The Making of I Want You Back | The Jackson 5

Louie Shelton recalls the recording of I Want You Back by the Jackson 5.

[@stealthbum34]

This guitar part is an absolute masterclass in melodic playing. Pure genius.

[@Asshat237]

It really is.

[@Asshat237]

When he started playing the descending part with the little flourishes my jaw dropped and stayed there til he was done playing. Nasty is all I can say. Beautiful playing.

[@babydaddy1930]

Yeah he's a bad bad man!!!!!!

[@fabiansmith5860]

ENDODRSED

[@ridge7524]

Yup💯

[@KBorham]

Thank you for playing the entire guitar part. Louie Shelton; National Treasure!

[@kalania14]

On a different level sir. A masterclass by a true Master

[@joeallis269]

The moral of the story is that SOUL ain’t got NO color.... SOUL is SOUL, it’s color blind. This man is legend.

[@phoenixblackcomedy]

Can't argue that

[@waterlec8718]

So ✨H E R E✨ we were ALL FOOLED into believing that the JACKSON family PLAYED this.... A very SOULFUL and well played guitar part.... You are AMAZING LOUIE... EVERYONE needs to witness this .. EVERY JACKSON 5 fan, especially.

[@trafyknits9222]

The unsung heroes of recording, the session guys make the tunes what they are. Thanks, Louie. You're a legend and you've brought major joy to millions.

[@romulus_]

billions!

[@djcoolcliff]

Him and my Uncle Wah Wah Watson!! RIP!!!

[@thaexception3406]

There is a great Motown documentary about the band - "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"

[@stanleywilliams1975]

​@@thaexception3406 That Was The House Band When Motown Was Still In Detroit. The Funk Brothers

[@kid.forever]

@@djcoolcliff Wah Wah is the man! I spin his record Elementary when I DJ regularly!

[@glenstephens1186]

More talent in that man's fingers than pretty much anyone playing in the charts today. And what a sound...a Tele through a genuine 60's Fender Princeton! Outstanding.

[@Willegus]

It's impossible listening to this track, and now these guitar parts, without getting happy!

[@lawdawg139]

Wow, My uncle, Freddie Perren was one of the writers/producers of that song. When that song came out I was about 9 or 10 and had just begun taking guitar lessons. So, of course I asked Freddie all about the parts the guitar and bass were playing and he raved about how talented you, Wilton, Joe and the other musicians were. Listening to you talk about this recording brings back so many conversations I had with Freddie as a child about this and other J5 songs that, as it turns out, you both were a part of. I was always thought it was so amazing that I could hand him a sheet of manuscript and write would write out the part I would ask him about to show me where I got it right or wrong. (Mostly wrong back the Lol!) Freddie died back in 2004 but me and other members of my family really enjoy and appreciate hearing the anecdotes and first hand accounts of the iconic songs and sessions he was a part of from people like you. (btw, I couldn't nail that guitar part till I was about 13 or 14 years old. lol!) Thanks for sharing so many of your experiences!

[@klsecond5755]

beautiful story man!

[@DrummerDanny76]

It's so cool to think that Tito had to learn the guitar parts and Jermaine learn the bass parts but also learn the dance moves as well while playing their instruments. That's crazy to think even being teenagers too, to learn all that. That's a lot of pressure for just teenagers !!! Mind blowing

[@warrencox7852]

Couldn’t agree more. There is so much footage of them in concert where you get to hear their musicianship. And to think there are people to this day doubting that they really played live. 🙄

[@golds04]

And to have to step into the walking shoes of James Jamerson- terrifying!

[@christopher-xi2ey]

​@@warrencox7852they didn't

[@warrencox7852]

What makes you think they didn’t? I’ve seen them live and, as previously mentioned, there’s plenty of live footage of them playing.

[@phoenixjim0527]

Words can’t say how much of a pleasure this is.

[@lakecityboy55]

Dude...I am in double-stop heaven after listening to that! You are the consummate craftsman...thank you so much for sharing these videos with us!

[@LouieShelton]

Thanks Eldon.

[@mrfester42]

You damn the guy with faint praise. This guy is no craftsman or technician. He's an artist. You didn't hear a word he said. Her wrote the main guitar part for "I Want You Back" while it was being recorded and what you heard here was him playing the melody which was NOT part of the hit record that he recorded. He just wrote that HERE as well. This guy played for the likes of The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five and all the great pop artists of that period and probably for Sinatra and Dean Martin as well Craftsman my ass!

[@freakyrawen]

@@mrfester42 Do we really need to attack people showing appreciation now? Chill man.

[@mrfester42]

@@freakyrawen Get a grip. That was not an attack.

[@freakyrawen]

@@mrfester42 it wasn’t exactly nice was it?

[@bustabass9025]

Wilton Felder was a saxophone jazz artist extraordinaire. His skills on electric bass, while grossly underrated were a huge part of the success enjoyed by the Jazz Crusaders, along with his Houston band mates Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, and Stix Hooper, and later The Crusaders including the work of Larry Carlton. The signature bass line here and on ABC, firmly entrenched him as one of the In Demand L.A. session bassists. Rest in peace Brother Felder. ✝️

[@1mespud]

So true! His bass work on Seals & Croft's "Hummingbird" is incredible.

[@foofoorab]

Legend! We bow down to your genius sir! Gorgeous playing.

[@FrazySting]

One of my favorite guitar piece ever. Glad to see you all well and still playing!

[@jbridges4089]

The Guitar part is great along with the Bass. The start and stops in the beginning is Unique. So happy to have been born during that era of music. Thank-you Jesus.

[@mitchellbaird5761]

Louie play a session on our golf tour, he played golf with us as well. The session he played for us on the Saturday night was brilliant. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to hear him play. Great bloke and awesome guitarist.

[@izelhood3461]

As a Guitarist myself. Absolutely mind blowing, brilliant! Excellent!

[@gladtidings6020]

These are the guys who changed the music of a generation. So cool to see the brilliance behind the scenes.

[@ericwarncke]

Absolutely in heaven when Louis is playing his instrument.

[@marcodebarkingville1827]

It's a well-worn fretboard on that Tele which arguably has played on more hit songs than any other in history. Louie Shelton is an American icon.👏👏👏

[@jacktoddy9783]

Thank you Louie for making this video about the story behind the making of: 'I Want You Back'. I was a kid when this song came out. It was one of those songs that as soon as you heard it, you knew it was going to be a hit. I cannot relate to you how much your contribution to music has helped me through difficult times and the happiness it has brought me - thank you so much.

[@hoz49]

The REAL DEAL.

[@REM977]

Amen!

[@UkuleleBobbyKemp]

🥰 Thank you so much Louie - choking back tears 💦 here... What a gift you are, and everyone involved with this incredible music. Yes, 'I Want you Back' *IS* the greatest Pop Song of all time - and by a HUGE margin!! And it was made all the better by you sir... 🙏

[@nopeteys2424]

Its pretty hard to top this song, its got everything a perfect pop song should have. Great tone, great riffs, groovy back beat, great lyrics and obviously amazing vocals.

[@drrjim]

What a treasure Louie is. Fantastic player and seems like a great guy. Great insight into what went on. He mentions the J5 coming in at night to do the vocals. Can you imagine how excited they were when they heard that music track.! Jermaine hearing Felders bass part and going, "I gotta play that"?

[@ghs54]

Really 😂, but that’s a part of their genius, the willingness to work hard until they got it right! You can hear them get better on Live at the Forum recorded in June of 1970 and August of 1972! Great to see him maintain his chops, beautiful playing!

[@warrencox7852]

Man , I’ve been saying that for years! Him and Tito must’ve 💩 on themselves when Gordy told them this was going to be their first release. Gotta say tho’ as teens they pulled it off. I saw them live.

[@warrencox7852]

Totally agree Tim. People sleep on their musicianship.

[@UTVols4Life]

Imagine hearing Jamerson’s darling dear for the first time!!!!!

[@warrencox7852]

I’ve always wondered who taught them their guitar and Bass parts or were they given a scratch demo to learn from.

[@Mick-Dempsey]

Awesome,Curtis Mayfield would be grinning from ear to ear with those double stops.Fantastic playing Louie.

[@DrQuizzler]

It's easy to take for granted the stuff which happens in the background of a song, but it's tough to imagine "I Want You Back" without the stuff you and the bassist came up with. It's interesting to hear how it all came together.

[@securethebag1613]

wow. i love utube for this. louie shelton, bobby watson...many of the session guitarists from the 60s and 70s r poppin up with utube channels. and they still can play!! god is good! i wish reggie young could have had a channel

[@darrellroseborough7275]

True musicianship at its core and best! Seeing guys like Louie still doing this work of art here in the now is just amazing and joyful to watch. Oh for the love of real musicians playing without special effects,autotune,times stretching,vocal alignment,etc, you fuckin had to know how to play your instrument. Think about it you had arrangements for guitars,keyboards,horns and let’s not forget real live strings not this virtual orchestral sounds in presets. What a lost art form. Not to take anything away from the now sound but dammit nothing can ever take the place of authenticity. Louie keep on keepin on. Shoutout to the Funk Brothers Hitsville USA also. RIP my brothers. ❤

[@orlando696]

Mr Shelton is the reason I play guitar. After hearing his awesome playing on ‘Valeri’ by the Monkees I knew what I wanted to do; this man is special! Thank You Lou!

[@philmoore71]

ohhhh Nesmith hated that song

[@orlando696]

Probably because his fingers couldn’t move that fast! lol Louie is a Monster!

[@davidfriedman9051]

I always thought Tommy Tedesco played the flamenco styled guitar on Valeri

[@orlando696]

@@davidfriedman9051 Tommy COULD have, for sure! But he didn’t. I actually emailed Louie Shelton about 10 years ago, and got a personal response. I told him that the guitar on Valeri was why I started playing in the first place. He said as SO cool and self deprecating; he said that the luck was actually a warm up exercise that he threw in there as a joke, but they went with it. The dude is a monster, as is Tommy T!

[@ronaldpapa8182]

As soon as this song kicks in, you’re up on your feet. Louie’s playing is absolute perfection.

[@kristofernewton422]

This is Really what made me Want to First Learn to Play The Guitar...Pure Magic and Happiness.

[@michaelgossett1415]

Sounds like an entirely different song!!! Very full, intricate and subtle nuances.

[@ElaineThompson]

This is hands-down the best version I've heard of this song outside of Michael's 11-year old prodigy singing. The progression is timeless. One thing I've always wondered is if the similarity to Pachelbel's Canon was deliberate or just a convergence on a great-sounding classic progression?

[@dsoccer3187]

Man, I was having a really crappy day, feeling bad about myself, and hearing this song while you play just totally turned my mood around. I can't explain it, but damn I feel uplifted now! THANK YOU for making such a beautiful song.

[@anta40]

I've listened to this track hundred times, and yes we all know the magnificent groovy bassline Wilton Felder played... but today I finally learnt there's equally interesting guitar part.

[@michaelstradford545]

Bobby Caldwell died today and I needed an uplift. This did the trick! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@alexanthony62]

Still amazing. The coolest rhythmic guitar track in pop history by a master musician.

[@leonedantonio]

That's so incredible Louie! Thank you for sharing this piece of pop music history. Best wishes!

[@drwavenstein]

" Wow. I was a kid when I heard this. It was the guitar line that was my favorite part of the song - just catchy."

[@VIRGONOMICS]

Finally I get to know who played guitar on my favorite tunes as a kid . Thank goodness. 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank You

[@premierflutes9254]

Beautiful playing. Had no idea 2 of my favorite musos, Felder & Sample did the studio work for these songs too. Great vid !!

[@eddiehouser5174]

This is like watching a guitar God work.You sir are UNBELIEVABLE ! Thanks for ALL of the music you have given my generation ! It is impossible to thank you for the endless amount of music you have given us !

[@kyleetie5608]

Stone cold guitar backing to that tune! Untouchable!

[@cp112358]

I would like to give 1 zillion likes!!! That is one of the harmonies and melodies in the pop music.

[@timothyarnold9350]

My first LP at age 10 was ABC. I Want You Back is one of the finest R and B tunes and stands the test of time. Thanks Louie for everything.

[@timcox2818]

THAV LOuie. Did Tito and Jermaine actually play these parts while on tour .... were they actually musical geniuses as teenagers?

[@markjohnson9485]

The intro to "I want you back" gave and still gives me chills. Great playing, one the greatest songs ever. Did you play that Telecaster on the song?

[@brianm8642]

What I enjoyed most was not only the wear on the neck, but to watch the fingers of the incredible musician who made it that way.

[@benjamintrench8722]

The unsung heroes of Motown. Pure Music & Pure Genius !

[@Musiccafe5890]

One of the most significant parts of a masterpiece. Beyond my mere words. Thank you for this gem, Mr. Shelton.

[@mirllewist3086]

OK this may be the best thing I have ever seen! I have been playing for ~40 years and this song has always been on my radar as THE perfect pop song. Your playing, foundation, and embellishments are perfection, on top of Felder's killer bass line. I am going to watch this video 100 times to figure this out - - - unless you are offering lessons??? Thank you!!

[@nickzed661]

Without your guitar part it wouldn’t have been as big of a hit and definitely not a classic still loved 50+ years later!

[@fortynine3225]

Would be a top notch instumental track. Pure gold right there...

[@garyhoffman1]

Wonderful, Louie! Please continue with breakdowns of your amazing contributions to pop music. So glad to see you back!

[@peexstile]

This is really a gift to us Louie! Thank you!

[@edzappia2892]

100% totally fully completely wholly entirely f’n amazing.

[@Asshat237]

My jaw dropped when he started playing the descending part with the flourishes and it stayed there until he was finished. That's how to play melodically. Wow

[@souldeep808]

I sat and watched the whole thing. I appreciate you true pioneers and studio cats posting these beautiful gems! It's one of the positives of KZbin!!

[@theultimateblack]

Tito plays this live even better than the original and that’s saying a lot these days. Once The J5 got to perform this they took it to a whole different level and they were just teenagers!❤

[@MrTaurrean]

If this doesn't make u feel warm inside and put the biggest smile on your face,Lovely feel on the guitar 😊

[@HardToBeSomeone]

Thanks Mr. Shelton - love and appreciate all you have done - You are truly the Father of Pop Electric Guitar 🎸

[@jaykay1053]

That was a total blast watching your genius guitar playing, man. Wow! I’m so glad you uploaded this for the world to see and hear simultaneously. What a legacy you’ve left for all the future guitar greats. Great legacy for us listeners too. 😀 🎶 🎸

[@joelfildes5544]

Used to cover this in an Indie band 30 years ago…but I gotta say,you are WAY busier than I ever got on it…absolutely brilliant,non stop quality,Jimmy Bryant would be proud of you…cheers from Manchester,Uk.

[@Dreyno]

Wow! One of the best Motown songs. Thanks for this. Session players and producers never get the appreciation they deserve. Louis Shelton, Gerry NcGee, Hank Garland, Hal Blaine, Carole Kaye, Jim Keltner, Jessie Ed Davis. A few became famous later like Jimmy Page or Glen Campbell but most were relatively unknown compared to the music they produced. KZbin is finally giving these people their due.

[@jeffbergman3686]

Thank you Louis Shelton for your great musical talents!!

[@SaniTait]

Videos like this make KZbin totally validated! I have always wanted to know the players were on this record since childhood. YES, GREATEST POP SONG EVER!!! Iconic guitar parts!! Thank you!

[@mikewallace1270]

Wow you came up with the coolest parts!

[@63supercobrajet]

ah yes, Louie I wish you guys would make a jazzy instrumental album of all these motown classics.

[@templehillsfunk]

Definitely, the best Pop track ever! First bass line I ever learned.

[@garyhelsinger]

That was my utmost pleasure listening and watching you play! Thank you so much for your insight here and for your magic on all of those albums!!

[@Nightsat44]

Its so good I cant stop smiling!!! Love it!

[@stephenmahlstedt7276]

So cool, man! And to think how naive I was when I was younger, assuming that the Jacksons wrote and tracked their own songs. Musicians like you were responsible for so many timeless songs. Thank you!

[@dalesimon5542]

The true unsung geniuses behind the creation of the music that we grew up on. Thanks for sharing your talent with the world sir, you are highly appreciated and respected .

[@ChuckDeCarlo]

Priceless! Thanks, Louie 🙏😎🎸

[@jessesherrod1871]

Thank you Louie !!! Looking and sounding as great as ever …

[@rodrigobortoloti2830]

Louie, you are a wonderful artist, you play the guitar with feeling and you manage to convey that to lovers of good music. What a wonderful career, what a fantastic contribution to world music. I admire you a lot. You are amazing. I wish you long life, health and peace. A big hug from Brazil, your fan Rodrigo Bortoloti.

[@michaelsorchantte3857]

One thing is to master the instrument an d play those intricate notes and another is to play it with such soul funkiness and feeling!wotta a genius!

[@louisrios5546]

It's been a while since we've had a new video from Louie, but this one was worth the wait. From one Louie to another, thank you!

[@jmobass]

Outstanding!!! Thank you for your creativity and contribution to some of the best pop studio music ever created. Even as a young kid I totally dug what you were doing - even as a bassist!

[@toddj8786]

Those guitar lines are pure genius!

[@jeremyjeanguenin162]

Such a legend. With David T. Walker in the same booth, SUPERB.

[@danieldoherty2120]

Louie, thank you for this great video. The opening bars of "I Want You Back" has been the ring tone on my phone for over 10 years! I can play that part on my Strat, but now you've got me trying to learn your full instrumental version. It's taking a lot of practice moving those octaves around so fast, but worth the effort. It's great to see you haven't lost your fast ball!

[@Will-nb8qk]

Do you provide detailed lessons on those song riffs Louie?

[@sirwinston2368]

That would be way cool!

[@LouieShelton]

Hi Will, I haven't done any of that at this point. It would probably have to be a one on one SKYPE or zoom.

[@hubertvale5132]

That opening with the guitar and piano glissando just punches you in the face!

[@simondavies6270]

This man is a fantastic guitarist incredibly musical and a antidote to the three notes per string fretboard speed merchants.

[@youvetube]

Mr. Louie Shelton … I am a 63 year old black-man raise in the projects of Hartford Connecticut … I want thank you for bring so much joy in my life via your excellent and top notch guitar playing from the time I was a little kid … I am enjoying watching your content … I mean you are responsible for what I love in music with the Jackson 5, Boz Scaggs, Lionel Richie and countless others to numerous to mention or I don’t even know about … You are straight 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥… I have and continue to play your music over and over … I love these back stories they tell you whose really responsible for the music you like.

[@djizzah]

i remember this song vividly as a child hearing it the first time, loved the groove instantly

[@dimasbujursangkar8120]

Thank you for playing the full part Louie, you made my day, Awesome!!!! Thank you! Such a great and brings happiness melodies.

[@jvz773]

THIS is what is amazing about the internet! Absolutely legendary. Thank you! 🙏👍🏼

[@LudingtonBass]

Blows my mind how talented some people are.

[@caretakerfochr3834]

This tune is cooking. Beautifully and artfully played.

[@Fogon59]

Fabulous, the best 7 minutes and 19 seconds on youtube.

[@stevolene]

I’d love to see the rhythm section laying this down, these tunes were awesome and didn’t get the musical cred that was deserved

[@ralft]

I have a whole new appreciation for the song.

[@randman21]

When I see videos like this, I always picture the musicians at their current age recording back then. But 55 years ago, this was a young whippersnapper, probably hungry for recognition. All these years later, he gets to sit and revel in what all the practice and hard work made for him. Just love it. Thanks for the inspiration and classic riffs!

[@tdkdgh]

Never tire of this guitar part. Brilliant.

[@johnhunt4865]

Cool history lesson, when M Town moved I knew the Funk Bros didn't. Wondered who played so many continuous hits. Respect!

[@DMG1723]

I remember the first time hearing this song I was 8 living in Milwaukee, listening to an old tube radio I fixed that my neighbor let have. Thank you for sharing the story and bringing back the memories.

[@taitimoproductions4801]

omg after 40 years of playing it wrong...Thank you so much. your rythym playing is absolutely beautiful. thank you..

[@Guitarist888]

It’s amazing that we’ve came this far in life to be able to easily connect to Musicains on social media that worked with some of the greatest. And it’s such a pleasure to hear their personal side of the story!

[@robertbigler7743]

Thank you Louie! Musicians like you, make the world a better place!