With a number one song under their belt, it was time for a follow-up. The Corporation came through with a lively number called “ABC” which, I have to admit, is my favorite Jackson 5 song. I have to tap my feet and sing along every time I hear it. The song was released on February 24, 1970 and was first heard by anyone watching when they performed it on American Bandstand on February 21.

If the music sounds familiar, it should. The tune is almost exactly the same melody that they used in the chorus of “I Want You Back.” If you have good a thing, why mess with it? Motown was famous for doing that. If a performer’s first song was a hit, they would write the second one to sound almost exactly like that first one. They did it with the Supremes (“Where Did Our Love Go” followed by “Baby Love,”) and the Four Tops (“I Can’t Help Myself” followed by “It’s the Same Old Song.”)

Also, if “ABC” sounds like a lesson you might learn in school, that was intentional, too. The Jackson’s producer, Freddie Perren was a former schoolteacher and he felt he was teaching the boys how to be stars. I think it worked.

“ABC” is considered one of the Jackson Five’s signature songs. It is also considered to be one of the first disco songs. Disco was about to break on the music scene and would soon take over the Seventies.

It is also in a four-way tie for the shortest title to go to number one. There are three other songs with titles that are only three letters, Frankie Avalon, “Why” (1959,) Edwin Starr, “War” (1970,) and Michael Jackson, “Ben” (1987.)

The song was the title of the groups second album, ABC, which was released on May 8, 1970 and peaked at number four on the album chart.

“ABC” entered the pop charts on March 21, 1970 and kicked the Beatles out of the top spot the week of April 25 where it stayed for two weeks.