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.
Lean On Me
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Please, swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load
You have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me
Marvin Gaye's "Lean on Me" is a song that conveys the idea of brotherhood by encouraging listeners not to feel ashamed of admitting that they need someone to lean on. The song's opening lines acknowledge that everyone experiences pain and sorrow in life. The song then provides reassurance: if we are wise, we know that tomorrow will bring new opportunities for growth and healing. In the chorus, the singer vows to assist a friend who is struggling: "Lean on me when you're not strong / And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on / For it won't be long / 'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on."
Gaye encourages the person in need to swallow their pride and ask for help if required. This idea is emphasised in the second verse when he urges, "Please, swallow your pride / If I have things you need to borrow / For no one can fill those of your needs / That you won't let show." The singer reminds listeners that sometimes our innermost needs and desires are most potent, yet they tend to remain hidden unless we openly discuss them with others. In the final verse, the song's theme is reiterated with an offer of assistance to listeners carrying heavy burdens: "If there is a load / You have to bear that you can't carry / I'm right up the road, I'll share your load / If you just call me."
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes in our lives
At times throughout our journey
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
We all experience discomfort and sadness
But if we are wise
However, if we use our intelligence and discernment
We know that there's always tomorrow
We understand that there is always a future to look forward to
Lean on me when you're not strong
Rely on me for support when you feel weak
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
I will be there for you as a companion and assist you in continuing forward
For it won't be long
It will not take much time
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Until I require someone to be my support system
Please, swallow your pride
Please set aside your ego
If I have things you need to borrow
If there are items or resources that you could benefit from borrowing
For no one can fill those of your needs
For no one else can fulfill your personal necessities
That you won't let show
That you refuse to reveal or express
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
Simply reach out to me, my fellow friend, when you require assistance
We all need somebody to lean on
We all require someone to rely on for comfort and guidance
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
Perhaps I have an issue that you can relate to
If there is a load
If there is a burden to bear
You have to bear that you can't carry
One that is too heavy for you to manage
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
I am nearby and will assist you in carrying the weight
If you just call me
All you need to do is ask for my help
Call me (If you need a friend)
Reach out to me (if you require companionship)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Contact me (yes, indeed)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Get in touch with me (when you require a companion)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call upon me (if you ever require a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Contact me (reach out to me)
Call me (Call me)
Call upon me (request my assistance)
Call me (Call me)
Contact me (get in touch with me)
Call me (Call me)
Reach out to me (contact me)
Call me (If you need a friend)
Contact me (if you require companionship)
Call me (Call me)
Contact me (reach out to me)
Call me (Call me)
Call upon me (request my assistance)
Call me (Call me)
Contact me (get in touch with me)
Call me (Call me)
Reach out to me (contact me)
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kellieatkins9282
My father passed away July 10th, and I miss him so very much. I'm the baby of the family. I have leaned on my Dad for as long as I can remember. I have my brother to lean on now. I never knew how much we love each other until my father got sick.
A Man is Known By His...
Character-What he is
Conversation-What he says
Conduct-What he does
Contribution-What he gives
Befitting of two wonderful men, both
who I can always lean on.
@DopeLyrics
Which country is everybody listening from? 💖
Hit the 🔔 to join the notification squad!
@mykalahammitt9630
America
@cathyhopkins_2222
DopeLyrics United Kingdom ☺️💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💙❤️
@prashantboda7561
🙋🏻♂️India 🥰
@Myriam-nk2fw
Luxembourg 🇱🇺
@anujaranasinghe9606
DopeLyrics Sri Lanka 🇱🇰! Stay safe everyone ❤️
@cathymoffitt6087
This song makes me break down in tears. I remember when I was little, my big brother would always play this song on the car ride home from church. We would sing it together every night, and then he carried me upstairs to my bed when I fell asleep in the car. In 2018 he was diagnosed with cancer. I walked into his hospital room and he was singing it with a radio. I quickly joined in. That's when I heard a beep sound. His last words were "Call on me, brother." My favorite and saddest song in existence.
@AutismTheaterProject
Rip, Beautiful story
@gamerandrey4874
Rest in peace 🕊️
@matthewsosa6239
Am so sorry