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.
I'm Going Home
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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I'm going home, to see my dear old dad
I'm going home, to be with my sister
I'm going home, won't my brother be glad?
Going home, yeah
Going to look out the window
I'm going home
I'm going home
Where somebody love me
I'm going home
Though I might be in rags
Been so long since, I began to roam
Never should have left home
Thought I was grown
But now I see what it meant to me
I'm going home, see my mother
I'm going home, to be with dear old dad
I'm going home (ooh), to be with my sister
I'm going home yeah, won't my brother be glad?
Going home
Look out the window
Going home
Do I see what I saw in the past?
I'm going home
Where somebody love me
Going home
Won't my mama be glad?
Ah, it's been so long since I began to roam
Thought I'd make it on my own
All I wanna do is go home
Going home, see you mama
Going home, this whole world's treated me bad
Going home, daddy, put your arm around you
Going home, ah, I won't be sad
Going home, I've cried these teardrops
I'm going home, I don't know where to roam
Going home, I, I need
Going home, won't I, won't I be glad
I'm going home, where the sunshine is
Going home, there are no clouds of gray
Going home, to see my old buddy
Going home, to shake my friends' hands today
Whoa it's been so long
Since I began to roam
Thought I could make it on my own
But I now see, gotta go back
I'm going home, see my mother
Going home, to be with my dear old dad
Going home, to see my sister
Going home, won't my brother be glad?
Going home, see my mother
Going home, to kiss my dear old dad, woo
Going home, to see my sister, yeah
Going home, won't my brother be glad?
Ahh yeah, yeah
Going home
Going home
Going home
Going home
Going home
Going home
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's "I'm Going Home" talk about the artist's desire to return to his childhood home, where he grew up with his family. The song is emotional and sentimental, driven by Gaye's passionate delivery, which captures the longing to return home. The lyrics express Gaye's longing to see his mother, father, sister and brother, and how his time apart from them has made him appreciate their love and support. He laments leaving home too soon, believing that he thought he was grown but now realizes how meaningful his family is in his life. The song strikes a chord with anyone who has been away from his or her homeland, missing family and loved ones.
The lines "Going home, yeah, going to look out the window, to see what I saw in the past" showcases his desire to relive his childhood memories again. This song represents a much-needed tribute to the importance of family and the virtues of staying grounded to one's roots. It's a poignant reminder that no matter what happens in life; your family will always be your home.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going home, to see my mother
I'm returning to the place where the person who loves and cares for me unconditionally resides.
I'm going home, to see my dear old dad
I'm returning to the place where the person who has been a source of guidance and support throughout my life resides.
I'm going home, to be with my sister
I'm returning to the place where my sibling, who I share a special bond with, resides.
I'm going home, won't my brother be glad?
I'm returning to the place where my sibling who I share a special bond with is living and he will be happy to see me.
Going home, yeah
I'm excited to be returning to the place where I belong.
Going to look out the window
I'm eager to see the familiar sights and sounds of my hometown as I approach it.
I'm going home, to see what I saw in the past
I aim to revisit the places and things that have been important in my past and relive those memories.
Where somebody love me
I'm returning to the place where people care for me and have my back.
Though I might be in rags
Regardless of my physical appearance, I know I will be welcomed with open arms.
Been so long since, I began to roam
It has been a long time since I left home and started living life on my own.
Never should have left home
In retrospect, I realize that leaving my hometown was a mistake.
Thought I was grown
I believed that I was fully capable of taking care of myself and did not need to rely on anyone else.
But now I see what it meant to me
After experiencing life on my own, I now realize the true value of having a home and a family who loves and supports me.
Going home, this whole world's treated me bad
Life outside my hometown has been tough and I have faced many challenges and hardships.
Going home, daddy, put your arm around you
I long to be comforted and protected by my father's reassuring embrace.
Going home, ah, I won't be sad
I'm confident that returning home will bring me joy, and I won't be sad anymore.
Going home, I don't know where to roam
I'm unsure where to go and what to do with my life, so I'm returning home for guidance.
Going home, where the sunshine is
I'm returning to the place where I feel happy and contented to live my life.
Going home, to see my old buddy
I'm eager to reunite with a friend from my past who I have not seen in a while.
Going home, to shake my friends' hands today
I'm excited to catch up with old friends and acquaintances, to see how they have been doing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind