LP Review: Lookin' Through the Windows
Previous LP: Maybe Tomorrow (D+) Next LP: Skywriter (D)
Released: 1972
LP Charts: #3 R&B, #7 pop
Thank God for Lookin’ Through the Windows. The Jackson 5 were on the brink of disaster after the awful Maybe Tomorrow (D+), but they rebound mightily here staving off a career slump. The staving would be temporary, though. Their next album after this one stunk.
But let’s relish the good times while we have them!
THE (FEW) COVERS
A great sign that Motown was perhaps finally taking the maturing Jackson 5 more seriously is the distinct lack of covers on this album. Their first two albums especially were filled with tons of covers. It was almost gimmicky. “Look at these adorable youths sing the hits you remember!”
On Lookin’ Through the Windows there’re just three covers and they’re all good listens.
Marvin Gaye’s and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” is done in sweet soul style. Ironically, after so many Delfonics covers, this Motown remake was the closest the Jackson 5 had gotten thus far to sounding like genuine Philly Soul. Of course in a few years, they’d be working with actual Philly Soul songwriters. But that’s not until 1976. Let’s stay focused…
I gotta give Motown serious credit on these next two cover choices.
Jackson Browne’s “Doctor, My Eyes” had just been a hit in March 1972, but Motown wasted no time on cutting this track on J5 who released their version in May 1972. Michael and Jermaine handle the song really well as the original’s soft pop-rock arrangement is neatly transferred into their sugar funk aesthetic quite well.
The other inspired cover choice is of the Bobby Day classic “Little Bitty Pretty One”. Day’s late ‘50s hybrid doo wop and rock & roll was a precursor to the sugar funk anyways, so might as well have the Jackson 5 have at it.
THE ORIGINALS
Featuring instrumentation inspired by Isaac Hayes’s “Theme From Shaft”, “Lookin' Through the Windows” was supposed to be a big hit single, but it was a relative failure reaching #5 R&B and #16 pop. It deserved better cuz it’s a great song, IMO, with a snazzy and complex arrangement to fit its ponderous lyrics. At least the Brits appreciated the song as it reached #9 in the UK.
Our friends with the Corporation provided three songs for J5 starting with “Don't Let Your Baby Catch You”. By 1972, Michael’s voice was showing signs of change. Like he really belts out the title track in a way not possible just a couple years earlier. But on “Don't Let Your Baby Catch You” he still sounds petite, which leads me to believe this song mighta been left over from previous recording sessions. It’s slight sugar funk, but still pleasant.
The other two Corporation contributions are less endearing. The meditative “To Know” shows the changing vocal cords of ole Michael even more. It’s fine, but nothing special. “If I Have to Move a Mountain” is boring and brings the album’s energy to a screeching halt. We’ve been having a ball—whether balled, midtempo, or dance song—and then this thing just kills the vibe. While we’re here, might as well address “Children of the Light”. It belongs on The Brady Bunch. And I mean that as an insult. Ole cheesy ass track.
Okay, back to the fun!
“E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe (The Choice is Yours to Pull)” is a great vehicle for Jermaine taking primary lead vocals with Michael playing supporting vocalist. And given the title, yes it is indeed in the fine tradition of “ABC”.
“Don't Want to See Tomorrow” is worth a listen simply for the hilarity of a pipsqueak Michael opening the track up by speaking Spanish. I don’t know what he says and I’m not sure he did either. “I Can Only Give You Love” closes out the LP on a decently funky note.
ALBUM GRADE: B-
After a mostly fun LP, I’m mad. This shoulda been a solid B album.
It failed to reach that status because two songs were foolishly left off the track list. The first was the sugar funkin’ “Sugar Daddy” (#3 R&B, #10 pop). Initially released as a standalone single, it was eventually included on a greatest hits album released five months or so before Lookin’ Through the Windows. I rate it a 7.5/10. Even more inexlicable was the absence of “Love Song” (7/10), which was the B-side of “Lookin’ Through the Windows”. They clearly had the run time to include it. This album is only 32 minutes long.
Ah well. I’m still glad with what we got, even if it coulda been better.
Song Scores
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: 7.5/10
Lookin' Through the Windows: 8/10
Don't Let Your Baby Catch You: 6.5/10
To Know: 6/10
Doctor, My Eyes: 7.5/10
Little Bitty Pretty One: 7/10
E-Ne-Me-Ne-Mi-Ne-Moe (The Choice is Yours to Pull): 7/10
If I Have to Move a Mountain: 5/10
Don't Want to See Tomorrow: 7/10
Children of the Light: 4/10
I Can Only Give You Love: 6/10
Previous LP: Maybe Tomorrow (D+) Next LP: Skywriter (D)