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.
It Don't Take Much To Keep Me
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah to keep me no, not much
Just your touch just your tenderness
Just your sweet caress oh
Just the pleasure of your company
When I feel a little lonely, to comfort me
Take me through my day, oh without a care
If you worry about me leaving
Throw it out of your mind
Just as long as you want me
I'll be right by your side
Oh, it don't take much just your touch
Yeah to keep me baby you got it
You got it baby got what it takes
It takes to keep me to keep me
When the days go by and
I don't see you darling
I might start to complain
But all you gotta do is talk
To me sweet and plain
Let me know your love remains
Just say you need me, like I need you
That's enough to carry me through
You are my world you are my everything
You're all my eyes can see
You're such a part of me
It's the little things you do
That keeps me loving you
It ain't what you do
It's the sweet way you do it
It ain't what you saying
Is the sweet way you're saying
Just let me know you're standing by
To what my eyes, I'll be satisfied
You are my world, you are my everything
You are all my eyes can see
Oh baby, you are such a part of me
Don't take much no not much
Yeah to keep me baby you got it
I know you got it you know you got it baby
Got what it takes it takes to keep me
To keep me just your tenderness
That's enough baby
In the song "It Don't Take Much To Keep Me" by Marvin Gaye, the lyrics convey a simple message about the power of love and the importance of small gestures in a relationship. The singer emphasizes that they do not require grand gestures or extravagant displays of affection to feel loved and fulfilled. Instead, they find happiness and contentment in the simple things that their partner provides.
The opening lines, "It don't take much, don't take much yeah to keep me, no not much," establish the central theme of the song. The singer is expressing that they are not high-maintenance or demanding, and their needs and desires can be fulfilled with minimal effort from their partner. They emphasize that just a touch, tenderness, and a sweet caress are enough to make them feel loved and appreciated.
The lyrics further highlight that the singer finds comfort in their partner's company, especially when they feel lonely. The simple act of being together and having someone to call upon gives them peace of mind and makes their day more enjoyable. They assure their partner that as long as they want them, they will be there by their side, emphasizing their commitment and loyalty.
The song emphasizes the importance of communication and reassurance in a relationship. The singer mentions that when days go by without seeing their partner, they may start to complain. However, all it takes is a sweet and plain conversation to remind them that their partner's love remains. Knowing that they are needed and wanted is enough to carry them through any doubts or challenges.
Overall, "It Don't Take Much To Keep Me" showcases the singer's appreciation for the simple acts of love, tenderness, and company that their partner provides. It conveys that relationships thrive on the little things and the genuine expressions of love, rather than grand gestures or material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't take much don't take much
I don't require extravagant gestures
Yeah to keep me no, not much
A little effort is enough to make me happy
Just your touch just your tenderness
The simple act of physical and emotional affection
Just your sweet caress oh
The gentle and loving way you touch me
Just the pleasure of your company
Being in your presence brings me joy
When I feel a little lonely, to comfort me
Your presence helps alleviate my loneliness
Just to to call you and know you are there
Hearing your voice and knowing you're available
Take me through my day, oh without a care
With you, I can go through the day worry-free
If you worry about me leaving
If you fear losing me
Throw it out of your mind
Let go of that worry
Just as long as you want me
As long as you desire my presence
I'll be right by your side
I'll always be there for you
Yeah to keep me baby you got it
You possess what it takes to make me happy
You got it baby got what it takes
You have the qualities needed
It takes to keep me to keep me
It requires those qualities to maintain our relationship
When the days go by and
As time passes
I don't see you darling
When we're apart
I might start to complain
I might express dissatisfaction
But all you gotta do is talk
But all you need to do is communicate
To me sweet and plain
Speak to me honestly and sincerely
Let me know your love remains
Assure me that your love is still there
Just say you need me, like I need you
Express that you require me, just as I do
That's enough to carry me through
That's sufficient to sustain our relationship
You are my world you are my everything
You are the center of my world, my entire existence
You're all my eyes can see
You're the only one I focus on
You're such a part of me
You're an integral and inseparable part of who I am
It's the little things you do
It's the small actions you take
That keeps me loving you
Those things maintain my love for you
It ain't what you do
It's not just the actions you perform
It's the sweet way you do it
But the charming manner in which you do them
It ain't what you saying
It's not merely the words you speak
Is the sweet way you're saying
But the affectionate way you express them
Just let me know you're standing by
Just assure me that you're by my side
To what my eyes, I'll be satisfied
To see me and fulfill my desires
Don't take much no not much
I don't require a lot
Yeah to keep me baby you got it
You have what it takes to keep me satisfied
I know you got it you know you got it baby
I'm aware that you possess those qualities
Got what it takes it takes to keep me
You possess the necessary attributes to maintain our relationship
To keep me just your tenderness
To maintain my love, just show me your gentle and loving nature
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind