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.
Anna's Song
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm making love all night long
Take a bath in milk, and lay on your satin sheets
Laughing, smiling (oh, oh)
Lay a while in (oh, oh)
Chocolate mint candy sweets
They're only cross the way (living across the way)
This is Anna's song (this is Anna's song, this is Anna's song)
Yeah, keep on singing all night long (loving my song, loving my song)
Oh, work so hard, see me making dollars (remember make some money)
I know I should for my own good, what's it, husband
Makes you so stubborn, and, oh
Didn't you notice the snow started to fall?
Come, let us sit a while
Just listen To the children laughing and running wild
Anna
Anna
Anna
Yeah, now this is Anna's song
Hey, baby, hey, baby
Loving you all night long
Let it happen again
And again, and again, baby Anna again
She's a child of the sun, lovingest one of all
Mmm, now this is Anna's song, yeah
Keep on loving me, baby, loving me cross the hall
She can't do no wrong 'cause this is Anna's song
Laugh and chatter to you
Kiss me, Anna dear
Ooh, baby
Hey, Anna, here's your song, yeah
The one that I promised, baby, promised you all along, baby
I knew all the time that I'd find the rhyme
Never have a fear, here it is, my dear
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's "Anna's Song" describe a night of passionate love with Anna. He sings about all the luxurious things they can indulge in, such as taking a milk bath and lounging on satin sheets. Gaye also mentions chocolate mint and candy treats, making the atmosphere feel sweet and playful. He then acknowledges their neighbors who are living across the way, but this does not deter him from enjoying Anna's company. Gaye praises Anna's beauty and personality, stating that she is the lovingest and can do no wrong. In the bridge, the song takes a shift toward introspection as Gaye mentions the snowfall and children's laughter outside. He then turns his attention back to Anna, assuring her that he has found the perfect words to express his love for her.
Line by Line Meaning
This is Anna's song
The song is dedicated to Anna
I'm making love all night long
Staying intimate with Anna the whole night
Take a bath in milk, and lay on your satin sheets
Taking a luxurious bath with milk and then laying in soft comfortable sheets
Laughing, smiling (oh, oh)
Feeling happy and joyous
Lay a while in (oh, oh)
Enjoy each other's company comfortably
Chocolate mint candy sweets
Candy-like kisses that are sweet on the lips
They're only cross the way (living across the way)
Anna's neighbors who live nearby
(Living across the way, living across the way)
Re-emphasizes cross the way
Yeah, keep on singing all night long (loving my song, loving my song)
Zoned out in singing a love song all night
Oh, work so hard, see me making dollars (remember make some money)
Working hard for money but also remembering to love and care for Anna
I know I should for my own good, what's it, husband
Understands that he should take care of himself but wonders why being a husband makes him stubborn
Makes you so stubborn, and, oh
Being a husband makes him more rigid in his attitude
Didn't you notice the snow started to fall?
Asks Anna if she saw the snow falling
Come, let us sit a while
Taking a break from the daily routine and being together
Just listen To the children laughing and running wild
Enjoying the innocent sound of children playing
Anna
Addressing Anna with affection
Yeah, now this is Anna's song
Reaffirming that the song is dedicated to Anna
Hey, baby, hey, baby
Addressing Anna lovingly
Loving you all night long
Expressing their love for Anna through the night
Let it happen again
Expressing the desire to make more love to Anna
And again, and again, baby Anna again
Repeating their love-making with Anna
She's a child of the sun, lovingest one of all
Anna is full of light and love
Mmm, now this is Anna's song, yeah
Emphasizing one more time that the song is dedicated to Anna
Keep on loving me, baby, loving me cross the hall
Expressing the desire to be loved by Anna even if they are separated by a wall
She can't do no wrong 'cause this is Anna's song
Anna is perfect in their eyes and this song signifies that
Laugh and chatter to you
Being happy in each other's company
Kiss me, Anna dear
Asking Anna for a kiss
Ooh, baby
Expressing affection for Anna
Hey, Anna, here's your song, yeah
Acknowledging that Anna finally gets her song
The one that I promised, baby, promised you all along, baby
Assuring Anna that she finally gets the song he promised
I knew all the time that I'd find the rhyme
Always knew he would find the perfect song for Anna
Never have a fear, here it is, my dear
Telling Anna not to worry because the perfect song is finally here
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laura Laura
This is Anna's song
I'm making love all night long
Take a bath in milk, and lay on your satin sheets
Laughing, smiling (oh, oh)
Lay a while in (oh, oh)
Chocolate mint candy sweets
They're only cross the way (living across the way)
(Living across the way, living across the way)
This is Anna's song (this is Anna's song, this is Anna's song)
Yeah, keep on singing all night long (loving my song, loving my song)
Oh, work so hard, see me making dollars (remember make some money)
I know I should for my own good, what's it, husband
Makes you so stubborn, and, oh
Didn't you notice the snow started to fall?
Come, let us sit a while
Just listen To the children laughing and running wild
Anna
Anna
Anna
Yeah, now this is Anna's song
Hey, baby, hey, baby
Loving you all night long
Let it happen again
And again, and again, baby Anna again
She's a child of the sun, lovingest one of all
Mmm, now this is Anna's song, yeah
Keep on loving me, baby, loving me cross the hall
She can't do no wrong 'cause this is Anna's song
Laugh and chatter to you
Kiss me, Anna dear
Ooh, baby
Hey, Anna, here's your song, yeah
The one that I promised, baby, promised you all along, baby
I knew all the time that I'd find the rhyme
Never have a fear, here it is, my dear
Corea Kixx
His poorest selling album, but I believe it to be his crowning glory. Masterpiece is not even close to describing this beauty.
Shawn Hill
@king 06 I was just about to say this, the judge ordered him to give the sales to Anna.
Andrew Kellock
Seem's like he had the most fun on this album, just letting loose and doing his thing however he wanted. What's Going On was a very strong record artistically, but probably not a very relaxed record for him to make
king 06
Corea Kixx most likely because profits went to his wife as part of the divorce settlement.
Steven Vega
I'm so happy to see all the folks who appreciate Marvin and his music. He's been my favorite for 35 years... I watched him as he performed the national anthem at the 1983 NBA all-star game... Rocked my world! I'd been listening to his music for years before and loved it. But that performance solidified it for me. Marvin lives forever in the lives of those who remember and appreciate him.
Chad Butler
the pain in his voice is just magical I feel it in every way
Dee Africa
This is Anna's song is about her extravagance and wanted to be treated like a princess while she demanded this type of treatment from Marvin as he worked all night long and she could do no wrong. When he speaks her name 3 times it's like he would like to replace with " bitch".
Cliff Bevly
she was much older they wouldn't let this album be published has too take it off the market
Jeremy
I discovered this album after a tough break up and Marvin's voice said everything I was feeling. The pain in his voice felt like my pain and I will always love Marvin for that.
Ron Buil
Wow, this just happened to me. He helped me get through the rough patches, hope you found peace friend