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“What Goes Around Comes Around”

Date range assessed by Jackson5ABC forum user “jaorecords”’ analysis (archived), where he estimated to the best of his ability, based on how MJ's vocal sounds in relation to other songs, other tracks’ confirmed recording dates, and the producers working on the tracks at the time, the recording dates for tracks where a recording date has not yet been publicly released. Date will be updated if more official information comes to light.

Arthur "Hakim" Stokes and Floyd Weatherspoon, co-writers, “Articlesbase” (July 15, 2010) (archived)

When Motown Records released Michael Jackson's second solo album Ben, August 1972, songwriters Arthur "Hakim" Stokes, Floyd Weatherspoon, Dana Meyers and Allen "Venny" Levinsky were thrilled. Their song "What Goes Around Comes Around" was featured on Jackson's newest release, giving them a reason to celebrate. Dayton songwriters Stokes and Weatherspoon remember the song's history and said they are proud it featured on a Jackson-Motown album.

Stokes said the song was written between 1970 and 1971, while in a group called The Four Corners, (Stokes, Weatherspoon, Meyers, and Jerome Johnson.)

Meyers, Weatherspoon and Stokes performed the song for Levinsky, who was a friend of Motown songwriter Hal Davis. "The song was created at a rehearsal and put together with words and a melody," Stokes said. "Venny liked it enough to send it to Hal."

The writers were excited about the possibility of Motown buying their song, but weren't sure it would happen. "If you knew Venny, you'd know he liked to stretch the truth, so we didn't believe he knew Hal," Weatherspoon said. "When Hal came to town, Venny said, ‘This is Hal Davis.' We didn't believe him."  The writers were shocked to discover Levensky was serious about being friends with Davis, and found out the two grew up together.

Davis traveled to Dayton frequently to visit Levensky, and during one of his visits, he met the writers of "What Goes Around Comes Around." Davis heard the song in Los Angeles when Levensky sent it to him, and according to Stokes, "Hal liked the song."

Davis and the writers talked about the song and two other tracks planned for Jackson. "Hal played us some tracks – songs without words," Weatherspoon said. "He let us hear ‘Got to Be There' and ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are' without words."

When Ben was released, Motown sent the writers copies of the album, and according to Stokes, he and the writers were excited to hear Jackson sing their song. Stokes said, "Michael sounded amazing."