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.
Stand By Me
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me
And darling, darling
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Whoa, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me
Darling, darling
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble, won't you stand by me?
Oh, stand by me
Won't you stand now? Oh, stand
Stand by me
When all of your friends is gone
The song "Stand By Me" by Marvin Gaye is a heartwarming tribute to the steadfastness of love and the importance of companionship in times of darkness. The first verse sets the scene, describing a dark and eerie night, with only the moon offering any sort of light. The lyrics suggest that in such a situation, many people might feel afraid, but Gaye emphasizes his resolve to remain strong, so long as his beloved stands by him. This sense of comfort and support is carried throughout the song, with Gaye pleading for his love to stand by him and offering the same in return.
The second verse takes the metaphorical language of the first to a new level, imagining an even more apocalyptic scenario where the sky or a mountain might crumble. Despite the chaos and destruction around them, Gaye confidently asserts that he'll remain emotionally stable so long as his support system remains constant. The song closes with a sense of gratitude and a plea for reciprocation - whenever Gaye's love might need his support, he promises to stand by them, just as they have done for him.
Line by Line Meaning
When the night has come
When darkness falls upon us
And the land is dark
And everything around us is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
And the only source of light is the moon
No, I won't be afraid
I won't feel scared
Oh, I won't be afraid
I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
As long as you stand by me
Stand by me
Stay beside me
So darling, darling
My dear, my dear
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Stay beside me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stay beside me
If the sky that we look upon
If the sky we gaze at
Should tumble and fall
Collapses and falls apart
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
Or if the mountains collapse into the ocean
I won't cry, I won't cry
I won't weep
No, I won't shed a tear
No, I won't cry
Just as long as you stand
As long as you stay by me
And darling, darling
And my dear, my dear
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Stay beside me
Whoa, stand now, stand by me
Please stay beside me
Whenever you're in trouble, won't you stand by me?
If you ever face trouble, will you be there for me?
Oh, stand by me
Stay beside me
Won't you stand now? Oh, stand
Please stay beside me, oh please
When all of your friends is gone
When you lose all your friends
Darling, darling
My dear, my dear
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Stay beside me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Please stay beside me
Stand by me
Stay beside me
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joe J
Dang. Never new Marvin Gaye could do such a fabulous imitation of the great voice of Ben E. King !! Kudos Marvin.
YaroSz.
...genialne, genialne na wieczór i noc....
YaroSz.
@***** sprawiam radość?, cieszę się ....:-))
Marisa Vilella Surur
sensacional lindo 💚💚💚💙💙💙
Jordan Marie
i love this song. it's so real and marvin gaye is singing about what he wants(sort of). i think it's beautiful.
Sueli Soares
Uma das melhores!
Mamadou Lamine Kebe
Cette chanson est tout simplement magnifique.
Simone
Não se fazem mais música assim!
Karinna Reis
SHOOOOOW de música *-*
HendrixDoors
This is my favorite version of Stand By Me.