I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Clive Gregson Lyrics


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I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'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't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
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

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 some one 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

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 yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
I'm just about to love my mind
Honey, honey, yeah




I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah

Overall Meaning

The Clive Gregson version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is a cover of the original song by Marvin Gaye. The lyrics speak of a man who has just learned from rumors circulating around town that his lover is planning to leave him for someone else. The singer of the song is heartbroken because he had no idea that anything was wrong in their relationship. He laments that he had to hear about the situation through the grapevine (a term used to refer to unofficial sources of information) instead of from his partner directly.


The song is a classic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and heartbreak. The singer of the song is devastated that he is about to lose the love of his life to another man. He is helpless to do anything to change the situation, as he had no idea that anything was wrong in their relationship. The lyrics also touch upon the theme of trust and the importance of communication in a relationship.


Interestingly, the song is not based on a true story. The songwriter, Norman Whitfield, and Barrett Strong, first wrote the song in 1966, and it was originally recorded by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. It was Motown's best-selling single until Marvin Gaye's version was released in 1968. Marvin Gaye's rendition became a massive hit, and it has since been covered multiple times by various artists.


Line by Line Meaning

I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
I have a notion that you're confused why I found out


'Bout your plans to make me blue
About your intention to sadden me


With some other guy you knew before
With the knowledge of the person you knew earlier


Between the two of us guys
There were only two of us involved


You know I loved you more
You should be aware that I had stronger feelings towards you


It took me by surprise I must say
It was unexpected for me


When I found out yesterday
When I discovered it the previous day


Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Do you not understand that I got the information through gossip


Not much longer would you be mine
It wouldn't be too long before you ended our relationship


Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I have been informed of it through rumors


Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm almost losing my sanity because of it


I know a man ain't supposed to cry
I am aware that it's not customary for men to weep


But these tears I can't hold inside
However, I can't help holding back my tears anymore


Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would mean the end of my life, I hope you understand


'Cause you mean that much to me
You should know how much you mean to me


You could have told me yourself
You had the opportunity to inform me directly


That you loved some one else
That you had feelings for someone else


Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Instead, I learned about it through rumors


And I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm almost losing control of my rationality


People say believe half of what you see
People commonly suggest that half of what you witness may be trustworthy


Son and none of what you hear
Offspring, and none of what you hear should be believed


But I can't help but be confused
I am still perplexed and unsure despite this advice


If it's true please tell me dear
If the rumors hold any truth, please be honest with me, love


Do you plan to let me go
Are you thinking of ending things with me


For the other guy you loved before?
For the man you previously had romantic feelings for?


Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
You wouldn't be mine for too long, dear


I'm just about to love my mind
I'm almost going insane


Honey, honey, yeah
My darling, my love


I heard it through the grapevine,
I heard about it through rumors


Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
You wouldn't be with me for much longer, dear




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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