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.
Anger
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It injures me, babe (anger)
Anger, can make you old (anger)
Yes it can (oh)
I said anger (anger)
Will make you sick children, (oh Jesus)
Anger (anger) destroy your soul (ooh)
Rage, there's no room for rage in there
There's no room for rage in here
Line up some place to go to be mad
It's a sin to treat your body bad
When anger really gets the best of us
We've really lost our heads
We often say a lof of things, oh darlin'
Wish we'd never said
Oh, reason is beyond control
And the things we do for spite
Makes me ashamed for my meanness, baby
Makes me want to do things right
Someday soon I hope and pray like Jesus
I'll reach that wiser age
Hope I will learn I really never never profit
From things I do in rage
One more time anger, more anger
When it's flaming hot
Anger burns to the bitter end
Know what I'm talkin' 'bout, woo
And when it cools I find out too late
I have lost at love, love, love, dear friend
I said, anger (anger)
Will make you sick children, (oh Jesus)
Anger (anger) destroy your soul (ooh)
I ain't gonna let you get the best of me, babe
I'm gonna go somewhere and cool
This is not the way my head's supposed to be, babe
You've got me feelin' like some silly fool
But I know a real nice place where I can go
And feel the way I'm supposed to feel
(Oh-oh-oh-oh) I don't want to be mad at nobody
(Oh-oh-oh-oh) I don't want to be feelin' bad
(Oh-oh-oh-oh) up and down my back, my spine, in my brain
(Oh-oh-oh) it injures me, babe (anger)
Anger, can make you old (anger)
Yes it can (oh)
I said anger (anger)
Will make you sick children, (oh Jesus)
Anger (anger) destroy your soul (ooh)
Anger, ooh-uh-uh
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Anger
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's song Anger explores the destructive effects of this powerful emotion. He expresses how anger can age a person quickly, cause illness, destroy one’s soul and ultimately lead to regretful actions. Gaye suggests that this behavior is something that can be controlled and prevented by finding a way to vent the emotions elsewhere. He encourages the audience to find a different outlet rather than unleashing their anger upon their body, that one should not let their anger get the best of them as it can lead to bad consequences. He voices the need for self-development and growth by being the bigger person in conflicts and learning to control your rage. By finding a better solution to set yourself free from anger instead of letting it consume you.
Line by Line Meaning
Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain (oh)
I feel the physical and mental effects of anger
Anger, can make you old (anger)
Anger can age you prematurely
Yes it can (oh)
This is a serious matter
I said anger (anger)
I am emphasizing the effects of anger
Will make you sick children, (oh Jesus)
Anger can have negative effects on children
Anger (anger) destroy your soul (ooh)
Anger can harm your spiritual well-being
Rage, there's no room for rage in there
There is no space for intense anger
There's no room for rage in here
I need to find a better way to handle my emotions
Line up some place to go to be mad
Find a safe space to express anger
It's a sin to treat your body bad
Harming oneself with anger is morally wrong
When anger really gets the best of us
When we cannot control our anger
We've really lost our heads
We have lost rational thinking
We often say a lof of things, oh darlin'
We say hurtful things to loved ones
Wish we'd never said
We regret our hurtful words
Oh, reason is beyond control
Anger can cloud one's judgement
And the things we do for spite
Malicious actions done out of anger
Makes me ashamed for my meanness, baby
I feel remorseful for my behavior
Makes me want to do things right
I want to improve my actions
Someday soon I hope and pray like Jesus
I aspire to be wise like Jesus
I'll reach that wiser age
I will reach a point where I am wiser
Hope I will learn I really never never profit
I hope to learn that anger never benefits me
From things I do in rage
From actions taken in anger
One more time anger, more anger
Reinforcing the destructive nature of anger
When it's flaming hot
When anger is at its most intense
Anger burns to the bitter end
Anger can have a long-lasting impact
Know what I'm talkin' 'bout, woo
I am emphasizing the seriousness of anger
And when it cools I find out too late
Realizing the damage caused by anger after the fact
I have lost at love, love, love, dear friend
Anger has harmed a significant relationship
I'm gonna go somewhere and cool
I need to take a break and calm down
This is not the way my head's supposed to be, babe
I don't want to think or act this way
You've got me feelin' like some silly fool
Anger has made me act irrationally
But I know a real nice place where I can go
I know a safe space to calm down
And feel the way I'm supposed to feel
Feelings of peace and calmness
I don't want to be mad at nobody
I don't want to hold anger towards anyone
I don't want to be feelin' bad
I don't want to feel negative emotions
Anger, ooh-uh-uh
Repeating the central theme of the song
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Repeating the central theme of the song
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Repeating the central theme of the song
Anger, uh-uh-uh
Repeating the central theme of the song
Anger
The title of the song repeating as a refrain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Delta Ashby, Ed Townsend, Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Limits98
Lyrics
Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain
It injures me, babe....
Anger, can make you old, yes it can
I said anger, can make you sick, children... oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
Rage, there's no room for rage in there
There's no room for rage in here
Line up some place to go to be mad
It's a sin to treat your body bad
When anger really gets the best of us
We've really lost our heads
We often say a lot of things, oh darling
Wish we'd never said
Oh, reason is beyond control
And the things we do for spite
Makes me ashamed
And I mean this, baby, makes me want to the things right
Someday soon I hope and pray like Jesus
I'll reach that wiser age
Hope I will learn I really never never profit
From things I do in rage
One more time-anger, oh anger
When it's flaming hot
Anger burns to the bitter end
Know what I'm talking 'bout
When it cools I find out too late
I have lost at love, love, love, dear friend
I said, anger will make you sick
Children, oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
I ain't gonna let you get the best of me, babe
I'm gonna go somewhere and cool
This is not the way my head's supposed to be, babe
You've got me feeling like some silly fool
But I know a real nice place where I can go
And feel the way I'm supposed to feel
I don't want to be mad at nobody
I don't want to be feeling bad
Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain
It injures me, babe
Anger, can make you old, yes it can
I said anger will make you sick, children, oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
Anger
Anger
Klyn
Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain
It injures me, babe...
Anger, can make you old, yes it can
I said anger, can make you sick, children... oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
Rage, there's no room for rage in there
There's no room for rage in here
Line up some place to go to be mad
It's a sin to treat your body bad
When anger really gets the best of us
We've really lost our heads
We often say a lof of things, oh darlin'
Wish we'd never said
Oh, reason is beyond control
And the things we do spite
Makes me ashamed
And I mean this, baby, makes me want to the things right
Someday soon I hope and pray like Jesus
I'll reach that wiser age
Hope I will learn I really never never profit
From things I do in rage
One more time-anger, more anger
When it's flaming hot
Anger burns to the bitter end
Know what I'm talkin' 'bout
When it cools I find out too late
I have lost at love, love, love, dear friend
I said, anger will make you sick,
Children, oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
I ain't gonna let you get the best of me, babe
I'm gonna go somewhere and cool
This is not the way my head's supposed to be, babe
You've got me feelin' like some silly fool
But I know a real nice place where I can go
And feel the way I'm supposed to feel
I don't want to be mad at nobody
I don't want to be feelin' bad
Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain
It injures me, babe
Anger, can make you old, yes it can
I said anger will make you sick, children, oh Jesus
Anger destroys your soul
Anger
Anger
Life Transitions
This song and album are evidence that Mr. Gaye was so much ahead of his time and such a musical genius. When he released this album in 1978 it was not well received and did not sell well. It is today considered some of his greatest work.
Umar Bentley
This was his divorce album.He was in the middle of a very bitter divorce with his wife at the time of this recording which explains the very hostile content,but still a very good album as Marvin displays his talent through heartbreak and adversity.
LoveJones
This is my favorite album of Marvin's! Every song is so relevant to what he was feeling and going thru at the time. You can hear a lot of emotions in every song but he delivered some serious vocals on this album! Sick range!!
Mel Bernstine
All the musical brilliance and deep felt emotions that is Marvin's hallmark! Marvin, we still love you!
Deloren Rogue
“Up and down my back, my spine, in my brain, IT INJURES ME!!!” ... amazing lyrics.
Mr.Moose
The Double CD edition of this album is an absolute must for everyone who loves Marvin's music.
Harvard Blue
Facts. #BRNWNR
Monica Carroll
This song is so true. When I was a kid listening to this album, I didn't understand what he was saying; I just loved the beat. This is one of his best albums. R.I.P. Willie James Patterson. I love & miss you daddy!!
only pimps eat tacos with their hoes
Wisdom takes time.
Dee One
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 in 2020! Marvin was exquisite Awesome.. can't get out the house to run errands for listening to him.. Once I start playing his music, I can't stop 👏🏽👏🏽