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-makingâbut creatively restrictiveâMotown 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.
Flyin
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flying high without ever leavin' the ground, no
Rest of the folks are tired and weary
Oh Lord, and have laid their bodies down.
I go the place where danger awaits me
And it's bound to forsake me.
So stupid minded.
I can't help it
But I go crazy when I can't find it,
In the morning, I'll be alright, my friend.
But soon the night will bring the pains,
The pain, oh the pain
Flying high in the friendly sky
Without ever leaving the ground
And I ain't seen nothing but trouble baby
Nobody really understands, no no
And I go to the place where the good feelin' awaits me
Selfdestruction in my hand
Oh Lord, so stupid minded
Oh and I go crazy when I can't find it
Well I know I'm hooked my friend
To the boy who makes slaves out of men.
And oh beleive me
Flying high in a friendly sky
Oh baby, flyin' high
Marvin Gaye's song "Flying High in the Friendly Sky" is a heartbreaking lamentation of addiction and the self-destructive cycle that it creates. The song's lyrics convey an intensely personal message with soulful complexity that speaks directly to the heart of those struggling with addiction.
The imagery of flying high without ever leaving the ground is the perfect metaphor for addiction, creating the sense of an otherworldly altered state that can only be reached through substance abuse. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the persona's addiction isn't just physical; it's also emotional and psychological. The singer is constantly searching for relief from the pain that plagues him, but his momentary high is always fleeting.
The lines "And I go to the place where the good feeling awaits me /Self-destruction in my hand" embody the dichotomy of addiction â the temporary feeling of elation, followed by a swift descent into destructive behavior. The song's final lines, "To the boy who makes slaves out of men /And oh believe me, flying high in a friendly sky /Oh baby, flying high," convey a sense of ultimate surrender and resignation to addiction's powers.
Overall, "Flying High in the Friendly Sky" is a song that hits home for many people struggling with addiction, speaking to their experiences with compassion, empathy, and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Flying high in the friendly sky
Feeling euphoric and soaring without ever physically leaving the ground.
Flying high without ever leavin' the ground, no
Experiencing this high without actually flying anywhere.
Rest of the folks are tired and weary
Oh Lord, and have laid their bodies down.
Others are exhausted and have given up, but the singer persists.
I go the place where danger awaits me
And it's bound to forsake me.
The singer seeks out danger recklessly, knowing it will eventually betray them.
So stupid minded.
Despite the obvious risk, the singer continues to seek this dangerous high.
I can't help it
Oh ya, so stupid minded.
The singer feels driven to continue the behavior despite knowing it's foolish.
But I go crazy when I can't find it,
In the morning, I'll be alright, my friend.
Without the high, the singer becomes agitated, but believes they'll be okay with time.
But soon the night will bring the pains,
The pain, oh the pain
The singer knows that the low after the high will be painful and difficult.
And I ain't seen nothing but trouble baby
Nobody really understands, no no
The singer has experienced only trouble and nobody else comprehends the high or low of the behavior.
And I go to the place where the good feelin' awaits me
Selfdestruction in my hand
Despite the dangers, the singer seeks the high with full knowledge it may lead to their own destruction.
Oh Lord, so stupid minded
Oh and I go crazy when I can't find it
Well I know I'm hooked my friend
To the boy who makes slaves out of men.
The singer has become addicted to the high, which acts like a controlling master.
And oh beleive me
Flying high in a friendly sky
Oh baby, flyin' high
Despite everything, the singer loves the feeling of flying high.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANNA GAYE, ANNA GORDY GAYE, ELGIE ROUSSEAU STOVER, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@butterflylovenj7300
I remember listening to this song a lot after my dad passed. I was 13 at the time, and fell in love with this album. He struggled with addiction, mental illness, and died from AIDS. đđŸ
@breislemonade8087
may your father forever be in peace â€
@larrybee7713
Prayers. Close to the same thing happened to me.
@nellienell924
Your dads story is similar to my fathers ! You feel my pain ! Rip to your pops !
@AmmoShockTroop
My condolences to you and your loved ones. Sorry for your loss.
@lawrenceblack322
Me too.
@curtismiles9173
I could write my life's thesis on this Song. I never been in a black home when i was growing up and this Album wasn't present. "The All Time Greatest Album Ever Recorded" when i hear it it brings out every human emotion i have, Love, Hate, Joy, Pain, Sadness, Happiness. Its that Album that has encompassed every period of my life. I'm 60 as of Jan 2 2020 and i still cry when i hear Mercy Mercy Me. I love and miss my Brother Marvin, RIP.
@larrybee7713
Yup. Life's ups and downs wrapped up into about 4 minutes of ear pleasure.
@richbrow866
1960 baby like my dad
@thomasdriver7654
The struggle is real, I'm here to admit that because im dealing with that pain n addiction today. Pray 4 me