I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Barry White / Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I loved you more
It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don'tcha know that I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I'm just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
(I heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine baby, ooh)
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see
'Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved someone else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I'm just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
(I heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby, ooh)
People say, "Believe half of what you see
Son, and none of what you hear"
But I can't help but be confused
If it's true please tell me dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don't you know I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Baby, I heard it through the grapevine
Ooh, just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
(I heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Honey, honey, I know (I heard it through the grapevine)
That you're letting me go (Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
Said I heard it through the grapevine (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ooh, ooh I heard it through the grapevine
The lyrics of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” tell a story of a man who discovers through rumors that his lover is planning to leave him for someone else. The man is devastated and can't hold back his tears because he loved her more than the other guy. He knows a man is not supposed to cry, but he can't contain his emotions. The singer is wondering how he knew it and is confused if everything he heard is true. The song is all about the man's emotions and his struggle to accept the news. He feels betrayed and hurt, but cannot help himself still loving her.
The lyrics of this song speaks about the pain of unrequited love, which is a universal emotion that many people can relate to. Barry White and Marvin Gaye's interpretation of the song are both filled with raw emotion, which gives it an added layer of depth, making the song timeless. The song became an instant classic due to its powerful lyrics and soulful vocals. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” has been covered by numerous artists, including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and Michael McDonald.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
I imagine you are curious about how I found out
'Bout your plans to make me blue
Regarding your intent to make me sad
With some other guy you knew before
Involving a man from your past
Between the two of us guys
In our relationship
You know I loved you more
I had stronger feelings of love for you
It took me by surprise I must say
It was unexpected and caught me off guard
When I found out yesterday
Upon learning the news the day before
Don'tcha know that I heard it through the grapevine
Do you not realize that I learned this by hearing rumors
Not much longer would you be mine
There is not much time left before we are no longer together
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I learned it through word of mouth
Oh, I'm just about to lose my mind
Oh, I am on the verge of losing my sanity
Honey, honey, yeah
Endearing term of address
(I heard it through the grapevine)
Reiteration of prior statement
(Not much longer would you be mine baby, ooh)
Reiteration of impending end to being together
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
I am aware that men are typically expected not to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
But I cannot contain these tears
Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would be devastating for me
'Cause you mean that much to me
Because you are so important to me
You could have told me yourself
You had the opportunity to inform me directly
That you loved someone else
That you had feelings for someone else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
However, I heard about it through rumors
And I'm just about to lose my mind
And I am close to a state of insanity
People say, "Believe half of what you see
It is often said to only trust part of what you observe
Son, and none of what you hear"
This is advice passed down through generations
But I can't help but be confused
However, I cannot help but feel perplexed
If it's true please tell me dear
If these rumors are accurate, please inform me honestly
Do you plan to let me go
Are you intending to end our relationship
For the other guy you loved before?
To be with the man you had feelings for in the past?
Honey, honey, yeah
Endearing term of address
(I heard it through the grapevine)
Reiteration of prior statement
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby, ooh)
Reiteration of impending end to being together
Honey, honey, I know (I heard it through the grapevine)
Endearing term of address + reiteration of prior statement
That you're letting me go (Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
That you are ending our relationship soon
Said I heard it through the grapevine (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Stated once more that I learned it through word of mouth
Ooh, ooh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, oh, I learned it through rumors
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind