A song by American group The Jackson 5 from their fifth studio album, Maybe Tomorrow (1971).
Never Can Say Goodbye is a song by American group The Jackson 5 from their fifth studio album, Maybe Tomorrow (1971). It was released on March 16, 1971, by Motown as the album's first single. The song was written by Clifton Davis and produced by Hal Davis. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British synth-pop duo the Communards. Recorded in June 1970, the song features a young Michael Jackson singing a serious song about love, with accompaniment from his brothers. Although such a record was unusual for a teenage group, Never Can Say Goodbye was a number-two hit for three consecutive weeks on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.
Clifton Duncan Davis (born October 1945) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author. Davis wrote Never Can Say Goodbye in 1971. He has numerous Broadway credits, including Hello, Dolly, Aladdin, Wicked and his Tony Award–nominated Two Gentlemen of Verona, He has hosted the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Gospel Superfest and Lifestyle Magazine. Davis is a minister of a Baptist church and has also operated an interdenominational ministry for many years.
Denis Burton spent an impressive 50 years or so on Regular and Reserve service in the British Army. He enlisted in 1972 as a junior musician before establishing himself as the principal trombone of the Staff Band of the Royal Army Ordinance Corps. His musical potential was quakily realised, and he was selected for the Bandmaster Course, graduating as the top student and winning six prizes – including the Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal for Best Overall Bandmaster. He held appointments in the Light Infantry and in the Training Development Team at the Royal Military School of Music. He was commissioned and promoted to Director of Music, leading the Band of the Royal Lancers and the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers as well as being Chief Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music responsible for musical training of all Army musicians. His final appointment in Regular Service was as Director of Music, Grenadier Guards, achieving world class standards of excellence in this high-profile state ceremonial role. After finishing his Regular Army career, Denis served as Director of Music of The Band of The Royal Welsh as part of the Army Reserve for another 15 years. Denis’s compositions and arrangements for wind, brass and ensembles have been published across the UK and Europe, with many of his arrangements still being used on occasions such as Trooping the Colour.
