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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Comments from YouTube:

@way2real364

There will NEVER EVER be another Marvin Gaye.... The Brother is PURE GENIUS on a SPIRITUAL Level.... ALL of his Music Lyrics TOUCHED your SOUL, if u have a SOUL.... The Music we have Today is PURE GARBAGE.... The Music Today does nothing for your SOUL or SPIRIT in a Positive way...

@arch3223

Franky, not the friend you want, but the friend you need.
That's a bro.

@marcocepek

how do you get better than this? no amount of technology can replace this kind of greatness

@oliverplato

just thinking the same thing...the computer will never be tribal..let's use the machines for efficiency, then leave them on the shelves like books... Stirling Boy

@mysticman9331

He poured his heart and soul to this song (as he always does any other song). He actually went into a trance and the guitar man had to check on him. Marvelous Marvin Gaye

@Chinyjackson89

Are you serious?

@cmilliones

"Something funky goin down man" ...I wish folks still talked like that today

@teeteejack1035

I'm glad I had the opportunity to grow up listening to the BEST,Funky soul,can you dig it

@robertpenn1948

It just let's you know how great times were back then !

@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853

@Music Guy *homie

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