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.
Right On
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that's alright
Every day, that's alright
Oh, when we love each other
I know that's alright
Oh, just feel it, feel it
Oh, everybody feel it
God knows that's alright, yes
Some of us were born with money to spend
Some of us were born for races to win
Some of us are aware that it's good for us to care
Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowin' in the air
For those of us who simply like to socialize
For those of us who tend the sick
And heed the people's cries
Let me say to you
Turn on, on, feel it, feel
Yeah, oh, oh, oh Lord, Lord, people
And I say, right on
Honey, right on
For those of us who live where peace is craved
For those of us who live, where hatred is enslaved, alright
For those of us who live a life, yeah
Surrounded by good fortune and wealth, talk about it
For those of us who live a life, hey, hey, hey enjoyin' ourselves
For those of us who got drowned in the sea of happiness
For the soul that takes pride in his God
And himself and everything else (ooh-ooh)
(Love, sorry)
(Love)
Love, love, sweet love, love, wonderful love
Ah, true love, love, love for your brother
And love, love for God
Love, pure love
Ah true love can conquer hate every time
Give out some love and you'll find peace sublime
And my darlin', one more thing
If you let me, I will take you to live where love is king
Oh, baby
In Marvin Gaye's song "Right On," the lyrics express various perspectives on life and what is considered to be alright. The song begins with a proclamation that loving each other is alright and encourages everyone to feel it, including God. This idea is followed by a recognition that some people are born with money to spend, while others feel the “icy winds of poverty” blowing. The song then switches to discussing those who like to socialize, the sick, and oppressed before saying "right on" to all.
The song continues by expressing that there are those who enjoy their lives and those who take pride in themselves, God, and everything else. The refrain repeats the phrase "love, sweet love" and emphasizes the importance of brotherly and pure love. Gaye sings that love can conquer hate and offer peace, and that he would take anyone to live where love reigns supreme.
"Right On" is essentially conveying the message of equality, love, and unity. Regardless of where one stands in society, the song suggests that everyone is capable of feeling love toward one another, and that it is essential for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby, that's alright people
It's okay to be who you are, people are accepted for who they are.
I know that's alright
Assurance that the listener will be accepted by the singer.
Every day, that's alright
Every day is accepted and okay no matter what happens.
Oh, when we love each other
Love between people is celebrated.
I know that's alright
The artist reiterates their acceptance of the listener.
Oh, just feel it, feel it
Encourages listeners to really experience and feel love and acceptance.
Oh, everybody feel it
Everyone is included and encouraged to feel love.
God knows that's alright, yes
God also accepts and loves everyone.
Some of us were born with money to spend
Acknowledgment that not everyone has an equal starting point in life.
Some of us were born for races to win
Some people have advantages in life and are able to succeed more easily.
Some of us are aware that it's good for us to care
Taking care of others is important and can benefit everyone.
Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowin' in the air
Some people struggle with poverty and its effects.
For those of us who simply like to socialize
People who enjoy socializing are recognized and included.
For those of us who tend the sick
Caregivers are recognized and included.
And heed the people's cries
Listening to and responding to people's needs and suffering is important.
Turn on, on, feel it, feel
Encouragement to embrace and experience love and acceptance.
Yeah, oh, oh, oh Lord, Lord, people
Expression of joy and praise.
And I say, right on
Approval and encouragement of the positive message.
Honey, right on
Affectionate and celebratory expression of agreement.
For those of us who live where peace is craved
People who live in conflict or war zones are recognized and acknowledged.
For those of us who live, where hatred is enslaved, alright
People who live where hate is perpetuated and encouraged are mentioned and included.
For those of us who live a life, yeah, surrounded by good fortune and wealth, talk about it
People who are privileged or wealthy are mentioned, perhaps with an acknowledgment of their good fortune.
For those of us who live a life, hey, hey, hey enjoyin' ourselves
People who are happy and enjoying their lives are recognized and included.
For those of us who got drowned in the sea of happiness
People who are overwhelmed with happiness or joy are recognized.
For the soul that takes pride in his God
People who find pride and comfort in their faith are included.
And himself and everything else (ooh-ooh)
People who find pride and satisfaction in their own accomplishments and in life in general are acknowledged.
(Love, sorry)
Possible mistake or typo in the original lyrics. Line does not seem to fit with the rest of the song content.
(Love)
Reassertion of the importance of love.
Love, love, sweet love, love, wonderful love
Repetition and emphasis on the message of love.
Ah, true love, love, love for your brother
Love for your fellow human beings is important.
And love, love for God
Love for a higher power or God is acknowledged and included.
Love, pure love
Unconditional and pure love is emphasized.
Ah true love can conquer hate every time
Love has the power to overcome hate and bring people together.
Give out some love and you'll find peace sublime
Being loving and kind to others can bring inner peace and contentment.
And my darlin', one more thing
The singer addresses someone they love or care about.
If you let me, I will take you to live where love is king
Offer to share the love and acceptance represented in the song.
Oh, baby
Possible expression of affection and endearment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Earl C. DeRouen, Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mantronix19
Hey baby, that's alright people
I know that's alright
Everyday, that's alright
Oh, when we love each other
I know that's alright
Oh just feel it, feel it
Oh everybody feel it
God know that's alright, yes
Some of us were born with money to spend
Some of us were born for races to win
Some of us are aware that it's good for us to care
Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowin' in the air
For those of us who simply like to socialize
For those of us who tend the sick
And heed the people's cries
Let me say to you
Turn on, on, feel it, feel
Yeah, oh, oh, oh Lord, Lord, people
And I say, right on
Honey, right on
For those of us who live where peace is craved
For those of us who live, where hatred is enslaved, alright
For those of us who live a life, yeah
Surrounded by good fortune and wealth, talk about it
For those of us who live a life, hey, hey, hey enjoyin' ourselves
For those of us who got drowned in the sea of happiness
For the soul that takes pride in his God
And himself and everything else
Love, love, sweet love, love, wonderful love
Ah, true love, love, love for your brother
And love, love for God
Love, pure love
Ah true love can conquer hate every time
Give out some love and you'll find peace sublime
And my darlin', one more thing
If you let me, I will take you to live where love is king
Oh, baby
Limits98
Lyrics
[Intro]
Hey baby, that's alright people
I know that's alright
Everyday, that's alright
Oh, when we love each other
[Verse 1]
I know that's alright
Oh just feel it, feel it
Oh everybody feel it
God know that's alright, yes
[Verse 2]
Some of us were born with money to spend
Some of us were born for races to win
Some of us are aware that it's good for us to care
Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowing in the air
[Verse 3]
For those of us who simply like to socialize
For those of us who tend the sick
And heed the people's cries
Let me say to you, right on
[Bridge]
Oh, feel it, feel
Yeah, oh, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord, people
And I say, right on
Honey, right on
[Verse 4]
For those of us who live where peace is craved
For those of us who live, where hatred is enslaved, alright
For those of us who live a life, yeah
Surrounded by good fortune and wealth (Talk about it)
[Verse 5]
For those of us who live a life, hey, hey, hey enjoying ourselves
For those of us who got drowned in the sea of happiness
For the soul that takes pride in his God
And himself and everything else
[Instrumental break]
[Verse 6]
Love, love, sweet love, love, wonderful love
Ah, true love, love, love for your brother
And love, love for God
Love, ah pure love
[Verse 7]
Ah true love can conquer hate every time
Give out some love and you'll find peace sublime
And my darling, one more thing
If you let me, I will take you to live where love is king
Ah, baby
Ryan Gordon
Some of us were born
With money to spend
Some of us were born
For races to win
Some of us are aware
That it's good for us to care
Some of us feel the icy wind
Of poverty blowing in the air
For those of us who simply like to socialize
For those of us who tend the sick
Ah, and heed the people's cries
Let me say to you
Right on
I Provide Lyrics
Hey baby, that's alright people
I know that's alright
Everyday, that's alright
Oh, when we love each other
I know that's alright
Oh just feel it, feel it
Oh everybody feel it
God know that's alright, yes
Some of us were born with money to spend
Some of us were born for races to win
Some of us are aware that it's good for us to care
Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowing in the air
For those of us who simply like to socialize
For those of us who tend the sick
And heed the people's cries
Let me say to you, right on
Turn on, on, feel it, feel
Yeah, oh, oh, oh Lord, Lord, people
And I say, right on
Honey, right on
For those of us who live where peace is craved
For those of us who live, where hatred is enslaved, alright
For those of us who live a life, yeah
Surrounded by good fortune and wealth, talk about it
For those of us who live a life, hey, hey, hey enjoying ourselves
For those of us who got drowned in the sea of happiness
For the soul that takes pride in his God
And himself and everything else
Love, love, sweet love, love, wonderful love
Ah, true love, love, love for your brother
And love, love for God
Love, pure love
Ah true love can conquer hate every time
Give out some love and you'll find peace sublime
And my darling, one more thing
If you let me, I will take you to live where love is king
Ah, baby
Daniel Cropp
Love everything about this song- vocals, lyrics, bassline, harmonies, saxophone, strings, everything. I also think it's really cool how the bridge section is completely different and then it goes straight back into the original riff like nothing changed at all. Truly sublime.
Peaceandwealth
I love the vocals - you can feel his pain and emotional engagement into the theme. I also love the delicacy of his voice at the end.
Ian Fulton
Marvin did a lot of crazy things when he was alive but he was definitely on the money when he wrote this masterpiece! The whole album epitomises SOUL to me and the lyrics hit you like a punch in the guts - especially now when you consider how we've screwed the planet up. Maybe more of us should've been asking "whats going on?"
Pentecostal Lady
Sheer perfection. From Marvin's voice, to his love for God, to the words, every note, every musical instrument, the violins, the sax, percussion MASTERPIECE.
Michele Tripodi
Marvin Gaye was a beautiful man. He had A Heart & Lists of Soul. I love him.
kosmique
no doubt a masterpiece. but, the whole album is a masterpiece like no other. the way all these songs melt together, not only musically, but from a message point of view, a mood point of view. its the greatest album of all time probably.
my dad played this album every day all day ... and i was born in the 80s so he was playing this for decades. I understood why as soon as i became an adult. this album just feels like a part of me by now.
MSL525
@PLady
Love the Guiro to that permeates the song.
daman589986
An iconic masterpiece that is still relevant and even. moire timely. Marvin stated that God wrote the album through him. Somehow, I can believe that.
2mose2
On an album of mega hits, this one is largely overlooked and under appreciated. But its musicality, funk and social message is undeniable. Ice cold classic masterpiece. I wonder if there has been a jazz cover?
Adrian Cooke
This is actually my go-to song from the album