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.
One Of These Days
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or say the things we say
There is no music in my soul
Since you went away
Since you've been gone
My heart beats in darkness
I′ve been hurting for you One of these days I'm gonna walk in the sun
When the chill is over
Ready to stand up and fight
But oh how I miss you tonight I hear a whisper in the winter wind
And I turn around
It'll just the crying of the falling leaves
On the dirty ground Every night I walk through the shadows
Kicking up old memories One of these days I′m gonna walk in the sun
When the chill is over
And the battle is won
Ready to stand up and fight
But lord how I miss you tonight When it′s over One of these days I 'm gonna walk in the sun
When the chill is over
And the battle is won
Ready to stand up and fight
But oh how I miss you tonight One of these days I gonna walk in the sun
Wake up one morning
And the hurting is gone
Ready to stand up and fight
Give me the feeling I can do something right One of these days
One of these days When it′s over
When it's over
Marvin Gaye's "One Of These Days" is a song about missing someone who has left him. In the song, Gaye sings about not understanding why people do things or say things, and how the music has gone out of his soul since the person left. He then talks about how his heart beats in darkness and how he has been hurting since the person left. However, he still has hope that he will be able to walk in the sun again, ready to stand up and fight one day. The song ends with Gaye talking about waking up one morning, and the hurting being gone, and feeling like he can do something right.
The song's simple lyrics convey a sense of loneliness and longing for that special someone. The song is full of emotion, and the music reflects the mood perfectly. The melody and beat give a feeling of sadness and hopelessness but ends on a hopeful note.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why we do the things we do
I am unsure of the reasons we have for our actions and words.
Or say the things we say
Even our speech seems to lack a clear purpose or meaning.
There is no music in my soul
My spirit is devoid of joy or inspiration, likely due to feelings of loss and loneliness.
Since you went away
The source of my pain, and the reason for the emptiness I feel, is your departure from my life.
Since you've been gone
The duration of my suffering has been ongoing, ever since you left me.
My heart beats in darkness
The sorrow and grief I experience have enveloped me entirely, leaving me in a state of darkness and despair.
I've been hurting for you
The longing and ache for your presence in my life has been a constant source of pain and discomfort for me.
One of these days I'm gonna walk in the sun
I have hope that one day I will experience a sense of happiness, joy and freedom again.
When the chill is over
Once the difficult and tumultuous period subsides, and the iciness of loneliness fades away.
And the battle is won
When I am victorious over my inner turmoil and the struggles I'm facing.
Ready to stand up and fight
I will finally have the courage and strength to confront the challenges and adversity in my life.
But oh how I miss you tonight
Despite my hope for a better future, the pain and ache for you continues to weigh heavy on my heart in this moment.
I hear a whisper in the winter wind
Even the sounds of nature seem to hint at the sadness and loneliness surrounding me.
And I turn around
I become alert and perceptive to the sounds around me, even those that may not exist, as I attempt to find comfort.
It's just the crying of the falling leaves
The rustling of leaves on the ground may sound like a sob, but it is only the sound of nature's changes that occur during autumn.
On the dirty ground
Despite the sorrow that I perceive in the sound, the truth is that it is only a natural occurrence of leaves dying and falling to the ground.
Every night I walk through the shadows
The darkness of the night symbolizes the inner shadows and fears that I face alone, as I attempt to come to terms with my loss.
Kicking up old memories
As I walk through the darkness, memories from the past are rekindled and churned up inside of me.
Wake up one morning
I aspire to the possibility that one day I will wake up to a new dawn - to a day full of hope, change and happiness.
And the hurting is gone
In this future, I hope to feel that the emotional pain and sadness I have carried for so long has dissipated.
Give me the feeling I can do something right
I long to experience a sense of purpose and validation, to feel as though I am taking positive steps toward a better future.
One of these days
This phrase serves as a recurring motif throughout the song, reflecting the hope and will to overcome the present struggle.
When it's over
The end of the ordeal, the light at the end of the tunnel, is the ultimate goal of the singer's journey.
Writer(s): William Stevenson
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
troy page
Fred Astaire is THE BEST DANCER GOD EVER CREATED!!! Him Rita, Marvin and The Sumpremes. Who would've ever thought it would be a flawless combination? Thank you so much for this! This music, singing, dancing and the grandeur of the stage production are all lost artforms. Thanks for sharing this rare gem with us.
Dave Fowler
I cant stop watching this - Fred the best dancer ever, Rita the most beautiful Goddess ever and Marvin, the best soul singer ever - and all in sync! Absolutely brilliant... thank you for this :-)
Charles Urdy-Barnes
The best for that style. We were limited at that time. Today there is too much talent, especially much more athleticism and more than just this dated style
JIM ST.GEORGE
Florence Ballard of the Supremes sang solo background to Marvin in this song.
Todd P.
I greatly prefer this style of music and dancing over the trash we have today! I'm sure they're performing now in Heaven tho . . .
Anti Vaccine Pro immunity
Nobody can touch Fred Astaire for skill, flare, style and timing. Flawless.
Alex Atuh
Michael Jackson
🌸 1955miss 🌸
Jackson copied him.
John Anderson
The greatest musical explosion ever. THE MOTOWN SOUND!
Esmond Morgan
I cannot stop playing this... Rita Hayworth is perfect what more can I say