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.
Checking Out
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Name of Bohannon
They can play the music straight
But they thought they'd double clutch it for you
So, you see, they got together
These cats sure are funky
Called the Double Clutch
You see, these is just a bunch of cats from Detroit
Called, "Bohannon and The Cats"
So they got together and thought of this funky thing
They wanted y'all to do the Double Clutch
Sure is funky
You see, these cats from Detroit
Bohannon and Ray
And Melvin
Playing the Double Clutch
Now, all through this album
We played the double up
Well
By now
You should be deep in it
It's all over about now, y'all
We hate to leave you
But we got to go
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song Checking Out convey a message about a group of musicians from Detroit, named Bohannon, who have created a funky dance called the Double Clutch. The song praises the band's ability to play music straight but also acknowledge their desire to showcase their creativity and offer something different. The lyrics are a tribute to their funky music and their skilled musicianship. Marvin Gaye's voice adds an extra layer of soul and emotion to the song, elevating what could have been a simple description of the band and their music to an introspective commentary on the importance of artistic expression and individuality.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a message of freedom and belonging, as the band members come together to create something unique and share it with the world. The dance, the Double Clutch, represents the freedom to express oneself and the desire to connect with others through music and rhythm. The song also celebrates the end of a successful album and tour, acknowledging the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind something that has brought joy to many.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, these are just a bunch of guys from Detroit
Marvin Gaye introduces Bohannon and The Cats, a group of musicians from Detroit.
Name of Bohannon
Marvin Gaye specifically names the group's leader, Bohannon.
They can play the music straight
The group is capable of playing standard funk music without any flourish.
But they thought they'd double clutch it for you
Bohannon and The Cats decided to add a unique twist to their music by creating a funk dance called the Double Clutch.
So, you see, they got together
The musicians worked collaboratively to create this new dance style.
These cats sure are funky
Bohannon and The Cats are known for their ability to create funky music.
And they thought you might dig a little dance
The group believed that their fans would enjoy learning this new dance style.
Called the Double Clutch
The name of the dance style that the group created.
You see, these is just a bunch of cats from Detroit
Marvin Gaye reiterates that the group is from Detroit.
Called, "Bohannon and The Cats"
The full name of the group is mentioned.
So they got together and thought of this funky thing
The group worked collaboratively to create the Double Clutch dance style.
They wanted y'all to do the Double Clutch
Bohannon and The Cats hoped that their fans would learn and perform the Double Clutch dance.
Sure is funky
Marvin Gaye comments on how funky the Double Clutch dance style is.
You see, these cats from Detroit
Another reminder that Bohannon and The Cats are from Detroit.
Bohannon and Ray
Two members of the group, Bohannon and Ray, are mentioned by name.
And Melvin
Another member of the group, Melvin, is mentioned by name.
Playing the Double Clutch
The group is performing their own dance style, the Double Clutch.
Now, all through this album
Marvin Gaye is referencing the entire album that the song appears on.
We played the double up
Throughout the album, Bohannon and The Cats frequently performed the Double Clutch dance style.
Well
A transition into the final lines of the song.
By now
Marvin Gaye believes that, at this point in the song, listeners should be fully engaged and enjoying the music.
You should be deep in it
Marvin Gaye encourages listeners to fully embrace and appreciate the music and dance style being presented.
It's all over about now, y'all
The song and album are coming to an end.
We hate to leave you
Marvin Gaye expresses regret at having to end the song and album.
But we got to go
Marvin Gaye and the musicians are leaving, ending the song and album on this note.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hamilton Frederick Bohannon, Marvin P Gaye, Michael James Henderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind