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 Don't Know Why
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't why, but I do
I don't know why you thrill me like you do
I don't know why, but you do
You never seem to want my romancing
The only time you hold me is when we're dancing
I don't know why, but I do
You never seem to want my romancing
The only time you hold me is when we're dancing
I don't know why I love you like I do
I don't know why, but I do
Marvin Gaye's song I Don't Know Why is a reflection on the complexity of love. The singer admits to not being able to explain why they love their partner, despite the fact that they don't seem to reciprocate in the way the singer desires. The chorus repeats the line "I don't know why, but I do," emphasizing the mysterious and inexplicable nature of love.
In the verses, the singer acknowledges that their partner seems disinterested in romance outside of dancing. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fleeting, temporary nature of their relationship which only exists in a certain context. Despite this, the singer remains enamored with their partner and unable to explain why.
The song's simple melody and repetitive chorus create a hypnotic effect, underscoring the song's theme of being engulfed by love's irrationality. Gaye's smooth, emotive vocals bring out the intensity of these conflicting emotions, making the song resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to articulate their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why I love you like I do
I'm confused why my feelings for you are as strong as they are
I don't why, but I do
I have no rational explanation for why I feel this way, but I can't help it
I don't know why you thrill me like you do
I can't understand why you create such excitement and joy within me
I don't know why, but you do
You have some magical ability to invoke those feelings in me, even though I don't know how or why
You never seem to want my romancing
I've attempted to be romantic with you before, but it never seems to be well-received
The only time you hold me is when we're dancing
The only connection we truly have is physical and limited to when we're dancing together
I don't know why I love you like I do
Even with all of these confusing and conflicting feelings, I still can't deny that I love you
I don't know why, but I do
Once again, I have no logical explanation for why my love for you persists, but it does
Contributed by Eli J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.