But we still can change some things today In our small way Empty words are not enough Where there's hurt we'll be a crush When there's thirst we'll fill each other's cup Because we care we love enough to share [Chorus] In despair we'll be the hope And the prayer that frees the soul We'll be there to share each lonely road Because we love, I know We care enough [Chorus] Just a little time is all it takes What a difference just a smile can make, you'll see Love is all we need [Chorus] - Got to Be There3:23
Letra
Got to be there (got to be there) Got to be there in the morning When she says hello to the world Got to be there (got to be there) Got to be there in her down time And show her that she's my girl Ooh what a feeling there'll be The moment I know she loves me Cause when I look in her eyes I realize I need her sharing the world beside me So I got to be there (got to be there) Got to be there in the morning And welcome her into my world And show her that she's my girl When she says hello world (got to be there) (got to be there) I need her sharing the world beside me That's why I got to be there (got to be there) Got to be there where it all begins And that's everywhere she goes I got to be there so she knows That when she's with me She's home (ooh she's home) (ooh she's home) yea (Got to be there) got to be there, got to be there (Got to be there) got to be there, got to be there (Got to be there) ooh baby, baby, got to be there, got to be there (Got to be there) got to be there, got to be there (Got to be there) ooh, got to be there, got to be there (Got to be there) ooh, got to be there, got to be there - Rockin' Robin2:30
- Wings of My Love3:32
Letra
When this old world gets you down When your spirit's on the ground Just remember I will always be around Just climb on the wings of my love I'll take you high on the wings of my love When you're feeling all alone Like a child who's got no home You know you've always got a place where you can go Just climb on the wings of my love Like a beach that knows no boundaries with all the trees As it rushes to the seas darling we'll be just as free I'll lift your spirits high our love will fly We'll have heaven blue skies and forever sunshine 'Til you break those ties that bind 'Til that day you're really mine Anytime you want to leave your world behind Just climb on the wings of my love I'll lift your spirits high our love will fly We'll have heaven blue skies and forever sunshine We've got rainbows yet to find And we'll find them all in time Girl you know someday we'll even touch the sky Just climb on the wings of my love Anytime you want to leave your world behind I'll take you high on the wings of my love Just take my hand and together we'll touch the sky Just climb on the wings of my love Yes remember I will always be around I'll take you high on the wings of my love - Maria (You Were the Only One)3:41
Letra
Maria hey hey Maria Maria don't you hear me calling Maria Maria girl you know you were the only one Hey hey Maria Maria don't you miss me just a little Maria after all you were the only one Come on back to me Maria Maria come on back to me girl Hey hey Maria Maria it's been long so long Maria since you've been gone Hey hey Maria Maria don't you need me just a little Maria 'cause honest girl you were the only one Come on back to me Maria Oh come on back to me girl Maria I need you Maria why d'you keep a-running away Oh baby you keep a-running away Oh baby yeah Maria I need you honey Oh Maria you sweet little sunflower Oh hear my plea for sympathy I just want you here with me Maria If you're on that lonely night What's my life without you girl I'm so lonely I'm so blue Without you darling my life is through Come on back - Love Is Here and Now You´re Gone2:51
- You've Got a Friend4:45