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 Was Telling Her About You
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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But the moment was tender, the music was low
While we were dancing
I think you should know
I was telling her about you, mmm hmm
She kept coming closer, the magic was there
She wore an expression that made people stare
I was telling her about you, mmm hmm
When you passed by and caught my eye
You didn't say a word
You turned to bow and walked right out
And the silence was the loudest
That I've ever heard, mmm hmm
Come back to me, darling, I must make you see
That things aren't always what
They seem to be
The girl in my arms, she meant nothing to me
I was telling her, ooh, I was telling her
I was telling her about you, mmm hmm
Mmm hmm, when you passed by and caught my eye
Baby, you didn't say a word
You turned to bow and walked right out
And the silence was the loudest
That I've ever heard
Come back to me, darling, I must make you see
That things aren't always what
They seem to be ooh, the girl in my arms
She meant nothing to me
I was telling her about you
Only telling her about you you
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song "I Was Telling Her About You" portray a situation where the singer is dancing with someone else while reminiscing about their past love. The moment is described as tender, with low music playing in the background. As the singer dances with this new person, they can't help but think about their former lover and feel the need to explain themselves. The singer confesses that they were telling the person they are dancing with about their past love, emphasizing that the new person meant nothing to them in comparison to their former partner.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses regret for their actions, realizing that they may have hurt their past lover by giving attention to someone new. The moment of realization occurs when the past lover walks by, and despite the silence, it is described as the loudest sound. The singer begs for the past lover to come back and understand that the new person they were dancing with held no significance, as they were only talking about the past lover to them.
The song captures the complexity of emotions involved in moving on from a past relationship. It conveys a sense of longing, regret, and the desire to make amends. The lyrics emphasize the importance of honest communication and the desire for a second chance to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
My arms were around her, my eyes were aglow
I was physically close to her and my eyes were filled with joy
But the moment was tender, the music was low
The atmosphere was gentle and the music playing softly in the background
While we were dancing
During the time we were dancing together
I think you should know
I believe it's important for you to be aware
I was telling her about you, mmm hmm
I was sharing with her stories and thoughts about you
She kept coming closer, the magic was there
She continued to approach me, and there was a special connection between us
She wore an expression that made people stare
Her facial expression attracted attention from those around us
It looked so romantic, darling, I swear
It appeared incredibly romantic, my dear, I promise
When you passed by and caught my eye
When you walked by and caught my attention
You didn't say a word
You remained silent, not uttering a single word
You turned to bow and walked right out
You turned to acknowledge and left immediately
And the silence was the loudest
The absence of sound felt incredibly loud
That I've ever heard, mmm hmm
It was the most deafening silence I have experienced
Come back to me, darling, I must make you see
Return to me, my love, I need to make you understand
That things aren't always what they seem to be
Appearances can be deceiving
The girl in my arms, she meant nothing to me
The girl I was holding had no significance to me
I was telling her, ooh, I was telling her
I was informing her, oh yes, I was informing her
I was telling her about you, mmm hmm
I was discussing you with her
Mmm hmm, when you passed by and caught my eye
Yes, indeed, when you walked by and captured my attention
Baby, you didn't say a word
Darling, you remained silent
You turned to bow and walked right out
You turned to acknowledge and immediately left
And the silence was the loudest
And the absence of sound felt incredibly loud
That I've ever heard
That I have ever heard
Come back to me, darling, I must make you see
Return to me, my love, I need to make you understand
That things aren't always what they seem to be
Appearances can be deceiving
Ooh, the girl in my arms
Oh, the girl in my embrace
She meant nothing to me
She held no significance to me
I was telling her about you
I was sharing things about you with her
Only telling her about you
Exclusively informing her about you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK CHARLAP, DON GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind