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.
Baby I Need Your Loving
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Baby, I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, 'nother night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I'd rather be darling
If it means having you to keep,
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
If at nights I call your name
Oh, sometimes I wonder
Will I ever be the same?
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
You know darling things have gotten worse
Any smile you might see baby it's all been rehearsed
Darling, I can't go on without you
This emptiness won't let me live without you
This loneliness inside, darling
Makes me feel half alive
Oh baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'(oh pretty baby,baby)
I need, I need your lovin'(need you)
Oh baby, baby I need your lovin'(I need your lovin')
All you lovin'(baby, baby)
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song Baby I Need Your Lovin' are about a man desperately yearning for the love and affection of his partner. Though they are physically distant, the man speaks about constantly hearing her voice in his head, and missing her throughout the day and night. He laments his loneliness and desires to hold her tight, admitting his weakness and willingness to beg for her love. He cannot imagine continuing to exist without her presence in his life, as the emptiness he feels from their separation makes him feel "half alive". He finishes the song by repeating his plea for her love, expressing his need to have all of it.
The lyrics of the song are relatable to anyone who has experienced a deep longing for someone they love. The man in the song puts all his vulnerability on display, admitting his weakness and desperation for love. Gaye delivers the lyrics with his signature smooth and soulful voice, which elevates the song into a classic masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I need your lovin'
I can't live without your love and I desperately crave your affection.
Although you're never near
Even though you're not physically with me, I still feel your presence and hear your voice in my head.
Your voice I often hear
Your voice is constantly echoing in my mind and it brings me comfort even when you're not around.
Another day, 'nother night
Every passing moment feels like an eternity without you and each day feels like it's dragging on forever.
I long to hold you tight
I crave the physical intimacy of holding you close and feeling your embrace.
'Cause I'm so lonely
My loneliness consumes me and I can't bear to go on without you by my side.
Got to have all your lovin'
I need all of your love and affection, nothing less will suffice.
Some say it's a sign of weakness
People may view my desperate need for your love as a sign of vulnerability or weakness.
For a man to beg
It's considered unmanly for a guy to ask for affection, but I'm willing to do so for you.
Then weak I'd rather be darling
I'd rather be seen as weak and vulnerable than live without your love and affection.
If it means having you to keep
I'm willing to do anything and everything to have you in my life, even if it means sacrificing my pride.
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
My thoughts of you keep me up at night and I'm exhausted from the constant need for your love and attention.
If at nights I call your name
I find myself calling out for you at night, hoping to feel some sort of connection to you.
Oh, sometimes I wonder
I often question whether I'll ever be able to live without you and if I'll ever find happiness on my own.
Will I ever be the same?
I fear that without you in my life, I'll never be able to experience joy or happiness again.
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
Even when I appear happy or content, it's all an act and I'm still hurting on the inside.
You know darling things have gotten worse
You're the only one who truly knows how much I'm struggling without you and things have only gotten worse with time.
Any smile you might see baby it's all been rehearsed
Even if I try to fake a smile, it's all forced and rehearsed because I can't truly be happy without you in my life.
Darling, I can't go on without you
I need you in my life and I can't continue living without your love and affection.
This emptiness won't let me live without you
My life feels empty and meaningless without you and I can't imagine going on like this forever.
This loneliness inside, darling
My feelings of loneliness and emptiness are consuming me and I can't bear it any longer.
Makes me feel half alive
My desire for your love and affection is so intense that without it, I feel incomplete and like I'm only living a half-life.
I need, I need your lovin'
I can't stress enough how much I need your love and affection in my life.
All you lovin'(oh pretty baby,baby)
Your love is everything to me and I can't imagine living without it. Oh pretty baby, I need your love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind