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.
Got To Give It Up
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And stand around
'Cause I was too nervous
To really get down
But my body yearned to be free
I got up on the floor and found
Someone to choose me
No more standin'
Up beside the walls
Now I've got myself together, baby
Now I'm havin' a ball
Long as your groovin'
There's always a chance
Somebody watches
Might wanna make romance
Move your body, ooo baby, you dance all night
To the groove and feel all right
Everybody's groovin' on like a fool
But if you see me, top down, let me in
Baby just party high and low
Let me step into your erotic zone
Move it up
Turn it 'round
Ooh shake it down (ooh baby)
Owwww
You can love me when you want to babe
This is such a groovy party baby
We're here face to face
Everybody's swingin'
This is such a groovy place
All the young ladies are so fine!
You're movin your body easy with no doubts
I know what you thinkin' baby
You wanna turn me out
Think I'm gonna let you do it babe
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
You baby
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
In Marvin Gaye's song Got To Give It Up, the lyrics describe the transformation from being too nervous to dance at parties, to finally breaking free and finding the confidence to move on the dance floor. The song talks about the joy and freedom of dancing, and how it can bring people closer together. The lyrics also suggest that the more someone dances and grooves, the more likely someone might want to make a connection and maybe even spark romance.
As the song progresses, it continues to emphasize the importance of dancing, encouraging everyone to keep moving and giving it up. It's all about having a good time and enjoying the present moment. The lyrics also suggest that dancing can be an "erotic zone," adding to the sensual and celebratory nature of the song. Ultimately, the lyrics imply that dancing can release inhibitions, providing a space to let loose, have fun, and bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to go out to parties
I was once a party-goer
And stand around
But I used to be too shy to dance
'Cause I was too nervous
I had anxiety and lack of confidence
To really get down
I could not groove and dance like everyone else
But my body yearned to be free
My inner self wanted to bust some moves and be wild
I got up on the floor and found
I finally mustered the courage and began dancing
Someone to choose me
I got someone to dance with me
No more standin'
I did not stand around anymore
Up beside the walls
I did not lean on the walls anymore
Now I've got myself together, baby
Now, I have confidence and composure
Now I'm havin' a ball
I'm now having a lot of fun
Long as your groovin'
As long as everyone is dancing
There's always a chance
Someone might be interested in me
Somebody watches
Someone might be admiring me
Might wanna make romance
Someone might be interested in something more intimate
Move your body, ooo baby, you dance all night
Dance with me all night long, love
To the groove and feel all right
Let's dance to the rhythm and feel great
Everybody's groovin' on like a fool
Everyone is dancing like crazy
But if you see me, top down, let me in
But when you see me, let me join you
Baby just party high and low
Let's dance and party all night long
Let me step into your erotic zone
Let us get intimate and sensual with our dancing
Move it up
Raise the intensity of the dance
Turn it 'round
Change up the dance moves
Ooh shake it down (ooh baby)
Shake your body down, love
Owwww
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
You can love me when you want to babe
My love for you is always open and available
This is such a groovy party baby
This is a great and cool party, love
We're here face to face
We are finally together and in each other's presence
Everybody's swingin'
Everyone is dancing and having a great time
This is such a groovy place
This party has a cool and lively atmosphere
All the young ladies are so fine!
All the beautiful young women are present
You're movin your body easy with no doubts
You're dancing easily and confidently
I know what you thinkin' baby
I know exactly what's on your mind, love
You wanna turn me out
You want to dance with me and get intimate
Think I'm gonna let you do it babe
I'm willing to dance with you and get intimate, love
Keep on dancin'
Keep the party going, keep dancing
Got to give it up
We must surrender ourselves to the music and dance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonkasergej6677
I am From Bosnia and Herzegovina my Grandmother used to play this song and dancing to it without knowing a word in English.. man I miss her so much, cheers from Bosnia folks 🍻
@kaustik185
cheers dude! I'll raise one to your nana!
@comanchedase
Great memory
@manueldelgado1134
Cheers, Tonka. Your Grandmother knew a lot
@ElvisLivesUpstairs
😊
@tonkasergej6677
@@Loafie17 She had no Idea and neither did I as little child, she enjoyed it same way you may enjoy foreign music yourself 🙂, my grandmother's generation used to study Russian as their second language and she was pretty good at it, it's my parents generation and on that study English and German.
@campdry
Man when this song comes on the family cookout has officially started.
@shawnwright5332
👍🇨🇦
@ronaldjones8797
So true. This is music.
@whh993
Yesssss.💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽