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.
Seek And You Shall Find
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Would I ever find true love?
She would tell me
(True love) Mhm (is hard to find)
Oh yeah (Mhm) so I traveled on
Everyone I came upon, I would stop and ask
They would tell me
(True love is hard to find, mhm)
Though years have passed and I'm all alone
No longer do I ask
I just place my faith in five little words
From way back in my past my mama said
Seek and you shall find
That's what mama said
Seek and you shall find
Sometimes I get so lonely (Lonely)
It seems useless to go on (Lonely)
But then I remember
Somewhere true love is waiting there
So I'll keep on holding on (Holding on)
Oh, and I'll keep on keeping on (Keeping on)
'Cause I know if I keep trying
I can't lose 'cause there's no denying
Seek and you shall find
That's what my mama said
Seek and you shall find
Help me somebody, woo woo, oh
Now there is no happy ending
To this story I'm telling you
But I remember somewhere
True love, I know it's waiting there
I'm gonna keep on keeping on (Holding on)
You know that I'm gonna keep holding on
(Keeping on) 'Cause I know if I keep trying
I can't lose 'cause there's no denying
Seek and you shall find
I know that's what my mama said
Seek and you shall find oh, oh
Seek and you shall find
If it's love that you're looking for
Seek, oh, and you shall find
It might be right around the corner seek
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song "Seek And You Shall Find" explore the theme of searching for true love and the belief that if one continues seeking, they will eventually find it. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about asking his mother if he would ever find true love, and her response that true love is hard to find. Despite receiving similar answers from others he asks along his journey, he continues to hold onto his mother's advice to seek and eventually find love. As the years pass, he no longer asks others but instead places his faith in his mother's words.
The song reflects the singer's feelings of loneliness and the struggle to continue on the search for love. However, the singer finds solace in the belief that true love is waiting somewhere, even though it may be difficult to find. They emphasize the importance of perseverance and keeping on, as they know that if they continue trying, they cannot lose because there is no denying the power of seeking.
The lyrics also acknowledge that there might not be a happy ending to this story, but the hope of finding true love keeps the singer going. The song ends with a call for help, possibly indicating a plea for guidance and support in the ongoing search for love.
Overall, "Seek And You Shall Find" is a song that explores the universal quest for love and the belief that if one continues seeking, they will eventually find it. It highlights the importance of perseverance, faith, and the teachings passed down from loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I used to ask my mother
In the past, I would inquire of my mother
Would I ever find true love?
Will I ever discover genuine love?
She would tell me
She would convey to me
(True love) Mhm (is hard to find)
(Unadulterated love) Mhm (is challenging to come across)
Oh yeah (Mhm) so I traveled on
Oh yes (Mhm) thus I journeyed forth
Everyone I came upon, I would stop and ask
Every person I encountered, I would pause and inquire
They would tell me
They would inform me
(True love is hard to find, mhm)
(Authentic love is challenging to find, mhm)
That's what they would say
That's the response they would give
Though years have passed and I'm all alone
Despite the passage of time and my solitude
No longer do I ask
I no longer inquire
I just place my faith in five little words
I simply place my trust in five insignificant words
From way back in my past my mama said
From a distant point in my past, my mother uttered
Seek and you shall find
Make an effort and you shall discover
That's what mama said
That's the advice my mother imparted
Sometimes I get so lonely (Lonely)
At times, I feel extremely isolated (Isolated)
It seems useless to go on (Lonely)
Continuing seems purposeless (Isolated)
But then I remember
However, I recollect
Somewhere true love is waiting there
Somewhere, genuine love patiently awaits
So I'll keep on holding on (Holding on)
Therefore, I will persist (Persisting)
Oh, and I'll keep on keeping on (Keeping on)
Oh, and I will continue (Continuing)
'Cause I know if I keep trying
Because I am aware that perseverance
I can't lose 'cause there's no denying
I cannot fail as the undeniable truth is
Seek and you shall find
Make an effort and you shall discover
That's what my mama said
That's the advice my mother imparted
Help me somebody, woo woo, oh
Assist me someone, woo woo, oh
Now there is no happy ending
Presently, there is no joyful conclusion
To this story I'm telling you
To the narrative I am recounting
But I remember somewhere
Yet, I recall a certain place
True love, I know it's waiting there
Authentic love, I am certain it awaits there
I'm gonna keep on keeping on (Holding on)
I will continue (Persisting)
You know that I'm gonna keep holding on
You are aware that I will continue clinging
(Keeping on) 'Cause I know if I keep trying
(Continuing) Because I understand that if I persevere
I can't lose 'cause there's no denying
I cannot fail as the undeniable truth is
Seek and you shall find
Make an effort and you shall discover
I know that's what my mama said
I am aware that's the advice my mother imparted
Seek and you shall find oh, oh
Make an effort and you shall discover oh, oh
Seek and you shall find
Make an effort and you shall discover
If it's love that you're looking for
If it's affection that you seek
Seek, oh, and you shall find
Make an effort, oh, and you shall discover
It might be right around the corner seek
It could possibly be nearby, so seek
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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