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.
Little Ole Boy Little Ole Girl
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm lookin' for a little ole boy
'Cause I need someone, did you hear me say someone, someone to love
Oh, oh, I'm a little ole boy
Oh, lookin' for a little ole girl
And I hope I'm that someone, oh baby, you're lookin' for
Oh, oh, baby, did you hear me say maybe, baby
Oh, but you gotta hug me every mornin'
Kiss me every night
And love me all night long
Oh, I'm a little ole boy
And oh, I'm just a little ole girl
Now we've found someone
Uh-uh yeah, someone to love
Who-oh-oh oh-oh-oah
Who-o-oah, I say maybe, did you hear me say maybe, baby
We two, we two can get along
Oh you got to hug me every mornin'
Kiss me every night
Love me all night long
I'm just a little ole girl
I'm, I'm a little ole boy
Now we've found someone, uh-huh yeah, someone to love
Uh-huh, I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love
Won't you put your lovin' arms around me?
Someone to love, whoah, whoah
The song "Little Boy Little Ole Girl" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is a sweet love ballad between two people who are searching for love with someone they can trust and cherish. The song was released in 1967 on their album "United," and it was produced by Ashford and Simpson. The lyrics express the need for a partner who can love and care for them, and they are willing to reciprocate the same feelings.
The first and second verses sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, respectively, reveal they are lonely, and they desire to find love with the right partner. The lines "I'm just a little ole girl, and I'm looking for a little ole boy" and "Oh, I'm a little ole boy, Oh, looking for a little ole girl" signify that they are ordinary people seeking love. They both express the need for a partner who will love them unconditionally and commit to them fully. The chorus, "Now we've found someone, uh-uh yeah, someone to love," indicates that they have found each other, and they are now happy in love.
The second half of the song emphasizes the commitment they require from each other for their love to flourish. The lines "Oh you gotta hug me every morning, Kiss me every night and Love me all night long," stress the importance of physical closeness and emotional attachment. The song ends with Tammi Terrell expressing her joy in finding someone to love, as she sings, "I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love, Won't you put your loving arms around me?" The song's message is that everybody deserves to find true love, and when they do, they should cherish it and work hard to sustain it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a little ole girl
I am young and inexperienced in relationships and looking for love.
And I'm lookin' for a little ole boy
I am searching for a young man who can love me the way I deserve to be loved.
'Cause I need someone, did you hear me say someone, someone to love
I am desperate for the companionship and affection of a loving partner.
Oh, oh, I'm a little ole boy
I am a young man searching for a girl to love.
Oh, lookin' for a little ole girl
I am searching for a young woman who can provide me with the love and affection I need.
And I hope I'm that someone, oh baby, you're lookin' for
I hope to be the one who can love you in the way that you are searching for.
Oh, oh, baby, did you hear me say maybe, baby
Maybe we could have a successful relationship together, baby.
We two can get along
We have the potential to form a loving and successful partnership.
Oh, but you gotta hug me every mornin'
You must be willing to show me affection and love every day, starting when we wake up.
Kiss me every night
You must be willing to show me affection and love every night, before bed.
And love me all night long
You must be willing to show me affection and love throughout the night, consistently.
Now we've found someone
We have finally found the ideal partner for each other.
Uh-uh yeah, someone to love
We have found a partner to provide us with the love and affection we desire.
Who-oh-oh oh-oh-oah
We are so happy to have found each other.
I say maybe, did you hear me say maybe, baby
I suggest that we may be compatible with each other, baby.
Oh you got to hug me every mornin'
It is important that you show me affection and love every morning, without fail.
Love me all night long
You must be willing to show me affection and love throughout the night, consistently.
I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a partner to love and cherish.
Won't you put your lovin' arms around me?
Will you please embrace me tightly and show me your love and affection?
Someone to love, whoah, whoah
We are so grateful to have found each other and the love we share.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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