“I’ll Be There” was the fourth single the Jackson Five recorded for Motown and it was a departure from their first three songs. This was a ballad and a really beautiful song. This was written by a different set of guys than had written the earlier songs. “I’ll Be There” was written by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Willie Hutch, and Hal Davis. The song is not quite so heavy on Michael and gives Jermaine a chance to shine. “I’ll Be There” became their fourth number one. They were the first act in the rock and roll era to achieve that. No one had ever debuted on the charts with four number ones in a row. It’s ironic to note that the Jackson Five as a group, either with or without Michael, never had another number one again.

Michael said this was when he knew they would be all right. They were on their way. To lighten the mood a little, in the middle of the song, Michael sings out, “Just look over your shoulder, honey.” This phrase is also used in the Four Tops number one song from 1967, “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” so Motown writers liked stealing from each other.

The group had considered the songs that they had released first, songs like “ABC” and “I Want You Back” to be “soul bubblegum” songs. They were appreciative of the hits and the fame, but they weren’t sure people were really taking them seriously. “I’ll Be There” changed all that as this was a serious song. The song became the Jackson Five’s biggest selling song and the biggest selling song for Motown itself up to that date.

“I’ll Be There” was included on their third album simply called Third Album, which was released on September 7, 1970. It peaked at number four on the album charts, but it went to number one on the R&B charts. All of their first three albums reached number one on the R&B charts. Third Album turned out to be the most successful album of their career. It has sold well over six million copies over time.

The song was released on August 28, 1970. The next day, August 29, Michael Jackson turned twelve years old. “I’ll Be There” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 40 on September 19, 1970 and four weeks later it was number one. It stayed at the top for five weeks, making it one of the biggest hits of the year.