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.
The Late Late Show
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Kiss (kiss)
Kiss (kiss)
Mwah
Ohh, all night long
Gee it's cozy in the park tonight
When you cuddle up and hold me tight
We're putting on a late late show
Hear the pretty music in the trees
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze
Old Man Moon begins to glow
He's joinin' in late, late show
Birds should be dreamin' (should be dreamin')
Start chirpin' a song (start chirpin' a song)
And wild fireflies gleamin' (and wild fireflies gleamin')
We kiss (kiss)
Kiss (kiss)
Kiss (kiss)
Mwah
Ohh, all night long
Then we amble back to my front door
Say good night and then we kiss some more
Did you know I like it so?
It started at late, late show
When you cuddle up and hold me so tight
Stars above, they seem to know, yeah
We're putting on a late late show
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze
Old Man Moon begins to glow
He's joinin' in late, late show
Birds they should be dreamin' (should be dreamin'
Startin' chirpin' a song (start-a chirpin' a song)
And wild fireflies gleamin' (gleamin')
We kiss (kiss)
Kiss (kiss)
Oh
Mwah
Baby, all night long
Then we amble back to my front door
Say good night and then we kiss some more
Did you know I like it so?
It started at late, late show
It started at late, late show, Marvin (yes, it did)
It started at late, late show
And then you kissed me and you held me so tight, Marvin (ooh)
It's mellow, baby, ow
It started at late, late show
Yes it did
"The Late Late Show" by Marvin Gaye is a playful and romantic song about a couple enjoying a late-night rendezvous. The song sets a cozy and intimate atmosphere, describing the park as a comfortable place for the two lovers to be together. The stars above and the flowers dancing in the breeze symbolize the beauty and magic of their connection, while Old Man Moon joining in the late show creates a sense of surrealism and enchantment.
The lyrics suggest that the couple's love is so strong that it can evoke nature's response, with birds chirping and fireflies gleaming in celebration of their affection. The repeated kisses throughout the song emphasize the passion and tenderness shared by the couple, and the mention of ambling back to the front door implies a reluctance to part ways, leading to more kisses.
Marvin Gaye's smooth and soulful voice perfectly captures the romantic ambiance of the song, while the light, jazzy instrumentation further enhances the late-night atmosphere. The lyrics, filled with imagery and a touch of whimsy, create a vivid picture of a couple lost in love and the magical world they create together.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss (kiss)
Expressing the act of intimately touching lips with affection
Kiss (kiss)
Continuing to emphasize the act of kissing
Kiss (kiss)
Repeating the word to emphasize the repeated act of kissing
Mwah
Imitating the sound of a gentle kiss
Ohh, all night long
Indicating that the kissing will continue throughout the night
Gee it's cozy in the park tonight
Expressing the comforting and intimate atmosphere of the park at night
When you cuddle up and hold me tight
Referring to the act of embracing closely and tightly
Stars above, they seem to know
Noticing the presence and awareness of the stars
We're putting on a late late show
Describing the romantic encounter as a performance or spectacle
Hear the pretty music in the trees
Suggesting the beautiful sounds created by nature
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze
Observing the graceful movement of flowers in the wind
Old Man Moon begins to glow
Referring to the moon as it starts to emit soft light
He's joinin' in late, late show
Implying that the moon is participating in the romantic setting
Birds should be dreamin' (should be dreamin')
Suggesting that birds should be sleeping or resting
Start chirpin' a song (start chirpin' a song)
Indicating that the birds should begin singing
And wild fireflies gleamin' (and wild fireflies gleamin')
Noticing the glowing and radiant fireflies
We kiss (kiss)
Reaffirming the act of kissing
Kiss (kiss)
Continuing to emphasize the act of kissing
Kiss (kiss)
Repeating the word to emphasize the repeated act of kissing
Mwah
Imitating the sound of a gentle kiss
Ohh, all night long
Indicating that the kissing will continue throughout the night
Then we amble back to my front door
Walking leisurely back to the artist's house
Say good night and then we kiss some more
Bidding farewell but engaging in further kissing
Did you know I like it so?
Questioning if the listener is aware of the artist's enjoyment
It started at late, late show
Implying that the romantic encounter began during the nighttime performance
When you cuddle up and hold me so tight
Reiterating the act of embracing closely and tightly
Stars above, they seem to know, yeah
Acknowledging the awareness and understanding of the stars
We're putting on a late late show
Describing the romantic encounter as a performance or spectacle
See the flowers dancin' in the breeze
Observing the graceful movement of flowers in the wind
Old Man Moon begins to glow
Referring to the moon as it starts to emit soft light
He's joinin' in late, late show
Implying that the moon is participating in the romantic setting
Birds they should be dreamin' (should be dreamin')
Suggesting that birds should be sleeping or resting
Startin' chirpin' a song (start-a chirpin' a song)
Indicating that the birds should begin singing
And wild fireflies gleamin' (gleamin')
Noticing the glowing and radiant fireflies
We kiss (kiss)
Reaffirming the act of kissing
Kiss (kiss)
Continuing to emphasize the act of kissing
Oh
Expressing surprise or delight
Mwah
Imitating the sound of a gentle kiss
Baby, all night long
Endearingly referring to the listener and emphasizing the duration of the kissing
It started at late, late show
Implying that the romantic encounter began during the nighttime performance
Yes, it did
Affirming that the romantic encounter did indeed start at the late show
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, JONROY MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David D Cavanaugh, Roy Alfred
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind