The song was recorded by The Jackson 5 and released by Motown Records on August 28, 1970 as the first single from their Third Album on the same date. Produced by the songwriters, "I'll Be There" was The Jackson 5's fourth number one hit in a row (after "I Want You Back"–1970, "ABC"–1970, and "The Love You Save"–1970), making them the first black male group to achieve four consecutive number one pop hits. "I'll Be There" is also notable as the most successful single released by Motown during its "Detroit era" (1959–72).

The Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz cover was recorded during Carey's appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1992, and released as the first single from her EP MTV Unplugged in the second quarter of 1992. Co-produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, "I'll Be There" became Carey's sixth number one single in the U.S., and her biggest hit elsewhere at the time.

After three upbeat "bubblegum soul" number one singles from the Jackson 5 ("I Want You Back", "ABC", and "The Love You Save"), Motown head Berry Gordy decided to take a risk and craft a ballad for the group. For this song, he brought in songwriters Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, and Bob West, as opposed to working with the rest of The Corporation, who had crafted the first three hits.

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