Stubborn Kind of Fellow
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul an… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul and rnb singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, known as "The Prince of Soul", or "The Prince of Motown." Originally a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows, he pursued a solo career after the group disbanded and released many successful solo hits including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On". His best albums are still held in extremely high regard, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.

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.

Stubborn Kind of Fellow
Marvin Gaye Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah
Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

I try to put my arms around you
All because I want to hold you tight
But every time I reach for you, baby
And try to kiss you, you're just jumping out of sight
Oh, I've got news for you
Baby, that I've made plans for two
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

I'm gonna love you
In every way
I'm gonna love you
In every way

With other girls I've wanted
I've made it just a moment
With you I'll share each day
Now I know you've heard about me
Bad things about me, baby, please let me explain
Oh, I have kissed a few
I tell you, a few have kissed me too
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

Everybody sings
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Everybody sings
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah




Sing now everybody
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

In Marvin Gaye's song "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," Gaye sings about his persistence in trying to win over a woman who plays hard to get. The song is about his determination to love her and pursue her despite her reluctance. The opening lyrics are repeated throughout the song as a refrain, "Say yeah yeah yeah," which adds a playful tone to the persistence of Gaye's pursuit.


Gaye describes his attempts to hold the woman and kiss her, but every time he does, she jumps out of reach. He insists that he has plans for the two of them and he is resolute in his mission to win her heart. Gaye acknowledges his reputation of being a womanizer, but assures her that spending time with her is different, and although he may have kissed a few other women, he only has his mind set on her.


The upbeat tempo and catchy melody add to the playful and lighthearted nature of the lyrics. The song conveys the idea of determination and persistence when it comes to love while also acknowledging the importance of respecting boundaries and taking things slow.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah
The singer expresses his enthusiasm, by using the repetition of the phrase 'yeah yeah yeah'.


I try to put my arms around you
The singer puts physical effort to hold the person he loves.


All because I want to hold you tight
The singer expresses his affection by wanting to hold the person he loves securely.


But every time I reach for you, baby
The singer is trying to approach the person he loves, but they are evading him.


And try to kiss you, you're just jumping out of sight
Despite the singer's efforts, the person he loves is avoiding his affections.


Oh, I've got news for you
The singer is about to reveal something significant to the person he loves.


Baby, that I've made plans for two
The singer has made a commitment to the person he loves, and has made plans for their future together.


I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
The singer admits that he is resolute in his pursuit of the person he loves.


Got my mind made up to love you
The singer is determined to love the person he is pursuing.


I'm gonna love you
The singer promises to love the person he is pursuing.


In every way
The singer will love the person he is pursuing with every fiber of his being.


With other girls I've wanted
The singer has had desires for other girls in the past.


I've made it just a moment
The singer's past relationships have not lasted long.


With you I'll share each day
The singer wants to spend every day with the person he loves.


Now I know you've heard about me
The singer is aware that rumors exist about him.


Bad things about me, baby, please let me explain
The singer is asking the person he loves for a chance to explain himself and his past.


Oh, I have kissed a few
The singer has been physically intimate in his past relationships.


I tell you, a few have kissed me too
The singer is sharing that he was not the only one who initiated intimacy in his past relationships.


Everybody sings
The singer is inviting everyone to participate in the song.


Sing now everybody
The singer is encouraging everyone to sing along.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: GEORGE GORDY, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, WILLIAM STEVENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

hitsvill1916

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah
Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

I try to put my arms around you
All because I wanna hold you tight
(To hold you tight)
But every time I reach for you, baby
And try to kiss you, you're just jumping out of sight
(Out of sight)
Oh, I've got news for you
Baby, that I've made plans for two
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

[Instrumental]

I'm gonna love you
(Gonna love you in every way)
In every way
(Gonna love you in every way)
I'm gonna love you
(Gonna love you in every way)
In every way
(Gonna love you in every way)

With other girls I've wanted
I've made it just a moment
With you I'll share each day
(I'll stay by your side)
Now I know you've heard about me
Bad things about me, baby, please let me explain
(Don't you listen to that jive)
Oh, I have kissed a few
I tell you, a few have kissed me too
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

[Repeat and fade:]
Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah



Tee Ivan

Stubborn Kind Of Fellow"

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah
Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

I try to put my arms around you
All because I wanna hold you tight
(To hold you tight)
But every time I reach for you, baby
And try to kiss you, you're just jumping out of sight
(Out of sight)
Oh, I've got news for you
Baby, that I've made plans for two
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah

[Instrumental]

I'm gonna love you
(Gonna love you in every way)
In every way
(Gonna love you in every way)
I'm gonna love you
(Gonna love you in every way)
In every way
(Gonna love you in every way)

With other girls I've wanted
I've made it just a moment
With you I'll share each day
(I'll stay by your side)
Now I know you've heard about me
Bad things about me, baby, please let me explain
(Don't you listen to that jive)
Oh, I have kissed a few
I tell you, a few have kissed me too
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you

[Repeat and fade:]
Ah say yeah yeah yeah, say yeah yeah yeah



D. TlERRA AYERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF MOTOWN'S
60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

GOTTA KEE THIS PARTY GOING AN I MUST GET

ME A NEW PHONE ASAP HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 1

LEGENDARY

RECORDING ARTIST INCLUDING THE LATE

LEGENDARY PRINCE OF R&B THAT PRODUCED AMAZING FABULOUS

HIT SONGS AND GREAT ENTERTAINMENT FOR
MANY GENERATIONS

AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY A

LONG LIST OF HIS MUSIC CONNOISSEURS WORLDWIDE



All comments from YouTube:

Miguel Tomlinson

The Vandellas are killing it on background vocals.....

Joanne Tran

Really. Yes they are.

Alyson Rome

Ty for acknowledging backup singers, and isn't this the best ever?

Tk So.Philly-

KILLING IT !!! MY cousin grew up with Marvib Gaye in D.C. Webt to Cardoza High School.- F O N D memories.

Keith Robinson

They sure are,they also did background vocals on another album by him which is outstanding, can't name the album,but one of My favorite songs is "Forever "

rizzle razzleuno

A true classic. Both Marvin and the background singers (Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Gloria Williams and Annette Beard) were perfect. Love all the variety in this song and wish it was about 4 minutes long. I always have to play it at least twice in row, once is never enough.

Wymell Williams

I used to work with the net she was a beautiful woman what a great person if you ever got a chance to touch into her personality you would know she was somewhat kind of shy at Detroit Memorial Hospital we all loved her

Wymell

I was always in love with a Annette

Keith Robinson

Yes they are!!!

Thelma Lee

I was 7 years old in 1962 when this was released. I can remember it so well. Love how his voice cracks at the 2:03 mark. Big ups to the Martha & The Vandellas on background vocals.

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