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 Hurt Me Too
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Told you so)
I could have told the whole wide world and leave you sad and blue
(Sad and blue)
Said I could have left and said it's good for you, yeah now
But I know when it hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
I could have said that you had it coming to you
(Coming to you)
When you walked out and turned your back on me
(Back on me)
I played it, baby, all along, please, please baby, don't go
'Cause I knew he would hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
He said he had you dancing on a string
As far as love goes, you were just another fling
Oh, I may be a fool to love you the way I do
(Way I do)
Don't you realize even fools have feeling too
So baby, come on back
And let me dry the tears from your eyes
'Cause I would never hurt you
(I will never hurt you)
No, no I'd never hurt you
(I will never hurt you)
'Cause baby when he hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
It hurts me so bad
(Hurt me too)
I'd never desert you
(Hurt me too)
Marvin Gaye's "It Hurt Me Too" is a poignant song about heartbreak, forgiveness, and unconditional love. The lyrics speak to the singer's feelings of betrayal and hurt, as his lover leaves him for another man. The opening lines of the song hint at the possibility of revenge or punishment: "I could have left and said I told you so / I could have told the whole wide world and leave you sad and blue / Said I could have left and said it's good for you, yeah now." However, despite his anger and disappointment, the singer chooses a different path: "But I know when it hurt you / Don't you know it hurt me too." This line suggests that the singer understands the pain of heartbreak and empathizes with his lover, even though she has hurt him deeply.
Gaye's lyrics go on to explore the complexities of love and forgiveness. He acknowledges that his partner had reasons for leaving him ("I could have said that you had it coming to you"), but he also pleads with her to return: "Please, please baby, don't go / 'Cause I knew he would hurt you." The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, as Gaye sings: "Oh, I may be a fool to love you the way I do / Don't you realize even fools have feeling too." This line suggests that the singer's love for his partner is intense and all-consuming, even though it may seem foolish to outsiders. The final lines emphasize the singer's steadfastness and loyalty: "And let me dry the tears from your eyes / 'Cause I would never hurt you / No, no I'd never hurt you."
Overall, "It Hurt Me Too" is a beautiful and moving song that captures the emotional complexity of love and heartbreak. Gaye's lyrics are powerful and evocative, conveying both pain and forgiveness. The song is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of betrayal and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
I could have left and said I told you so
(Told you so)
I could have walked away and rubbed it in your face that you were wrong and I was right.
I could have told the whole wide world and leave you sad and blue
(Sad and blue)
I could have exposed your mistake to the world, leaving you feeling miserable.
Said I could have left and said it's good for you, yeah now
But I know when it hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
I could have acted like it's your own fault, but deep down I feel your pain and it hurts me just as much as it hurts you.
I could have said that you had it coming to you
(Coming to you)
I could have blamed you for the situation, as if you deserved it.
When you walked out and turned your back on me
(Back on me)
When you left me and betrayed our relationship.
I played it, baby, all along, please, please baby, don't go
'Cause I knew he would hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
I did everything in my power to keep you close, because I knew that your new lover would cause you pain, and it pains me as well.
He said he had you dancing on a string
As far as love goes, you were just another fling
He boasted about how he had control over you and treated you like a disposable object.
Oh, I may be a fool to love you the way I do
(Way I do)
I may be foolish for loving you so deeply and wholeheartedly.
Don't you realize even fools have feeling too
So baby, come on back
And let me dry the tears from your eyes
Even though I may be a foolish lover, I still have emotions and want to comfort and support you during your difficult time.
'Cause I would never hurt you
(I will never hurt you)
No, no I'd never hurt you
(I will never hurt you)
'Cause baby when he hurt you
Don't you know it hurt me too
(Hurt me too)
It hurts me so bad
(Hurt me too)
I'd never desert you
(Hurt me too)
I promise to never hurt you, abandon you, or give up on our love, because seeing you in pain also pains me deeply.
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.