Obv, by a mind boggling distance.

This is probably true, but I wouldn't call it a blowout or anything.

I disagree, but I have always liked the solo stuff better than any Jackson 5 material. Though in terms of songwriting, I will concede "I Want You Back" is surely one of the tightest, catchiest songs ever. But on any given day I'd probably rather listen to something from his solo catalogue.

no. but I did have to think about it.

Never heard anyone sound more enthusiastic about anything than MJ in this song.

The first 5 tracks on Off the Wall are all better in my book. Depending on my mood, I'd probably take 3 or 4 singles off of Thriller as well.

Nah, the best Jackson 5 song is Dancing Machine.

great song, of course, but not necessarily better than "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" or "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

i may even prefer "The Love You Save," sometimes.

THIS

I think I Can't Help It from Off The Wall is the best Jackson song. I love I Want You Back, fer sure, but enjoy the lite disco of my pick over the pre-teen soul of I Want You Back. Classic teenage emoting on I Want You Back though.

Sort of agree with the initial assertion, but apples to oranges obvs. Ranking perfect next to perfect... like God vs Bruce McCulloch with a mustache or something. I dunno. Sure. Perfect tune.

I thought about it for a while. I voted 'no' because of how much I love "Billie Jean", "Human Nature" and a few other solo MJ tracks. But now I'm sorta second-guessing myself. The solo catalog definitely beats the J5, but "I Want You Back" is such a great song. So happy and joyous in the way good pop music should be. Even without thinking about the whole 'it's a shame what happened later' stuff, if you could only hear one MJ song - it's really hard to deny "I Want You Back".

I like Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and Shake Your Body Down(to the ground) a little better.

likewise.

i gave this way more thought than i probably should have. "i want you back" is definitely my favorite jackson 5 jam. but mj had some killer cuts that would edge it out if i were at gunpoint.

i agree with the op

please, it's not even the best jackson 5 song.

It is absolutely the best Jackson 5 song, and the premise of this thread is spot on. Rob Edwards was otm, just listen to the youthful enthusiasm in Jackson's voice. Vocal majesty. How could an 11 year old express such pain so intuitively? Probably because he had an abusive father who was constantly beating him up, but still.

I love I WANT YOU BACK, but I'd pick ROCK WITH YOU as my all-time MJ favorite.

for j5 - i go with 'never can say goodbye'

but i want you back is pure magic.

tough question, but i'd say masterofsparks has the right approach

I have to disagree based on a rule I have that others seem to get past with ease: Kids shouldn't be singing love songs. Not only does it make the song disingenuous but it also creeps me out.

Ha ha - I broke the filibuster!

I must be starting something.

"I Want You Back" is better than most songs.

That's true. Of course, most Michael Jackson songs aren't like most songs.

Also true. I'd possibly modify my original statement to say: "I Want You Back" is better than all but a very small handful of songs, whereas the best solo MJ songs are better than a slightly larger handful of songs. Not quite so concise though.

I think this is what you meant.

I sort of agree with this.

Plus, "Billie Jean" is the one MJ song I'd pick, if I had to pick one.

Every rule of thumb has nuanced exceptions, and the J5 are the most glaring exception here.

Yeah, I got tangled up somewhere in there. Basically, the dude who said comparing genius with genius was pretty much otm. And I've never really thought about the song being particularly creepy. Slightly odd to have a kid singing about that stuff, maybe, but there's so much joy and effervescence in every note of the song that it more than negates any weirdness.

I mean, in theory I suppose that's a good rule. But man, "I Want You Back."

50:50

this. I like "Rock with you" more than most things. So I'd place it higher.

good topic mitch and it is arguable, bubblegum pop dont get any better than I want u back. I have 2 say, MJ is just truly a great fucking singer. just cause he had a distinctive tone at every stage of his career. listening to Got To BE There brings tears 2 my eyes, has there been a greater kid singer ever? and then his voice broke and thats the end 4 most and yet he gets one of the most unique, impossible 2 be duplicted tones ever.

however, ultimately i think MJ's greatest song is Wanna Be Startin Somethin. that song just builds and builds and is so euphoric that i have 2 go with that.

other contenders, Get On The Floor, Good Times, Rock With You, Dont Stop Till U Get Enough,Beat It, Billie Jean, Human Nature, The Love You Save, Scream. 2 many 2 count.

The bass line in “I Want You Back” is so undeniable a goat could sing that song and it would still fill a dance floor every time a DJ played it.

Easilty the best thing MJ ever put his imprint on.
Great song!