Never Can Say Goodbye
"Never Can Say Goodbye" was a
1971 hit single by
The Jackson 5 for the
Motown label, one of their most successful singles.
Written by future
Amen TV star
Clifton Davis, the song featured 12-year-old
Michael Jackson singing a serious song about a love, with accompaniment from his brothers. Although such a record was unusual for a teenage group, "Never Can Say Goodbye" was a #2 hit on the
Billboard Pop Singles chart, and a #1 hit on the Billboard
Black Singles Chart.
The song was later covered by a number of artists, including
Isaac Hayes,
The Sandpipers and
The Communards. A second major Motown version, reimagined as a
disco record by
Gloria Gaynor in
1974, was a number nine hit on the U.S. Pop Singles Chart, and one of the defining recordings of the disco era.
Chanel Cole performed this song during the disco-themed night of the second season of the Australian version of the popular 'Idol' series.
*Lead Vocals:
Michael Jackson*Background Vocals:
Michael Jackson,
Jackie Jackson,
Tito Jackson,
Jermaine Jackson and
Marlon Jackson*Written by Clifton Davis
*Produced by
Hal Davis*Instrumentation by various
Los Angeles studio musicians
