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.
Memory Chest
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Even all the tears I shed will be there along with your warm caress
Oh darling, there's no need for me to pretend
That this love will never end, it's possible, you see
So I'll store them away in my memory chest just for me
Every letter that you write to me I'll store in my memory chest
I'm not sayin' that you're going to leave me
But there's one thing I do believe, it's possible, you see
Baby, I'm gonna store them away in my memory chest just for me
In my memory chest, baby, sweet sweet memories, baby
Every kiss, each caress, all your love and tenderness
In my memory chest, baby
You promised me that our love would last till the end of time
Just in case you see another girl that can change your mind
Every happy moment I spend with you I'll store in my memory chest
Oh baby, you have filled my life, my life with much love and tenderness
Oh darlin', there's no need for me to pretend
That this love will never end, it's possible, you see
So I'll store them away in my memory chest, every little thing
Baby, gonna [Incomprehensible] in my memory chest
Every letter, baby
Ooh, yes I will darlin'
Just for me
Just for me
Oh darling, just for me, baby
Baby, baby, just for me
The song "Memory Chest" by Marvin Gaye is about preserving precious memories with a loved one. The lyrics express the importance of cherishing every little moment and storing them in a safe place, a memory chest. The song talks about how every kiss, every caress, every happy moment spent together, every letter written, and even the tears shed will be preserved in the memory chest. The lyrics convey a deep sense of love, but also a hint of insecurity, as the singer acknowledges the possibility of the love ending and vows to keep these memories just for himself.
The song was written as a tribute to Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye's duet partner who died of brain cancer in 1970. Gaye and Terrell recorded several hit songs together, and their chemistry was undeniable. Marvin Gaye was deeply affected by her death, and "Memory Chest" serves to immortalize their bond as well as express his grief. The song conveys a sense of longing and the pain of loss, but also the desire to hold onto the memories that they shared. The poignant lyrics speak to the universal experience of losing someone we love and the need to preserve their memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Every little kiss you give to me I'll store in my memory chest
Every gesture of love that you show me, I will cherish and keep it safe in my heart forever
Even all the tears I shed will be there along with your warm caress
I will remember every moment we shared, even the difficult ones where you comforted me with your love
Oh darling, there's no need for me to pretend
That this love will never end, it's possible, you see
So I'll store them away in my memory chest just for me
I don't have to pretend that our love will never change, but I choose to store all the wonderful memories we made together for myself as a reminder of how much you mean to me
Every letter that you write to me I'll store in my memory chest
Oh Tammi, so I can look back and read the words and I'll reminisce
Even the words you wrote to me will be safely kept in my heart for me to remember all the beautiful stories we shared together
I'm not sayin' that you're going to leave me
But there's one thing I do believe, it's possible, you see
Baby, I'm gonna store them away in my memory chest just for me
I know you won't leave me, but I choose to remember all the moments we shared in case anything happens, they are for me to hold on to forever
Every happy moment I spend with you I'll store in my memory chest
Oh baby, you have filled my life, my life with much love and tenderness
I am grateful for every moment we spent together, and I will cherish all the good times we shared together because you made my life beautiful
You promised me that our love would last till the end of time
Just in case you see another girl that can change your mind
I trust your faithfulness, but I will keep our beautiful memories safe, just in case you forget how much our love means to us
Every kiss, each caress, all your love and tenderness
In my memory chest, baby
All the beautiful acts of love you showed me will forever stay in my heart to remind me of how much you love me when you're not around
Baby, gonna [Incomprehensible] in my memory chest
Every letter, baby
Ooh, yes I will darlin'
Everything you gave me from letters to sweet kisses will forever remain safe in my heart, where I will never forget how much you loved me
Just for me
Oh darling, just for me, baby
Baby, baby, just for me
All the memories we made together will forever be mine to cherish, and I will never let them go because they are just for me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARVEY FUQUA, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind