Big Boy

"Big Boy" is the debut single by the American family band the Jackson 5 and the first song performed by a then nine-year-old Michael Jackson. "Big Boy" was released by Steeltown Records, a record company in Gary, Indiana, in January 1968. After it was released, the song played on radio stations in the Chicago-Gary area and was a local hit. Beginning in March 1968, Steeltown Records sold thousands of copies of "Big Boy" nationally through a distribution deal with Atlantic Records, but it was neither a critical nor commercial success. The Jackson family were delighted with the outcome nonetheless. The Jackson 5 would release a second single on the Steeltown label, titled "We Don't Have to Be Over 21 ", before signing with Motown Records in Detroit, on July 26, 1968. The group played instruments on many of their Steeltown compositions, including "Big Boy". The group's recordings for Steeltown Records were thought to be lost, but were said to be rediscovered more than 25 years later. These recordings were remastered and released in 1995, with "Big Boy" as the promotional lead single. The song was used in the 2026 Michael Jackson biopic “Michael”.