The Love You Save

The Jackson 5 secured their third consecutive number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with The Love You Save, a track that arrived in mid-May 1970. The single emerged from the same creative circle that produced their previous successes, featuring lyrics penned by Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, and Alphonzo Mizell. While the group was still led by pre-teen Michael Jackson on vocals, the song presented a mature message about the value of affection, ending with the memorable line that the love you save may be your own.

Commercially, the record dominated charts across multiple formats. It held the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks starting in June 1970 and simultaneously topped the Hot R&B Singles chart. Although the group promoted the release through live appearances on programs like The Ed Sullivan Show rather than a narrative music video, these performances established the visual identity of the song for the era. The track also reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, extending the band's international reach beyond the United States. [edit]