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.
Praise
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I want you
To let your light come shining through
Aww, baby
Baby, why don't you
Just let your love come shining through
Baby
No need to worry
Honey
When in trouble
Let your love come shining through
Ohh, baby
You'll be happy
When your light come shining through
Baby
Life is a party
And you let your love come shining through
Let it shine, baby
Let it shine, baby
Let it shine, baby
Let it shine, baby
Shine all the time
Shine and be kind
Then you'll feel fine
Then you'll be mine
Baby
Life is worth living
If you let your love come shining through
Aww, baby
The world is mellow
When you let your love come shining through
Ooh, baby
The world is waiting
So let your light come shining through
Stevie
We really dig you
Hope you don't mind this riff from you
Oh, praise Him when you go to work
Praise Him when your feelings hurt
Praise Him when you're feeling bad
Praise Him when you're feeling sad
All praises to the power
Praise Him by the love you give
Praise Him by the way you live
Praise Him even when you dance and make romance
When you make romance(let your light come shining through,baby)
Praise Him when you got no time
Praise Him whether rain or shine (shine shine shine shine shine)
Praise Him for the sun lighted sky
Praise Him for the moonlight
Praise Him bringing summer
Praise Him for the weather
Praise Him with thy mighty soul
Praise Him with thy money bowl
Praise Him by the words you speak
You'll just have to let you see
Praise Him every single day
Praise Him in all kinds of ways
Praise Him from the mountaintop
Praise Him even
Praise to the power
Praise Him every day
Praise Him in a special way
In Marvin Gaye's song Praise, he provides encouragement and advice on how to navigate through life with a positive outlook by allowing your inner light and love to shine through any situation. Gaye urges the listener to let their love come shining through during times of trouble and worry, to always shine and be kind to others, and to praise God throughout life's ups and downs. The song also pays tribute to Stevie Wonder with the lyrics "Stevie, we really dig you, hope you don't mind this riff from you."
Gaye's lyrics encourage the listener to praise God in every aspect of their life, from going to work to dancing and making romance. He emphasizes that praising God can come in various forms, whether it's through the love you give, the way you speak, or the money you donate. The song's overall message is to stay positive, have gratitude for what you have, and remain faithful in your beliefs regardless of the circumstances.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was originally written and recorded during a session with Berry Gordy as a potential album cut for the artist David Ruffin. However, Gaye insisted on recording it himself and it later became a track on his 1979 album "Love Man." Another interesting fact is that there is an alternate version of the song called "Sanctified Lady," which includes additional lyrics about a specific woman who is a "sanctified lady."
Line by Line Meaning
Say, baby
Hey there, my dear
You know I want you
I desire your attention and love
To let your light come shining through
Be yourself and let your positive attributes and personality shine through
Aww, baby
Oh my dear
Baby, why don't you
My dear, why not
Just let your love come shining through
Be true to yourself and let your love and compassion show
Baby
My dear
No need to worry
There's no need to fret
Let your love come shining through
Show your love and positivity
Honey
My dear
When in trouble
During times of distress
Let your love come shining through
Demonstrate love and kindness
Ohh, baby
Oh my dear
You'll be happy
You'll feel content and joyful
When your light come shining through
When you let your positive attributes and personality shine through
Baby
My dear
Life is a party
Life is a celebration
And you let your love come shining through
Show your love and positivity
Let it shine, baby
Let your love and positivity radiate
Shine all the time
Demonstrate love and positivity at all times
Shine and be kind
Radiate love and kindness
Then you'll feel fine
You'll feel content and joyful
Then you'll be mine
We'll be united in love
Baby
My dear
Life is worth living
Life is precious
If you let your love come shining through
By showing your love and positivity, life becomes more meaningful
Aww, baby
Oh my dear
The world is mellow
The world is calm and peaceful
When you let your love come shining through
Showing love and positivity contributes to a more peaceful world
Ooh, baby
Oh my dear
The world is waiting
The world is anticipating
So let your light come shining through
Show your positive attributes and personality
Stevie
Referring to Stevie Wonder
We really dig you
We really admire you
Hope you don't mind this riff from you
Hope you're okay with us using your style in our music
Oh, praise Him when you go to work
Show gratitude and praise to God when going to work
Praise Him when your feelings hurt
Demonstrate gratitude and praise to God when feeling emotional pain
Praise Him when you're feeling bad
Show appreciation and reverence to God when feeling distressed
Praise Him when you're feeling sad
Demonstrate gratitude and praise to God during periods of sadness
All praises to the power
All appreciation and reverence to God
Praise Him by the love you give
Show your respect and thankfulness to God through expressing love to others
Praise Him by the way you live
Demonstrate gratitude and appreciation to God through living a meaningful life
Praise Him even when you dance and make romance
Demonstrate reverence and gratitude to God even during times of intimacy and love
When you make romance(let your light come shining through, baby)
Display your positive attributes and personality even when being intimate with someone
Praise Him when you got no time
Demonstrate thankfulness and appreciation to God even during busy times
Praise Him whether rain or shine (shine shine shine shine shine)
Show your reverence, gratitude, and appreciation to God during all types of weather
Praise Him for the sun lighted sky
Show appreciation and gratitude to God for the beauty of a sunny sky
Praise Him for the moonlight
Demonstrate thanks and reverence to God for the beauty of moonlight
Praise Him bringing summer
Show appreciation and gratitude to God for the beauty of summer
Praise Him for the weather
Demonstrate thanks and reverence to God for the beauty of weather
Praise Him with thy mighty soul
Show reverence and gratitude to God with your whole being
Praise Him with thy money bowl
Demonstrate thanks and reverence to God with your wealth
Praise Him by the words you speak
Show appreciation and reverence to God with your speech
You'll just have to let you see
You'll need to experience it yourself to understand
Praise Him every single day
Show gratitude, thanks, and reverence to God daily
Praise Him in all kinds of ways
Demonstrate appreciation and gratitude to God in a variety of ways
Praise Him from the mountaintop
Show reverence and gratitude to God from a high point
Praise Him even
Show reverence, thanks and appreciation to God despite any circumstances
Praise to the power
Giving reverence and gratitude to God
Praise Him every day
Show gratitude and thanks to God daily
Praise Him in a special way
Demonstrate thanks, appreciation and reverence to God in a unique and personal way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind