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.
If I Should Die Tonight
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh baby, though it be far before my time
I won't die blue, sugar, yeah
'Cause I've known you ('cause I've known you)
Ooh, oh, how many eyes
Have seen their dream
Oh, how many arms
How many hearts, baby
Have felt their world stand still?
Ooh
Millions never, they never, never
And millions never will, baby
They never will
Whoo, If I should die tonight (if I should die tonight, love)
Darlin', it would be far before my time
I won't die blue
'Cause I've known you
Ooh
I'm so grateful baby
Grateful that you're lovin' me, my desire
Is to love you 'till I'm no longer here
And never tire
Love has been so good to me, me now
I'm so thankful
Ooh, oh, how many eyes
Have seen their dream (seen their dream)
How many arms (how many arms)
Have held their dream (held their dream)
How many hearts, oh darlin'(how many hearts)
Have felt their world stand still
Oh Lord
Oh, millions never, no, never, never
And millions never will, sugar
They never will
If I should die tonight, ah baby (die tonight)
I just want you to keep this one thought in mind
(Keep this little thought in mind)
That I would never die blue
'Cause I've known you
Ooh
The song "If I Should Die Tonight" by Marvin Gaye is about the love he has for someone and how grateful he is to have that person in his life. The lyrics express that if he were to die tonight, he would not be sad or unhappy because he has known this person and their love. He acknowledges that not everyone gets to experience true love and he feels blessed to have had that experience. Gaye reflects on how many people go through life without ever finding their dream or their true love, and he wants to make sure that if he were to die, he would be remembered as someone who knew love and had been loved.
The lyrics are also a reflection of the idea that love is what gives life meaning and purpose. To Gaye, love is what makes life worth living and he cherishes the love he has received. He talks about his desire to love this person until he is no longer here, showing that love is something that transcends death and continues even after someone is gone. Gaye's message is clear; he is thankful for the love in his life and he wants to be remembered as someone who knew it well.
Overall, "If I Should Die Tonight" is a beautiful love song that celebrates the power of love and the value of living a life filled with it. It is a reminder to cherish those we love and to never take their presence in our lives for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, If I should die tonight
Expressing the possibility of death
Oh baby, though it be far before my time
Addressing to his love that he might die before his actual time
I won't die blue, sugar, yeah
He won't be sad or depressed
'Cause I've known you ('cause I've known you)
He's content that he has known his love
Ooh, oh, how many eyes
Thinking about the dreamers
Have seen their dream
Whose dreams came true
Oh, how many arms
The ones who have embraced their dreams
Have felt their dream
The ones who made it happen
How many hearts, baby
The ones whose hearts were touched
Have felt their world stand still?
The ones who were amazed by what they've accomplished or received
Ooh
Emotional sound effect
Millions never, they never, never
There are many people who never experience the things mentioned earlier
And millions never will, baby
And it's possible that they won't ever experience them
They never will
Emphasizing on the previous statement
Whoo, If I should die tonight (if I should die tonight, love)
The possibility of death is still present
Darlin', it would be far before my time
The love of his life would be saddened by it
I won't die blue
Once again expressing that he won't be unhappy
'Cause I've known you
Because his love has made him happy
Ooh
Emotional sound effect
I'm so grateful baby
Showing gratitude
Grateful that you're lovin' me, my desire
His wish for loved one's love
Is to love you 'till I'm no longer here
Expressing the depth of his love
And never tire
He will always love
Love has been so good to me, me now
How dear love is to him
I'm so thankful
He is thankful for the love he has received
Ooh, oh, how many eyes
Reflecting again
Have seen their dream (seen their dream)
The ones whose dreams came true
How many arms (how many arms)
The ones who have embraced their dreams
Have held their dream (held their dream)
The ones who made it happen
How many hearts, oh darlin'(how many hearts)
The ones whose hearts were touched
Have felt their world stand still
The ones who were amazed by what they've accomplished or received
Oh Lord
Expressing his feelings
Oh, millions never, no, never, never
Repeatedly emphasizing that many people never had what he has
And millions never will, sugar
And it's possible that they won't ever experience them
They never will
Again emphasizing on the previous statement
If I should die tonight, ah baby (die tonight)
Mentioning about his possible death once more
I just want you to keep this one thought in mind
His final words to his loved one
(Keep this little thought in mind)
Asking to remember what he's about to say
That I would never die blue
He will not be unhappy if he dies
'Cause I've known you
Taking pride in knowing someone who made him so happy
Ooh
Emotional sound effect
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gontse
I can't wait to meet someone who will appreciate my love for this kind of music🎶I will dedicate all these nice songs to my future wife. My generation doesn't know good music. I'm only 22 but I feel like today's music doesn't carry meaning and emotion.
@patrickgreen9486
Listen to Raheem Devaugh's music. "Believ"e
@yasminreid4507
❤️
@jenniferjeneeva4868
I'm 20 and i can relate
@anthonybrown7772
I know this song by hard..I made a woman cry before signing it to her..
@davidmembrila5958
Nothing like making love to your lady listening to this music 🎵🎵
@baronlatour8377
Simply one of the best songs ever written
@davidvlogz110
Im 20 years old and listen to Marvin everyday, feel like his music enhances my wisdom.
@wilhaynes1632
His lyrics will take you far in life my young Brother. Try to obtain his album "once in a lifetime ". Peace.
@latanyaanderson6788
Can you imagine... This was my era of music.