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.
Abraham Martin and John
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you tell me where he's gone?
Oh, he freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young, yeah
I just looked around and he was gone
Hmmm
Can you tell me where he's gone?
You know, he freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young, yeah
I just looked around and he was gone
Oh yeah
Has anyone here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young, yeah
I just looked around and he was gone
Has anyone here seen my friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
You know, he freed a lot of people
But the good, they die young, yeah
I just looked around and he was gone
Oh, I just looked around and they were gone, oh yes
Marvin Gaye's "Abraham Martin and John" is a mournful and poignant song lamenting the loss of four great men who fought for justice and equality. The lyrics begin with an enigmatic question, "Has anyone here seen my old friend Abraham?" The reference is to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was known for his leadership during the Civil War, during which he worked tirelessly to end slavery. The reference to his untimely death is a nod to the fact that despite his efforts for freedom, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer.
The song then moves onto other great men who were lost too soon, including John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy. All four men were advocates for civil rights and justice, and their deaths shook the country to its core. Gaye's lyrics highlight that despite the strides they made, their lives were cut short, leaving an empty space of what could have been. The phrase, "it seems the good die young" is a distilled sadness of the song.
In many ways, "Abraham Martin and John" is a tribute to what could have been had these men not been taken from us too soon. It reminds us that the fight for justice and inclusion is ongoing and that we should continue to work towards a more equal society that they fought for. It is a song that still resonates today, calling for us to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still have to go.
Line by Line Meaning
Has anyone here seen my old friend Abraham?
Marvin Gaye is asking if anyone has seen Abraham, his old friend, possibly in reference to Abraham Lincoln. He then questions where Abraham has gone, insinuating that he had a significant impact on American society.
Can you tell me where he's gone?
Marvin Gaye is calling on the audience to provide information, suggesting that he cannot find information about Abraham's whereabouts.
Oh, he freed a lot of people
Marvin Gaye notes that Abraham freed a lot of people, referring to the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War.
But it seems the good die young, yeah
Marvin Gaye reflects on how the good people, like Abraham, often die young, implying that death is unfair and that important societal figures should not be lost so soon.
I just looked around and he was gone
Marvin Gaye realizes that Abraham is no longer present, suggesting that he has passed away and that he is remembered fondly for his role in American history.
Has anyone here seen my old friend John?
Marvin Gaye asks if anyone has seen John, likely referring to John F. Kennedy, the former President of the United States. He seeks to find information about his whereabouts.
Can you tell me where he's gone?
Marvin Gaye is calling on the audience to provide information, suggesting that he cannot find information about John's whereabouts.
You know, he freed a lot of people
Marvin Gaye notes that John freed a lot of people, but the societal impact is not as significant as Abraham's.
But it seems the good die young, yeah
Marvin Gaye reflects on how the good people, like John, often die young, implying that death is unfair and that important societal figures should not be lost so soon.
I just looked around and he was gone
Marvin Gaye realizes that John is no longer present, suggesting that he has passed away and that he is remembered fondly for his role in American history.
Has anyone here seen my old friend Martin?
Marvin Gaye is now asking for information about Martin, likely referring to Martin Luther King Jr. He seeks to learn about his current whereabouts.
Can you tell me where he's gone?
Marvin Gaye is calling on the audience to provide information, suggesting that he cannot find information about Martin's whereabouts.
He freed a lot of people
Marvin Gaye notes that Martin freed a lot of people through his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, acknowledging his significant impact on American society.
But it seems the good die young, yeah
Marvin Gaye reflects on how the good people, like Martin, often die young, implying that death is unfair and that important societal figures should not be lost so soon.
I just looked around and he was gone
Marvin Gaye realizes that Martin is no longer present, suggesting that he has passed away and that he is remembered fondly for his role in American history.
Has anyone here seen my friend Bobby?
Marvin Gaye asks if anyone has seen Bobby, likely referring to Robert Kennedy, the former Attorney General of the United States. He seeks to learn about his current whereabouts.
Can you tell me where he's gone?
Marvin Gaye is calling on the audience to provide information, suggesting that he cannot find information about Bobby's whereabouts.
You know, he freed a lot of people
Marvin Gaye notes that Bobby freed a lot of people during his time as Attorney General, but his societal impact is not as significant as that of Abraham or Martin.
But the good, they die young, yeah
Marvin Gaye reflects on how the good people, like Bobby, often die young, implying that death is unfair and that important societal figures should not be lost so soon.
I just looked around and he was gone
Marvin Gaye realizes that Bobby is no longer present, suggesting that he has passed away and that he is remembered fondly for his role in American history.
Oh, I just looked around and they were gone, oh yes
Marvin Gaye laments the loss of these important figures in American history, highlighting how their presence is sorely missed.
Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: Richard Holler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind