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.
Easy Living
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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It's easy to live when you're in love
And I'm so in love
There is nothing in life but you
I never regret the years that I'm giving
They're easy to give when you're in love
I'm happy to do whatever I do for you
For you maybe I'm a fool
But it's fun
People say you rule me with one wave of your hand
Darling, it's grand
They just don't understand
Living for you is easy living
It's easy to live when you're in love
And I'm so in love
There's nothing in life but you
The song "Easy Living," written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin, was made famous by Billie Holiday in 1937. However, Marvin Gaye's version of the song was released in 1964 on his album "Hello Broadway." The lyrics of the song "Easy Living" speak about how simple life can be when living for someone you love. Marvin Gaye's version of the song features a smooth, soulful arrangement with Gaye's voice adding a touch of melancholy to the lyrics.
The opening lines of the song make it quite clear what the song is about; "Living for you is easy living. It's easy to live when you're in love." The song is about the easy, carefree life a person can have when they are in love. The singer of the song is so in love with their partner that their entire existence revolves around them. The ease with which they live for their partner is evident in the lines "I never regret the years that I'm giving. They're easy to give when you're in love. I'm happy to do whatever I do for you."
It is clear that the singer of the song is deeply devoted to their partner, and perhaps even a bit obsessed. As the line goes, "For you maybe I'm a fool, But it's fun." The lyrics suggest that there are those who might view the singer as foolish for loving someone so intensely, but the singer doesn't care. To them, life is easy as long as they are in love.
Overall, Marvin Gaye's version of "Easy Living" showcases his ability to take a classic song and add his own soulful twist to it. His voice conveys the emotions behind the lyrics perfectly, making the listener truly feel the ease and comfort that comes with being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Living for you is easy living
It's effortless to be alive when I have you in my life
It's easy to live when you're in love
Being in love makes life simpler
And I'm so in love
I am completely head over heels for you
There is nothing in life but you
You are everything to me, and nothing else matters as much
I never regret the years that I'm giving
I don't have any regrets for spending these years with you
They're easy to give when you're in love
Loving you makes it simpler to spend my years with you
I'm happy to do whatever I do for you
I am always happy to do anything for you and make you happy
For you maybe I'm a fool
Others may think I am foolish for loving you so much
But it's fun
Loving you may be foolish, but it is also enjoyable and worth it
People say you rule me with one wave of your hand
Others may believe you have complete control over me
Darling, it's grand
But my love for you is magnificent
They just don't understand
Others cannot comprehend the depths of my love for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: LEO ROBIN, RALPH RAINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind