I Heard It Through The Grapevine
M.Gaye 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 lyrics to "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye describe a man who discovers through the grapevine (a gossip network) that his girlfriend is planning to end their relationship and be with someone else. The singer is heartbroken and feels betrayed that his girlfriend didn't tell him herself. He loves her deeply and losing her would be devastating. He's confused and wants to know if the rumors are true. The song is about the pain of hearing bad news through rumors rather than from the source, and the uncertainty it creates.


The song was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, and was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. However, it was Marvin Gaye's version that became the most famous and enduring. It was released as a single in 1968 and topped the charts, becoming one of Gaye's most iconic songs. The song's popularity and enduring appeal are due in part to Gaye's soulful, emotional delivery and the catchy, unforgettable hook.


Line by Line Meaning

I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
You must be curious how I found out


'Bout your plans to make me blue
About your intentions that were ready to make me unhappy


With some other guy you knew before
You had a previous romantic relationship with another man


Between the two of us guys
Out of the two of us men


You know I loved you more
I had stronger feelings for you


It took me by surprise I must say
It came as a shock to me


When I found out yesterday
When I discovered this news just yesterday


Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Do you not realize that I heard it through gossip and rumors from others


Not much longer would you be mine
Our relationship wouldn't last much longer


Oh I heard it through the grapevine
I received this news through informal communication


Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm close to losing my composure


Honey, honey yeah.
An affectionate term of address


I know a man ain't supposed to cry
I am aware that society expects men not to cry


But these tears I can't hold inside
But these tears cannot be contained


Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would devastate me


'Cause you mean that much to me
Because you are so important to me


You could have told me yourself
You could have informed me directly


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


Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Rather, I learned through rumors and hearsay


And I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm close to my breaking point


People say believe half of what you see
People suggest that only half of what you witness is true


Son and none of what you hear
And to believe none of what you hear


But I can't help but be confused
But I can't help feeling confused


If it's true please tell me dear
If it's accurate, please inform me, love


Do you plan to let me go
Are you planning on ending things between us?


For the other guy you loved before?
For the other man that you previously loved?


Not much longer would you be mine, baby
Our romantic relationship would not remain for long




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Tarantulisimo

Marvin Gaye - lead vocals
The Andantes (Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps) - background vocals
Earl Van Dyke - Hammond organ
Johnny Griffith - Wurlitzer electric piano
Richard "Pistol" Allen and Uriel Jones - drums
James Jamerson - bass
Jack Ashford - percussion
Joe Messina - guitar
The Funk Brothers - instrumentation
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra - additional instrumentation
Paul Riser - string arrangement



All comments from YouTube:

@gibbo290989

hi everyone, just want to thank everyone for viewing the video as we pass 5 million!!and all the kind responses. 195 dislikes though?? not lovers of real music. keep viewing!!

@billymcmillin8754

💘 it keep it comeing 💘

@alabhaois

I would completely ignore any "thumbs-down"-- I think some people get their jollies being jerks. This song ROCKS!!!

@EoinFC

Haters gonna hate. Beautiful song, made all the more poignant with knowledge of his upbringing. RIP Marvin. Thanks for the music.

@stephensmart7388

Love Motown Music Simply the best

@iaincampbell8118

Luke Gibbons a ok Luke great listening,took me way back Iain Campbell

105 More Replies...

@Memecorp

Such a goddamn good song.

@garfieldlogan654

Testify

@stefanodanovaro8140

And the one by creedence clear water is sick as heck also

@dantediaz3096

Bo

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