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.
All My Life
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna take you in my arms (let me hold you)
And squeeze you, baby, tighter all my life
If you would only do this one thing for me (oh, my darling)
I wonder if you'd let me (let me call you)
Sweet names like (honey), baby, sweetheart, all my life
If you will have me, well, baby, I'm yours
Just one more thing I wanna say (oh, my darling)
I'll give my life to you (just let me love you)
I need you to (love me)
Cherish you, always, all my life
Oh, babe
Yeah, yeah
My darling, I offer you my heart and soul
If you will have me, well, baby, I'm yours
Just one more thing I wanna say (oh, my darling)
I'll give my life to you (let me love you)
I need you to (love me)
Cherish you always, woo, all my life (oh, baby)
I need you, I love you, baby
All my life
Yes, I will
I need you, baby, always
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song All My Life are a heartfelt expression of a long-lasting and devoted love. The singer is deeply in love with their partner and wishes to hold, squeeze and cherish them all their life. The singer is so enamored with their significant other that they yearn to call them sweet names like honey, baby, sweetheart, and use those endearments for the rest of their lives. The lyrics are a testament to the singer's strong desire to be with this person forever, and they are willing to give all that they have for them.
Throughout the song, Gaye's vocals alternate between smooth, tender tones and passionate, soulful exclamations, adding to the emotional weight of the lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "all my life" emphasizes the singer's commitment and dedication to their lover. They offer their heart and soul, declaring that they are theirs if they will have them.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, every time I see you (oh, my darling)
Whenever I catch a glimpse of you, my dearest, I feel an intense urge to be with you.
I wanna take you in my arms (let me hold you)
I long to hold you close and keep you safe from the world's troubles.
And squeeze you, baby, tighter all my life
I want to cling to you tighter with each passing day, never letting go of the love that we share.
If you would only do this one thing for me (oh, my darling)
My beloved, if you would just fulfill this one wish of mine,
I wonder if you'd let me (let me call you)
Won't you allow me to refer to you with the most affectionate names?
Sweet names like (honey), baby, sweetheart, all my life
I would be honored to shower you with terms of endearment forevermore.
My darling, I offer you my heart and soul
I pledge my entire being to you, my love.
If you will have me, well, baby, I'm yours
If you accept me, I vow to be yours and yours alone for all time.
Just one more thing I wanna say (oh, my darling)
There's one last thing I must express, oh cherished one.
I'll give my life to you (just let me love you)
I am willing to give everything I have to offer, as long as I can continue to love you deeply.
I need you to (love me)
Your love is what sustains me and gives me purpose in life.
Cherish you, always, all my life
I will always treasure you deeply and hold you in high esteem every day until the end of my days.
Oh, babe
Interjection expressing affection to a loved or desired person.
My darling, I offer you my heart and soul
I pledge my entire being to you, my love.
If you will have me, well, baby, I'm yours
If you accept me, I vow to be yours and yours alone for all time.
Just one more thing I wanna say (oh, my darling)
There's one last thing I must express, oh cherished one.
I'll give my life to you (let me love you)
I would be willing to lay down my life for you, as long as I can continue to love and cherish you.
I need you to (love me)
Your affection and devotion are essential to my well-being and happiness.
Cherish you always, woo, all my life (oh, baby)
I will always regard you as a precious treasure worth loving and cherishing until the end of eternity.
I need you, I love you, baby
I require you in my life, my feelings of love for you are genuine and unequivocal.
All my life
Throughout my entire existence, I will carry my love for you in my heart.
Yes, I will
Affirming answer to a question of commitment or devotion.
I need you, baby, always
I yearn for your companionship and presence by my side, constantly.
Writer(s): Marvin P Gaye, William Stevenson, Clarence O. Paul
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.