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.
How Can I Forget
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Oh, you ask me to forget about you
Go out and find someone new
But that won't be easy, you see
After all the things you've done for me
Told my men, ha, I ain't too proud to say
With you I stand tall and strong
But without you, girl, I'm nothin' at all
How, how can I forget ya?
After all you done for me
Oh woman, you'll always be a part of me, yeah, yeah
I, I can't forget ya
It's impossible, you see
Woman, you'll always be a part of me, oh
Girl, I'm down on my bended knee
And I'm beggin' you please, beggin' you please
Woman, woman, don't set me free
'Cause right this moment in the sun
My life was wastin' away
Girl, your love gave me hope and strength
You're the reason I'm alive today
Girl, you don't realize what your love means to me
It's more precious than the evergreens
How, how can I forget ya?
After all you done for me
Oh, you'll always be a part of me
I can't forget ya
It's impossible, you see
Girl, you'll always be a part of me
How, how can I forget ya?
After all you done for me
Honey, you'll always be a part of me
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's "How Can I Forget" express the struggle of the singer to move on from a past relationship with a woman who has had a significant impact on his life. Though asked to forget about her and find someone new, the singer acknowledges that this is not an easy task, given all that the woman has done for him. He believes that she is the reason he is a strong and capable individual, and without her, he feels he is nothing.
The singer goes on to plead with the woman not to leave him, acknowledging that his life was "wasting away" before he met her. He states that her love gave him hope and strength and insists that she does not realize the true impact her love has had on his life. The repetition of the question "How can I forget ya?" emphasizes the singer's sense of desperation and his belief that he cannot move on from this woman.
The song's lyrics speak to the universal experience of struggling to let go of a past relationship with someone who has had a significant impact on one's life. The repetition of the question "How can I forget ya?" reflects the singer's internal dialogue and highlights the difficulty of moving on from someone who has meant so much. Ultimately, the song suggests that love can have a profound impact on one's life, and the memory of that love can never truly be forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo
Expressing excitement and passion for the following message
Oh, you ask me to forget about you
You're suggesting that I move on and find someone new
Go out and find someone new
Find someone to replace you, which won't be easy
But that won't be easy, you see
It's not simple to replace the bond that we've shared
After all the things you've done for me
After all the love, care, and affection you've shown me
Told my men, ha, I ain't too proud to say
I'm not ashamed to confess
With you I stand tall and strong
With you, I'm confident and powerful
But without you, girl, I'm nothin' at all
Without you, I feel incomplete and lacking purpose
How, how can I forget ya?
How is it possible to forget you?
After all you done for me
After all the positive impact you've had on my life
Oh woman, you'll always be a part of me, yeah, yeah
You'll always have a special place in my heart and my life
I, I can't forget ya
I cannot erase you from my memories and emotions
It's impossible, you see
It's beyond my capacity to forget all that we've shared
Woman, you'll always be a part of me, oh
You'll forever be a significant part of my identity and being
Girl, I'm down on my bended knee
I'm in a humble and sincere position, asking for your mercy
And I'm beggin' you please, beggin' you please
I'm imploring and beseeching you to reconsider
Woman, woman, don't set me free
Please don't take away the freedom and joy I have with you
'Cause right this moment in the sun
At this very moment, in the best of times
My life was wastin' away
My life was stagnant, with no direction or purpose
Girl, your love gave me hope and strength
Your love inspired and motivated me to improve my life
You're the reason I'm alive today
You're the driving force behind my existence and fulfillment
Girl, you don't realize what your love means to me
You're not fully aware of the magnitude of your impact on my life
It's more precious than the evergreens
Your love is more valuable and enduring than any natural beauty
Honey, you'll always be a part of me
You'll always be a cherished and irreplaceable element of my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Randy R
I love this song!! I wish Marvin would've made more songs with those phenomenal horn players from Stax.
Rick
I first heard this in 1991 I was 15 on a road trip to Sanford NC and never forgot