Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul an… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul and rnb singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, known as "The Prince of Soul", or "The Prince of Motown." Originally a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows, he pursued a solo career after the group disbanded and released many successful solo hits including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On". His best albums are still held in extremely high regard, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born in 1939 to Marvin Gay, Sr. and Alberta Gay in Washington, D.C.. Gaye began his career in Motown in 1958, and soon became Motown's top solo male artist. He scored numerous hits during the 1960s, among them "Ain't That Peculiar", "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", as well as several hit duets with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"" and "You're All I Need to Get By", before moving on to his own form of musical self-expression.
Along with Stevie Wonder, Gaye is notable for fighting the hit-making—but creatively restrictive—Motown record-making process, in which performers, songwriters and record producers were generally kept in separate camps. Gaye forced Motown to release his 1971 album What's Going On, which is today hailed as one of the best albums of all time. Subsequent releases proved that Gaye, who had been a part-time songwriter for Motown artists during his early years with the label, could write and produce his own singles without having to rely on the Motown system. This achievement would pave the way for the successes of later self-sufficient singer-songwriter-producers in African American music, such as Luther Vandross and Babyface.
During the 1970s, Gaye would release several other notable albums, including Let's Get It On and I Want You, and released several successful singles such as "Come Get to This", "Got to Give It Up" and "Sexual Healing". By the time of his shooting death in 1984, at the hands of his clergyman father, Gaye had become one of the most influential artists of the soul music era.
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born in 1939 to Marvin Gay, Sr. and Alberta Gay in Washington, D.C.. Gaye began his career in Motown in 1958, and soon became Motown's top solo male artist. He scored numerous hits during the 1960s, among them "Ain't That Peculiar", "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", as well as several hit duets with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"" and "You're All I Need to Get By", before moving on to his own form of musical self-expression.
Along with Stevie Wonder, Gaye is notable for fighting the hit-making—but creatively restrictive—Motown record-making process, in which performers, songwriters and record producers were generally kept in separate camps. Gaye forced Motown to release his 1971 album What's Going On, which is today hailed as one of the best albums of all time. Subsequent releases proved that Gaye, who had been a part-time songwriter for Motown artists during his early years with the label, could write and produce his own singles without having to rely on the Motown system. This achievement would pave the way for the successes of later self-sufficient singer-songwriter-producers in African American music, such as Luther Vandross and Babyface.
During the 1970s, Gaye would release several other notable albums, including Let's Get It On and I Want You, and released several successful singles such as "Come Get to This", "Got to Give It Up" and "Sexual Healing". By the time of his shooting death in 1984, at the hands of his clergyman father, Gaye had become one of the most influential artists of the soul music era.
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Marvin Gaye '50' (International Version)
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over Your eyes don't shine like they used to shine And the…
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing Ooh, baby Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby Ain't noth…
California Soul Like a sound you hear That lingers in your ear You can't…
Can I Get A Witness - Album Version / Stereo Ah, listen everybody, especially you girls Is it right to be…
Come Get to This Ah Girl, you've been gone away a real long time (ah) I…
Distant Lover You may recognize this theme From my Trouble Man album It's…
Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky) Flying high in the friendly sky Flying high without ever lea…
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy to Come By Good lovin' ain't easy Good lovin' ain't easy Good lovin' ai…
How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You) How sweet it is to be loved by you How sweet…
I Heard It Through the Grapevine Ooh, I bet you're wonderin' how I knew 'Bout your plans…
I Wanna Be Where You Are Ah, I wanna be where you are, ooh baby I gotta…
I Want You My lovin' heart would shake More than the earth could quake …
I'll Be Around I'll be around, No matter how You treat me now I'll be aroun…
I'll Never Stop Loving You Baby There's a spark inside my heart That sets my soul on…
If I Should Die Tonight Oh, If I should die tonight Oh baby, though it be…
If This World Were Mine If this world were mine, I'd place at your feet All…
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) Dah, dah, dah, dah dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah Dah,…
It Takes Two Come here, Marvin, let me tell you something (yeah, baby) Y…
Just to Keep You Satisfied You were my wife, my life, my hopes and dreams For…
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey Keep on lovin' me honey, keep on lovin' me true Baby,…
Let's Get It On I've been really tryin', baby Tryin' to hold back this feeli…
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Woo ah, mercy mercy me Ah things ain't what they used…
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Album Version / Stereo Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah Ah say…
The Onion Song The world is just a great big onion And pain and…
Unforgettable Unforgettable That's what you are Unforgettable Tho' near or…
What's Going On Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, broth…
What's Happening Brother Hey baby, what'cha know good I'm just gettin' back, but you…
You Are Everything Today I saw somebody Who looked just like you He walked like…
You're a Special Part of Me You're a special part of me Special part of me That special…
You're All I Need To Get By (You're all I need to get by, ah) (You're all I…