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.
Symphony
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's only known as symphony (aah)
(Aah)
(Aah) melody, yeah
Crept- crept into the soul of me
Symphony, yeah (gonna do the thing babe, gonna do the thing)
She's sort of like a song, she moves along
In perfect rhyme, oh la la
You and me to slip away, slip away, woo
Let our song begin to play
Yeah baby
Make me the one darling
Only one who know the bliss
Of knowing when to kiss
All the love of symphony, symphony, woo
Like violins, music begins
It starts to swell, then I can tell
That pretty soon we going to be in tune
Our hearts will be in perfect harmony
Symphony
Got my heart hit like a tender beat, "Boom boom"
When you want me, send for me, ta-cha-ta-cha
And I'll come and love you tenderly
Hey oh, I'll do the things girl
(Gonna be the thing babe) oh, making you feel (feel babe)
My love is for real for You
Symphony, symphony, oh
Oh, do the thing makes you feel that I love you darling
Ohh, oh-ohh, oh-ohh, oh-ohh
In "Symphony," Marvin Gaye compares the woman he loves to a song, which has crept into his soul. He likens her to a symphony, suggesting that their love is harmonious and perfect. He notes that she moves along in perfect rhyme, like a song, and that their hearts will be in perfect harmony when they are together. The verses are filled with musical imagery, as the lyrics compare their love to violins and music that swells at the right moment. It is a sensual and romantic song that speaks to the power of music and love in bringing people together.
The chorus of the song, featuring the repeated phrase "Symphony, symphony," is particularly catchy and has become one of Gaye's most beloved hits. The song was featured on his album "Let's Get It On," which was released in 1973 and has since become a classic in the soul and R&B genres. The album was a commercial success, selling over three million copies, and helped solidify Gaye's place in music history.
Line by Line Meaning
Symphony (aah)
The singer is entranced by a woman who he compares to a symphony.
She's only known as symphony (aah)
The woman is only known by the nickname 'symphony'.
(Aah)
The singer is overwhelmed by the beauty of the woman's 'symphony'.
(Aah) melody, yeah
The woman's 'symphony' is reminiscent of a beautiful melody.
Crept- crept into the soul of me
The beauty of the woman is deeply affecting the artist's emotions.
Symphony, yeah (gonna do the thing babe, gonna do the thing)
The singer feels compelled to act on his feelings for the woman who he compares to a symphony.
She's sort of like a song, she moves along
The woman moves gracefully and fluidly, like a beautiful song.
In perfect rhyme, oh la la
The woman's grace and beauty are effortless and seem to flow in perfect harmony.
Right now feel perfect time, baby
The artist feels that this is the perfect moment for him and the woman to share their feelings.
You and me to slip away, slip away, woo
The artist is suggesting that he and the woman escape together into their own world.
Let our song begin to play
The singer wants to commence a romantic journey with the woman.
Make me the one darling
The artist wants to be the only one who brings the woman happiness.
Only one who know the bliss
The singer feels that he understands how to bring happiness to the woman.
Of knowing when to kiss
The singer feels that he knows when the right time to kiss the woman is.
All the love of symphony, symphony, woo
The singer is overwhelmed with emotions of love and desires to share them with the woman.
Like violins, music begins
As the artist and the woman come together, they start to create their own unique sound.
It starts to swell, then I can tell
As the emotions between the artist and the woman intensify, their 'music' begins to become more intense and powerful.
That pretty soon we going to be in tune
The singer is anticipating that he and the woman will become perfectly in sync with each other.
Our hearts will be in perfect harmony
The singer envisions a perfect romantic relationship where the two of them are in perfect harmony with each other.
Symphony
Repetition of the woman being compared to a symphony emphasizes how deeply the artist is affected by her beauty.
Got my heart hit like a tender beat, "Boom boom"
The artist feels as though his heart is beating quickly and powerfully in response to the woman's love.
When you want me, send for me, ta-cha-ta-cha
The artist is open and ready to respond to the woman's desires at any moment, represented by the playful sound 'ta-cha-ta-cha'.
And I'll come and love you tenderly
The singer is ready and willing to show the woman how much he cares about her.
Hey oh, I'll do the things girl
The artist promises to do everything he can to make the woman happy and satisfied in their relationship.
(Gonna be the thing babe) oh, making you feel (feel babe)
The singer wants to make the woman feel happy and loved.
My love is for real for You
The singer is expressing that his love for the woman is genuine and sincere.
Symphony, symphony, oh
Repetition of the woman being compared to a symphony once again emphasizes how deeply the singer is affected by her beauty.
Oh, do the thing makes you feel that I love you darling
The artist wants to do everything he can to make the woman feel loved and cared for in their relationship.
Ohh, oh-ohh, oh-ohh, oh-ohh
The playful repetition of 'oh' at the end of the song conveys the artist's joy and enthusiasm about his relationship with the woman.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
UNC
Do you guys hear Jamerson on that bass? FYI he’s the greatest bass player that ever walked the earth! There’s a video where this British professor is talking about Jamerson and he keeps saying “No other bass player does this!” “Who thinks like this” The professor knew everything about the “Why” in music and he was astounded by what Jamerson knew about music structure. He was an true and absolute genius. What you’re hearing under Marvin’s voice is the tone of a once in a lifetime phenomenon. It’s not just Marvin that sounds so good on this record. It’s the bass player controlling the music that sparks Marvin’s creativity.
Arthur Barry
He definitely brought the groove on this track
Adrian Manriquez
Is this song about sex?
Misty Martin
I love it
Lydiá Monique
I bumped this jam all thru the city on the way home on high volume.. thank goodness for good speakers.. 🕯✨
bucho08
Dude no lie, I did this exact thing last night on my way home from work. The vibe was blissful.
buttons&gadgetsdr1
thank god for people like you who know real music and blast real music not just cranking their bass and shit, definitely should blast try it youll like it, the world is rated X, and where are we going from this album ! -- dont forget the album heard it through the grapevine that whole album just kicks, such great tunes, every track
Jarren Mckenna
I was born in the 90's and I grew up to Marvin Gaye music. When I was with parents my parents would play music from their generation, and I would be hypnotize by the way songs reach to me. Marvin Gaye was a big deal to a lot of people between the 60's and early 80's. I really wish that got to see him preform. Hearing about his music really can impact on someones life like mine.
Jocelyn Marfil
Like this song❤
Trevy Is Famous
SalaAM ReMi brought so much more life to this song with his production. I swear this sounds like a perfect soul song that was written, recorded and released in 2019! Marvin’s voice is TIMELESS...