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.
THIRD WORLD GIRL
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo
Woo
Woo
Whoo
Whoo
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love
Jamaica special love, hey Jamaica
Sitting down, see the flowers
On the window tops
And the mountains
See the rains
And the warm lit sun
On the beaches sand (love Jamaica)
Comes a man with a plan to renew the world
Up in rasta land
Hungry boys and girls, ooh
He lived up to his part
And he died with a cause in his heart
Jamaica special love
Special love
Oh Lordy, Lordy (hahaha)
Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy
Oh Lordy, Lordy
Special love, listen
Woo (hey)
Woo-ooh
Woo (hey)
Woo-ooh
Oh baby now, oh, Jamaica lady
Hey, ha, oh, Jamaica girl
Oh, Jamaica lady
Oh, Jamaica girl
You'll be my first, my second
My third world girl (woo)
You'll be my first, my second
My third world girl
Oh, Jamaica lady
Oh, Jamaica girl (Jamaica girl)
Ha, oh baby now, oh baby now
Oh baby now, oh baby now
Oh, whao, oh
Lordy, Lord, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lord
You'll be my first, my second
My third world girl, ooh
My first, my second
My third world girl
(oh, Jamaica lady) Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica girl)
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica lady)
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica girl)
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica lady)
But not as nice as you
Hey, hey peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica girl)
But not as nice as you
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song, Third World Girl, celebrate the beauty and wonder of the Caribbean country of Jamaica. Gaye pays homage to the natural splendor of the land, capturing its essence by describing items like windows covered in flowers and sandy beaches. The Jamaican people are also highlighted. Gaye emphasizes the resilience and triumph of the people, telling the story of one man who worked to rebuild his community, only to die fighting for his cause. Through it all, the people of Jamaica remain a vibrant and special part of the world.
Marvin Gaye's Third World Girl was included on his posthumous Motown release, Love Starved Heart, in June 1994. The song was a hit, reaching the top of several charts, including the Billboard R&B singles chart. The album from which the song was taken, Love Starved Heart, itself made it to Billboard's top ten.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm
Jamaica special love
The unique and special love that Marvin has for Jamaica
Sitting down, see the flowers
On the window tops
And the mountains
See the rains
And the warm lit sun
On the beaches sand (love Jamaica)
Marvin sees the beauty of Jamaica through the various elements of nature that he observes
Comes a man with a plan to renew the world
Up in rasta land
Hungry boys and girls, ooh
He lived up to his part
And he died with a cause in his heart
Marvin acknowledges the efforts of a revolutionary man who sought to bring change to Jamaica, and recognizes his commitment and dedication to his cause, even in the face of adversity
Oh Lordy, Lordy (hahaha)
Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy
Oh Lordy, Lordy
Special love, listen
Marvin expresses his joy and enthusiasm for the special love he has for Jamaica
Oh baby now, oh, Jamaica lady
Hey, ha, oh, Jamaica girl
Oh, Jamaica lady
Oh, Jamaica girl
You'll be my first, my second
My third world girl (woo)
You'll be my first, my second
My third world girl
Marvin expresses his desire for a Jamaican girl to be his partner, and highlights his respect and admiration for Jamaican culture
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, peas and rice, they awful nice
But not as nice as you
Hey, hey peas and rice, they awful nice (oh, Jamaica girl)
But not as nice as you
Marvin compares the deliciousness of peas and rice to the sweetness of love that he finds in a Jamaican girl
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind