NationStates Jolt Archive

Just wondering you guys favorite.

Who?

i heard it through the grapevine.

How the hell do you not know who marving gaye is ??


" Gaye's ambition was to establish himself as an interpreter of jazz standards in the vein of Nat King Cole, but his efforts in this direction during his first year at Motown were not particularly well-received. In 1962 he was convinced to change his direction towards mainstream R&B, and his first attempt - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - was soon residing in the top ten. Gaye continued to build on this success as a solo performer with a consistent stream of hit songs, while also initiating a series of romantic duets with female vocalists (the first of these being Motown labelmate Mary Wells, later replaced by Kim Weston in 1964), expanding his role as a songwriter for other artists (co-writing Martha and the Vandellas' anthemic hit Dancing In The Streets), and working as a session musician for up-and-coming performers such as 'Little' Stevie Wonder. By the arrival of 1965 and the release of the singles How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) and Ain't That Peculiar, Gaye had established himself as Motown's top act and one of the most popular R&B performers in the world.

In 1967 Gaye was teamed up with his third singing partner, Tammi Terrell - a Philadelphia native who's earlier output on Motown and various other labels had never quite managed to find an audience. The two quickly bonded on both a musical and personal (although platonic) level, and Gaye's long list of solo hits was soon supplemented with high-charting duet tracks like Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing. Their pairing would prove to be short-lived, however, as Terrell's health began to deteriorate in 1968, eventually resulting in a collapse onstage during a performance with Gaye in Virginia. A subsequent examination revealed a tumor in her brain, which brought an immediate end to public appearances and steadily impaired her ability to perform in any context. The two still managed to collaborate in the studio for two more years, but by 1970 Terrell's battle with her cancer had been lost; her death plunged Gaye into a severe depression, and he abandoned all studio and stage work until 1971.

When Gaye at last resumed his musical activity, both the subject matter and style of his songs had undergone a marked change - the former now concerning itself with social issues and the latter integrating jazz and classical influences to create a more sophistcated backdrop for his vocals. Motown initially resisted this direction and refused to release the material, but - when the label at last relented later in the year - the album What's Going On (1971) and it's three singles became some of the most popular records in his catalogue. Yet another stylistic shift had taken place by the appearance of his next album Let's Get It On (1973), the singer now concerning himself with sexual rather than social matters, but once again Gaye's audience greeted the results with enthusiasm. He continued to maintain his popularity throughout the remainder of the decade with the albums I Want You (1976, a shift away from Motown soul and towards the current disco trends), Live at the Palladium (1977, also featuring the #1 dance single Got to Give It Up) and Here, My Dear (1978, an confessional, two-disc examination of his failed marriage); the arrival of the 1980's, however, found the singer overwhelmed by financial, marital and substance abuse problems that threatened to derail his career.

Gaye began work on his next effort (In Our Lifetime (1981)) in Europe, having been forced to leave the States due to problems with the Internal Revenue Service. The album was his least successful release in decades, and this, combined with the numerous conflicts that arose between the singer and Motown during its production, finally brought about the end of his long tenure with the label. Gaye then signed on with Columbia and immediately reversed the apparent decline in his fortunes with yet another hit single (Sexual Healing) and yet another highly popular album (Midnight Love). This improvement in his professional circumstances did not help with his personal difficulties, and the singer's cocaine addiction continued to impede his ability to create music. Plagued by depression and thoughts of suicide, Gaye returned to the U.S. in 1984, moving into his parent's home in Los Angeles with the intention of finally regaining control of his life. The relationship with his father had not improved much in the intervening years, and in April of that year, provoked by a verbal attack by Marvin Sr. against his mother, Gaye returned some of the physical abuse that the elder man had inflicted upon him during his childhood. Marvin Sr. responded by killing him with the handgun his son had given him several months earlier. "

Let's Get It On-best soul tune ever

i heard it through the grapevine.


Good song, almost all his work is pure genius, execept fleeing the IRS.

i heard it through the grapevine.Marvin's best ever song.

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine". I always think of the California Raisin commercials from the '80s. But it's a good song, too.



http://www.toytent.com/Characters/pics/664-K1.jpg

its so cute that you would think that people would know about a singer/songwriter who died before they were born.

gaye died 21 years ago, most of our posters are under 21.

he was a great talent and his work stands the test of time.

so yeah

GO DOWNLOAD SOME MARVIN GAYE AND LISTEN TO IT. youll be glad you did.

Orginally Posted by Marvin Gaye

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Great song, and still timely

its so cute that you would think that people would know about a singer/songwriter who died before they were born.

gaye died 21 years ago, most of our posters are under 21.


But they have continued pressing his music to cd and playing his songs on the radio and tv. I don't think it's a stretch to expect people to have heard of Marvin Gaye.

its so cute that you would think that people would know about a singer/songwriter who died before they were born.

gaye died 21 years ago, most of our posters are under 21.

he was a great talent and his work stands the test of time.

so yeah

GO DOWNLOAD SOME MARVIN GAYE AND LISTEN TO IT. youll be glad you did.



Hell, im 15 and of course i know who he is.

Lets see,
Whats going on (1971) reviews:
Q Magazine: one of the finest albums ever recorded.... gorgeous soulful settings, bewitching melodies and Gaye's magisterial singing."
Rolling Stones: "...Revolutionary,There are very few performers who could carry a project like this off. I've always admired Marvin Gaye, but I didn't expect that he would be one of them..."
Uncut: 5 stars out of 5 - "...Global and personal anguish were never so exquisitely conveyed...
Ranked #4 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.' NME, Ranked #1 in NME's list of The Greatest Albums Of The '70s - "...politicized music has never been done better....it's also infused with a beautiful spirituality..."

CD buyer reviews:
"As impossible as it sounds, this album is perfect, or at least as close to perfection as you can get. If you don't believe me, listen for yourself, and be astounded."

"Marvin Gaye was one the first to harmonize on separate tracks, this CD is excellent. If it was released today it would be a #1 seller. It speaks of the times, future and past. Man every track is layed. I recommed it for all."

"CD highlights Mr. Gaye during his conscientious focus on the world and it's problems. Wonderfully soulful, smooth and insightful. Some of Marvin Gaye's best music. "

"Easily one of the best album albums ever written. What's Going On and Mercy Mercy Me are timeless. Gaye advised he got help from a higher power when writing this project. "

its so cute that you would think that people would know about a singer/songwriter who died before they were born.

gaye died 21 years ago, most of our posters are under 21.

he was a great talent and his work stands the test of time.

so yeah

GO DOWNLOAD SOME MARVIN GAYE AND LISTEN TO IT. youll be glad you did.


Actually it's sad that so many of those under 21 don't seem to realize that music existed before 1995. I've actually met kids who have never heard of the Beatles. (seriously, I'm not making this up. Can you believe that?)

Let's Get It On-best soul tune ever

That is Gaye's best song, but "A Change is Gonna Come" is the best soul song ever.

I personally love "how sweet it is (to be loved by you)", though "lets get it on", "what's going on", are close. call it cheesy, but I also have always loved "Abraham, Martin, and John" especially.

*croons*

Marvin's best ever song.


That would be absolutely true, if indeed, he wrote it.

He didnt.

The song was written by the band that played it.
"The Funk Brothers".

Collectively, the Funk Brothers have more number one hits than Elvis, the Beatles, and Madonna COMBINED.

The Funk Brothers were the band hired for recording, and performing almost all of Motowns standards.

If anyone is interested, an excellent documentary can be found at your local video store called "Standing in the Shadows of Motown."

Marvins best song imho, is "Whats going on?"

I personally love "how sweet it is (to be loved by you)", though "lets get it on", "what's going on", are close. call it cheesy, but I also have always loved "Abraham, Martin, and John" especially.

*croons*


I've never heard Marvin Gaye's version of that song. I'm only familiar with Dion's version (He wrote it).

That would be absolutely true, if indeed, he wrote it.

He didnt.

The song was written by the band that played it.
"The Funk Brothers".

Collectively, the Funk Brothers have more number one hits than Elvis, the Beatles, and Madonna COMBINED.

The Funk Brothers were the band hired for recording, and performing almost all of Motowns standards.

If anyone is interested, an excellent documentary can be found at your local video store called "Standing in the Shadows of Motown."

That's a great movie. Even though I basically have all the songs on the soundrack, I bought it anyway. Its pretty sweet. Those folks deserve some credit, and perhaps a few royalties as well.

I've never heard Marvin Gaye's version of that song. I'm only familiar with Dion's version (He wrote it).
I've never heard any version except for Marvin's!! I grew up listening to it. But I suppose I'll have to check out the original now...*grumble*

I'd have to say mine's What's Going On, although Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues are close up there, along with Too Busy Thinking About My Baby.

Let's Get It On-best soul tune ever
Yeah--hard to top that one for sheer get-it-on-ness.

:fluffle:

Oh yeah baby. Just like that. Oh yeah.

Bumpo

My favourite Marvin Gaye song is not one by Marvin, but rather a tribute to Marvin.

Nightshift, by The Commodores.