Distant Lover
Marvin Gaye Lyrics


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You may recognize this theme
From my Trouble Man album
It's one of my favorite themes so
I'm happy to, I thought it was very pretty

We're going to
Do a thing now that we hope you enjoy
Some people told me
You know when you're in love
And your lover leaves you and you've got nobody
The lonely hours come over you
You sit and wonder and think, you say ooh

Distant lover
Lover
Ooh-ooh-ooh
So many miles away
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ha-oh, how I long for you every night,
Every night
And sometimes I yearn through the day

Distant lover
Ooh-ooh, lover
You should think about me
Say a prayer for me
Please, oh please baby
Think about me sometimes
Think about me here
Here in misery

Oh, say it, baby

As I reminisce
Through our joyful summer together
The promises we made, baby
All the daily letters
Then, all of a sudden
Everything seemed to explode
Now, I gaze out my window
Sugar, down a lonesome road, ooh

Distant lover
Ooh
Sugar, how can you treat my heart
So mean and cruel?
Didn't you know, sugar
That every moment that I spent with you
I treasure it like it was a precious jewel
Oh baby, Lord have mercy

I treasured it, baby
And you want to leave, ooh
Oh baby, don't go

Please, come back, baby
Ooh-ooh
Somethin' I wanna say
When you left
You took all of me with you
Now Lord, I want
Do you wanna hear me, plead, scream?
Please, please, oh please baby?
Come back home, girl
Oh baby oh
Oh-oh baby, please darlin'




Oh ooh come back home
Home

Overall Meaning

In Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover", he describes the pain of being apart from a loved one who's miles away. He starts the song by mentioning that the theme is from his album "Trouble Man", and he loves it because it's beautiful. The song talks about the heartbreak one endures when their lover leaves and there is no one to talk to or be with. The lyrics convey his longing for his distant lover and how he yearns for them throughout the day and every night. He pleads with his lover to think about him and say a prayer for him sometimes, to keep him in her thoughts.


Gaye then reminisces on the joyful times they had together, during the summer, and the letters they wrote to each other every day. He remembers feeling like every moment they spent together was a precious jewel to him. But then, everything seemed to explode, and his lover left. He questions how someone he treasured so much can treat his heart so mean and cruel. He's left with nothing but the memories and the pain of being alone.


Overall, "Distant Lover" is a beautiful yet melancholic song that evokes feelings of loneliness and heartbreak. It reminds listeners that love is not always easy and can cause a great deal of pain when it ends.


Line by Line Meaning

You may recognize this theme
Marvin Gaye explains that this song is from his album called Trouble Man and he loves this theme of distant lovers.


We're going to
Marvin Gaye sets the scene for the listeners and says that they are about to sing a song about distant lovers.


Some people told me
Marvin Gaye notes that some people have told him how tough it is to be in love when the lover leaves, and all you have are lonely hours to ponder.


Distant lover
Marvin Gaye starts singing about the distant lover and how he's miles away from him, and he longs for him every day and night.


You should think about me
Marvin Gaye requests the distant lover to think about him, say a prayer for him and feel his misery.


As I reminisce
Marvin Gaye reminisces about the happy times he spent with his distant lover during the summer, the promises they made and the daily letters they exchanged.


Distant lover
Marvin Gaye continues to sing about the distant lover and wonders why he had to leave and treat his heart so mean and cruel.


I treasured it, baby
Marvin Gaye tells his lover that he treasured every moment he spent with him and how he feels like his lover has taken everything from him when he left.


Please, come back, baby
Marvin Gaye pleads with his lover to come back to him and says that he needs him desperately.


Somethin' I wanna say
Marvin Gaye gets emotional and says that he has something important to say.


When you left
Marvin Gaye sings about how his lover took everything from him when he left, and he feels incomplete without him.


Oh-oh baby, please darlin'
Marvin Gaye asks his lover to come back home and not leave him alone in misery.


Oh ooh come back home
Marvin Gaye pleads with his lover to come back home to him.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Marvin Gaye, Sandra Elaine Greene

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@susangar1984

Distant Lover
Song by (Marvin Gaye) -Distant lover, lover
(Lover, lover, lover)
So many miles away
Heaven knows that I long for you
Every night, every night
And sometimes I yearn
Through the day
Distant lover, lover
(Lover, lover, lover)
You should think about me
And say a prayer for me
Please, please baby
Think about me sometimes
Think about me here
Here in misery
Misery
As I reminisce, oh baby
Through our joyful summer together
The promises we made
All the daily letters
Then, all of a sudden
Everything seemed to explode
Now, I gaze out my window
Sugar, down a lonesome road
Distant lover
(Lover, lover, lover)
Sugar, how can you treat my heart
So mean and cruel
Sugar, sugar
That every moment that I spent with you
I treasure it like it was a precious jewel
(Please) Lord have mercy
Please, come back, baby
Somethin' I wanna say
When you left
You took all of me with you my lord I wonder
Do you wanna hear me scream
Please please oh please baby
Come back and hold me, girl



All comments from YouTube:

@murielmoore4327

I am now 78 years old, sooooooooooooooo enjoy listening to Marvin's music. Awwwww, his music soothes my soul. This kind of music from back in the day was so much about love, you could feel it throughout your entire body. Glade I was born in the era of music which made you enjoy love making with your significant other. Miss you Marvin, miss you!!!!!

@MrCool80Breeze

👍😉

@ChosenOne1111

Amazing!!! ☺

@susankring2677

You got that right Miss Muriel!! Marvin takes me to another place... I too am glad I had all this (R&B) music to listen to when I was young..... This is especially beautiful!

@raeroberson97

I AM 53 I MISS THIS LOVE MUSIC

@carmell71

You must remember "the good old days". Duke, Louie, Chuck, etc. It seems as though Marvin took all that talent and wrapped it up into his soul. I'm 19 years younger than you. I had an argument with my wife earlier. After we were "done", I put my headphones on, started with Marvin's "Inner city blues". Next thing you know, I'm watching this vid and saw your comment. (sexual healing used to be our song) I unplugged my headphones & let it play aloud. Within 30 seconds, she came out of her "room of doom" & hugged me, telling me she was sorry. (would be inappropriate to go further) LOL! So I guess what I'm trying to say, your comment is appreciated. Literally!!!

166 More Replies...

@icebergslim287

Marvin Gaye has to be one of the greatest vocalists of all time!! His range had no limits and his showmanship was unmatched.

@stephenmcgiff8877

Without question the very best,
Cool as, the soul father

@teedavenport6721

Try October London ❤

@dennismiles1

‘Marvelous Marvin’ is the man, & he always will be.

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