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.
That's the Way Love Is
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, a thousand times you ask yourself why
The one guy you love has departed
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted, ooh
Love just comes and it goes
How long it's gonna last, say, nobody knows
That's the way love is, baby
Oh, that's the way love is, sugar, that's how it is
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, that's how it is, my little dalin'
I know you're walkin' down a lonesome road
And your heart is carryin' a heavy load
I know you feel like you ain't got a friend (ain't got a friend)
Oh, and your whole world is cavin' in (whole world cavin' in)
Oh, but now's the time to be strong (to be strong)
You gotta forget him now that he's gone (now that he's gone)
And remember
That's the way love is, honey
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
That's the way love is, baby, that's how it is
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, oh, my little darlin'
Oh, baby, ooh
Oh, listen to me, little darlin'
The road of love gets rough sometimes don't let it get the best of you
Said, I've been hurt by another so many times
So I know just what you're goin' through
Oh, you wish that you were never born, you gotta forget him now that he's gone
Just remember
That's the way love is, baby
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, that's the way love is, honey
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
That's how it is
So wipe away your tears
Love is here today and gone tomorrow
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
I-I say all of your joys turn to sorrow
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, one day gladness, next day sadness
In Marvin Gaye's song "That's The Way Love Is", the lyrics describe the pain and confusion that comes with the loss of a loved one. The song is a message to someone who is heartbroken and struggling to understand why their relationship came to an end. It tells them that love is unpredictable and that no one knows how long it will last. The verses empathize with the person's pain and offer encouragement to be strong, forget the lost love and remember that this is just "the way love is."
The lyrics of the song create an atmosphere of empathy, understanding and warmth that is soothing to the emotions of the listener. The song offers an insight into the human condition, narrating how the feelings of love can be a melancholic journey. Love is here today, gone tomorrow; one day gladness, next day sadness, making it difficult to predict its duration of stay. Despite the heartbreak, the song assures the listener that they will be okay and that wiping away tears is possible, as love is a natural part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, baby, as the bitter tears fall from your eyes
As I see the tears on your cheeks, I can sense the heartbreak you are feeling
Oh, a thousand times you ask yourself why
You have been questioning and searching for a reason countless times
The one guy you love has departed
The man you love has left and gone away
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted, ooh
You are left solitary and feeling emotional pain
Love just comes and it goes
Love is unpredictable; it can come and go without any warning or explanation
How long it's gonna last, say, nobody knows
No one can predict or determine how long love is going to stay in one's life
That's the way love is, baby
This is the truth of love; it can be unpredictable and inconsistent
(That's the way love is, sure enough, how it is)
Oh, that's the way love is, sugar, that's how it is
This is the reality of love, my dear; it can be a rollercoaster ride
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, that's how it is, my little dalin'
My dear, this is the situation you are in right now
I know you're walkin' down a lonesome road
I understand that you are going through a tough and solitary phase
And your heart is carryin' a heavy load
Your heart is burdened and weighed down with sadness and pain
I know you feel like you ain't got a friend (ain't got a friend)
I know you feel like there is no one you can turn to for comfort and support
Oh, and your whole world is cavin' in (whole world cavin' in)
It feels like everything around you is falling apart
Oh, but now's the time to be strong (to be strong)
Now is the time for you to be tough and resilient
You gotta forget him now that he's gone (now that he's gone)
You must let go of him because he has left you
And remember
But don't forget
That's the way love is, honey
This is how it is when it comes to love, my dear
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
That's the way love is, baby, that's how it is
This is the reality of love, darling; it can be harsh and cruel
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, oh, my little darlin'
Oh, my dear
Oh, baby, ooh
Oh, my dear
Oh, listen to me, little darlin'
Oh, pay attention to what I am saying, my dear
The road of love gets rough sometimes don't let it get the best of you
The journey of love can be arduous and difficult; don't let it overcome you
Said, I've been hurt by another so many times
I have experienced heartache and pain from love several times
So I know just what you're goin' through
Therefore, I can relate to the emotional turmoil you are going through
Oh, you wish that you were never born, you gotta forget him now that he's gone
You feel so much pain and sorrow that you wish you were never born; but it's essential to forget him now that he has left
So wipe away your tears
So, dry your eyes and stop crying
Love is here today and gone tomorrow
Love can be short-lived; it can come and go quickly
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
I-I say all of your joys turn to sorrow
All the happiness you have experienced can suddenly transform into grief
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, one day gladness, next day sadness
Happiness and sorrow can alternate quickly, and they are part of the love experience
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind