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.
Save the Children
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who really cares?
To save a world in despair
Who really cares?
There'll come a time
(There'll come a time)
When the world won't be singin'
Flowers won't grow
(Flowers won't grow, no)
Bells won't be ringin'
(The bells won't be ringin')
Who really cares?
(Who really cares?)
Who's willing to try
(Who' is willing to try)
To save the world
(To save a world)
That's destined to die
(That is destined to die)
When I look at the world
(When I look at the world)
Oh, it fills me with sorrow
(It fills me with sorrow)
Little children today
(Children today)
Really gonna suffer tomorrow
(Really suffer tomorrow)
(Oh) what a shame
(What a shame)
Such a bad way to live
(Such a bad way to live)
Uh, who is to blame?
(Who is to blame?)
We can't stop livin'
(When can't stop livin'?)
Live
Live (live for life)
Live for life
But let live everybody
Live life for the children
(Live life for the children)
(Oh, for the children)
You see (oh-oh)
Let's, let's save the children
Let's, let's save all the children
Save the babies
Save the babies
And if you wanna love
You got love, save the babies
Oh don't know how to feel, you got feel it
You will save the babies
All of the children
But who really cares?
Who's willing to try
Yes, to save our world
Yeah, save our sweet world
Save the world
That is destined to die
Oh, oh-oh, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, oh, oh, dig it, everybody
The lyrics to "Save the Children" by Marvin Gaye are a call to action for the world to wake up and take responsibility for the future of our planet and the lives of our children. The song begins with the poignant question, "Who really cares?" challenging the listener to consider who is willing to make the effort to save a world in despair. This question is followed by a sobering prediction that there will come a time when flowers won't grow, and bells won't be ringing, indicating the end of life on earth as we know it unless we act soon. The repeated refrain of "Who really cares?" underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for action.
The second verse of the song focuses on the increasingly dire situation facing children in our world today. Gaye sings of the sorrow he feels when he sees the suffering of children, who he knows will only endure worse hardship in the future. He implores us to not just live life for ourselves but to also live life for the children. The song wraps up with a call to action, urging listeners to join in the effort to "save the babies" and "save our sweet world."
"Save the Children" is still relevant today, as our planet faces a range of environmental, social, and political crises. It reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating a sustainable and just future for ourselves and future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna ask a question
I have a question to ask.
Who really cares?
Who truly cares about the fate of humanity?
To save a world in despair
We need to save a world that is suffering.
There'll come a time
A time will come in the future.
(There'll come a time)
A time will come in the future.
When the world won't be singin'
When the world will be in a state of silence.
(When the world won't be singin')
When the world will be in a state of silence.
Flowers won't grow
No more flowers will blossom.
(Flowers won't grow, no)
No more flowers will blossom.
Bells won't be ringin'
No more bells will ring.
(The bells won't be ringin')
No more bells will ring.
Who really cares?
Who truly cares about the fate of humanity?
(Who really cares?)
Who truly cares about the fate of humanity?
Who's willing to try
Who is ready to make an effort?
To save the world
To rescue our planet.
(To save a world)
To rescue our planet.
That's destined to die
That is meant to experience death.
(That is destined to die)
That is meant to experience death.
When I look at the world
As I observe the world.
(When I look at the world)
As I observe the world.
Oh, it fills me with sorrow
It makes me feel sorrowful.
(It fills me with sorrow)
It makes me feel sorrowful.
Little children today
The kids of this generation.
(Children today)
The kids of this generation.
Really gonna suffer tomorrow
Will face even more distress in the future.
(Really suffer tomorrow)
Will face even more distress in the future.
(Oh) what a shame
Expressing an emotion of pity or regret.
(What a shame)
Expressing an emotion of pity or regret.
Such a bad way to live
The current way of living is poor.
(Such a bad way to live)
The current way of living is poor.
Uh, who is to blame?
Who should be held accountable?
(Who is to blame?)
Who should be held accountable?
We can't stop livin'
We cannot stop our existence.
(When can't stop livin'?)
We cannot stop our existence.
Live
Stay alive.
Live (live for life)
Stay alive (live for longevity).
Live for life
Stay alive to experience life to the fullest.
But let live everybody
Let everyone live in peace.
Live life for the children
Live life with the hopes of a better future for children.
(Live life for the children)
Live life with the hopes of a better future for children.
(Oh, for the children)
Expressing concern for the well-being of children.
You see (oh-oh)
Do you understand?
Let's, let's save the children
Let us rescue the children.
Let's, let's save all the children
Let us rescue all the children.
Save the babies
Rescue the infants.
Save the babies
Rescue the infants.
And if you wanna love
If you wish to spread love.
You got love, save the babies
Use your love to rescue the infants.
Oh don't know how to feel, you got feel it
You cannot comprehend the feeling, but you must sense it.
You will save the babies
You will rescue the infants.
All of the children
All the kids.
But who really cares?
But who genuinely cares?
Who's willing to try
Who is willing to attempt?
Yes, to save our world
Indeed, to rescue our planet.
Yeah, save our sweet world
Yes, to rescue our beautiful planet.
Save the world
Rescue our planet.
That is destined to die
That is meant to experience death.
Oh, oh-oh, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Soothing, nonsensical sound.
Oh, oh, oh, dig it, everybody
Encouraging everyone to appreciate the message.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ritadavis4839
Marvin Gay was a visionary, the children really need to be saved and he saw it coming!! if only he was here today!! R.I.P MARVIN GAYE, you're truly missed!!❤❤🙏🏽🙏🏽
@ejortiz17
James Jamerson absolutely killed it on this track. Legendary bass work.
@dianagentile7636
Our children of today are
Our FUTURE OF TOMORROW ‼️‼️‼️
CHILDREN ARE GIFTS FROM GOD‼️🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏽
TREAT THEM AS SUCH‼️❤️❤️❤️‼️‼️
@CUBACHINA1986
Amen .I never play about our children of all races.i was abused as a child,i think that may be y.🤔
@amie8052
@@CUBACHINA1986 Prayers said for you Anna🙏❤️
@ericludlow7332
How fitting is this song in today's world, brilliant , love it and it gets better every time I hear it
@cavemanspongbobswaggymange2889
Marvin was a revolutionary artist, one of the greatest to arise in the 20th century, thank you for everything marvin.
@t.cundefeated1705
Marvin gay was a victim of gangstalking
@robertobeckford1807
dany elbert. the plea
@davidyoung3099
✊✌️he is the greatest man to tell through his songs thank you brother for that ✌️🙏✊