Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul an… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul and rnb singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, known as "The Prince of Soul", or "The Prince of Motown." Originally a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows, he pursued a solo career after the group disbanded and released many successful solo hits including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On". His best albums are still held in extremely high regard, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.

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.

Hello Dolly
Marvin Gaye Lyrics

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Hello Dolly
This is miss Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell, Dolly
I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin', you're still crowin', you're still goin' strong

I feel the room swayin'

While the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when
So, take her wrap fellas
Find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly, never go away again

I feel the room swayin'
While the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when
So, golly gee, fellas
Have a little faith in me, fellas
Dolly, never go away

Promise, you'll never go away
Dolly, never go away again

Overall Meaning

The song 'Hello Dolly' by Marvin Gaye is a beautiful classic song that celebrates longtime friends' reunion after years of separation. The opening of the song shows the joy of reuniting with a friend, Dolly, after being away for an extended period. The singer expresses his delight at seeing Dolly back to her natural state and she looks beautiful and attractive than ever before. The use of the words 'glowin', crowin', and goin' strong' highlights the fact that Dolly still has her charm and looks as radiant as she used to be.

The second verse quickly, without delay, pushes the listener into a time capsule, as the band starts playing an old classic song from the past. As the music picks up, the singer feels room swaying, and the audience joins Dolly in singing a familiar tune from the past. The singer then urges the men in the room to make sure there is plenty of space for everyone to have a good time. The songbird lets Dolly know how much she loves seeing her and asks her not to leave again.

The lyrics take us on a nostalgic journey to remind us of the importance of celebrating relationships with loved ones and how these moments can live on forever in our hearts. The song shows the beauty that comes with having friends who stood the test of time and remained a constant in our lives.

Hello DollyMarvin Gaye Lyrics

Hello Dolly
Marvin Gaye Lyrics