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.

I Got To Get To California
Marvin Gaye Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, I got to get to California right away
Oh, now I got to get to California right away

Just to see the evening sun, oh
Setting in the west
Breaks my heart 'cause it reminds me of
The true love that I left
In the sunset I can see my

Baby's face just haunting me
Reminding me of the tenderness that heaven
Knows was in her kiss
I had a love that was mine, mine, mine
Mine alone but I played the fool and Lord
I left my happy home
What a fool a man can be
But this loneliness inside of me says

I got to get to California right away
Oh, I got to get to California

I wish I was there by my baby's side
Lord, I wish I had listened to
My heart and not my pride
She tried to tell me that I
Had no reason for jealousy
But I was blinded by my pride
And I just couldn't see
Now I've got to hurry
I've got a reason to worry
I've got to be on the move
True love I'm gonna lose

I pray it's not too late, oh
I might have to catch a freight

But I got to get to California right away
Oh, I got to get to California right away

Oh, oh, I may have to hitchhike, baby
Mhm, might have to hop a freight, yeah

Yeah, yeah, now I've gotta hurry
Now I've got a reason to worry
I've got to be on the move
Or true love I'm gonna lose
What a fool a man can be
But this loneliness inside of me says

I got to get to California right away
I got to get to California (Right away) , mhm

(California, I'm on my way)
Might have to hitchhike, baby
(California, I'm on my way) oh, oh
(I got to get to California right away)
Oh, might have to hitch a ride
(I got to get to California right away)
(I got to get to California right away)

Oh, oh, now, now, I got to get to California
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's song "I Got To Get To California" express the urgency and longing of the singer to reach California as soon as possible. The opening lines emphasize this sense of urgency, with the repetition of the phrase "I got to get to California right away" conveying a strong desire and determination to reach his destination. The singer's longing is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase throughout the song.

The lyrics then shift to describe the singer's longing to see the evening sun setting in the west, as it reminds him of the true love he left behind. The sunset serves as a poignant symbol of the tender moments and affectionate kisses he shared with his lover. The mention of the sunset haunting him suggests that the memories of their love are painful yet still hold a powerful presence in his mind.

The next verses reveal that the singer's departure from his lover and home was a result of his own foolishness and pride. He regrets not listening to his heart and letting his jealousy blind him. The singer acknowledges that he had no reason to be jealous, but it was his pride that prevented him from seeing the truth. He now realizes the gravity of his mistake and fears losing his true love forever.

The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and desperation as the singer prays that it is not too late to save his relationship. He contemplates hitchhiking or hopping a freight to reach California as quickly as possible. The repetition of the phrase "I got to get to California right away" reinforces the singer's determination and signals his willingness to go to great lengths to rectify his mistake.

Overall, "I Got To Get To California" tells a story of a man who realizes the value of love only after losing it due to his own pride and foolishness. It explores themes of regret, longing, and the urgency to make things right before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, I got to get to California right away
I have an urgent need to go to California immediately.

Just to see the evening sun, oh
I want to witness the beauty of the setting sun.

Setting in the west
Descending below the horizon in the western sky.

Breaks my heart 'cause it reminds me of
It saddens me because it brings to mind

The true love that I left
The genuine love that I abandoned.

In the sunset I can see my
During the sunset, I can visualize my

Baby's face just haunting me
My beloved's face continuously appearing in my thoughts.

Reminding me of the tenderness that heaven
Recollecting the affectionate moments that seem divinely inspired

Knows was in her kiss
Recognizing the tremendous affection in her kisses

I had a love that was mine, mine, mine
I possessed a love that was exclusively mine

Mine alone but I played the fool and Lord
I foolishly allowed it slip away

I left my happy home
I departed from the place where I was content

What a fool a man can be
It's astonishing how foolish a man can act

But this loneliness inside of me says
However, the loneliness within me suggests

I got to get to California right away
I absolutely need to reach California immediately

I wish I was there by my baby's side
I long to be beside my loved one

Lord, I wish I had listened to
Oh, I deeply regret not heeding

My heart and not my pride
My emotions instead of my ego

She tried to tell me that I
She attempted to inform me that I

Had no reason for jealousy
Had no valid grounds to feel jealous

But I was blinded by my pride
Yet, my arrogance obstructed my vision

And I just couldn't see
And I simply couldn't comprehend

Now I've got to hurry
Now I must rush

I've got a reason to worry
I have a legitimate cause for concern

I've got to be on the move
I must be constantly moving

True love I'm gonna lose
I am on the verge of losing true love

I pray it's not too late, oh
I desperately hope there's still time

I might have to catch a freight
I might need to hitch a ride on a cargo train

But I got to get to California right away
Nevertheless, I am determined to reach California immediately

Oh, oh, I may have to hitchhike, baby
Oh, I could possibly need to seek rides from strangers, darling

Mhm, might have to hop a freight, yeah
Perhaps I'll have to board a freight train, indeed

Now I've gotta hurry
Now I must hasten

Now I've got a reason to worry
Now I have a genuine cause for concern

I've got to be on the move
I need to keep traveling

Or true love I'm gonna lose
Otherwise, I will lose my true love

What a fool a man can be
It's remarkable how foolish a man can act

But this loneliness inside of me says
But the solitude within me insists

I got to get to California right away
I absolutely need to reach California immediately

I got to get to California (Right away) , mhm
I really must make my way to California (Immediately), hmm

(California, I'm on my way)
(California, I'm making my journey)

Might have to hitchhike, baby
Perhaps I'll have to seek rides from strangers, darling

(California, I'm on my way) oh, oh
(California, I'm making my journey) oh, oh

(I got to get to California right away)
(I absolutely need to reach California immediately)

Oh, might have to hitch a ride
Oh, I may need to catch a lift

(I got to get to California right away)
(I absolutely need to reach California immediately)

Oh, oh, now, now, I got to get to California
Oh, oh, now, now, I really need to reach California

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

just now