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 Onion Song
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And pain and fear are the spices that make you cry
Oh, baby, and the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds until it dies, uh-huh
Hey world, we got a great big job to do
Yeah, we need you
And everybody who loves truth
And reach for a higher goal, yeah, yes we do, now
We gotta be headstrong about rightin' the wrong
And make a lot more happy songs, oh, oh, baby
The world is just a great big onion
And I don't care, is the face people like to wear
Yes it is now, oh, baby
And the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Every one single soul's got to do their share
Tell about it, baby, whoo
So come on, let's knock on every door, whoo
Tell them love is the answer
Whether they're rich or poor
Oh, yeah, now, we don't care what you do
How you look, or your status claim, baby
No no, because brothers and sisters
From now on, is gonna be everyone's name, oh-oh, whoo
The world is just a great big onion
And pain and fear are the spices that make you cry
Yes it is, oh, baby
And the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds
Now everybody, got to plant love seeds
Come on and plant love seeds
Until it dies
The world is just a great big onion
"The Onion Song" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is a song about the state of the world and the need for love and unity to overcome pain and fear. The opening lines, "The world is just a great big onion, and pain and fear are the spices that make you cry," suggest that the world is complex and filled with difficulties, but these are heightened by the emotions we experience as we navigate it. The only way to overcome this "great big onion" is to plant "love seeds" that will grow until the onion is gone.
The song goes on to suggest that we all have a role to play in this process, regardless of our status or background. We need to "clean up this place" and strive for a higher goal, being "headstrong about rightin' the wrong." The chorus repeats the image of the onion, emphasizing that it is up to every individual to plant love and work toward a better world. This is not an easy task, but the song suggests that it is possible if we work together and focus on what unites us rather than what divides us.
Overall, "The Onion Song" is a powerful call to action for love and unity in a world full of pain and fear. It suggests that the only way to overcome the difficulties we face is to work together and focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. The image of the onion is a powerful metaphor for the complexity of the world, but it reminds us that even the greatest challenges can be overcome with patience and persistence.
Line by Line Meaning
The world is just a great big onion
The complexity and difficulties of the world are comparable to the layered structure of an onion.
And pain and fear are the spices that make you cry
Difficulties in life like pain and fear act as a catalyst for emotional tears.
Oh, baby, and the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds until it dies, uh-huh
The only way to eradicate the negativity in the world is by spreading the seeds of love until it vanishes completely.
Hey world, we got a great big job to do
Yeah, we need you
And everybody who loves truth
The world has a huge responsibility and we need the contribution of everyone who desires the truth.
Don't you know we've got to clean up this place
And reach for a higher goal, yeah, yes we do, now
We gotta be headstrong about rightin' the wrong
And make a lot more happy songs, oh, oh, baby
We must be resolute in correcting the flaws in the world and focus on achieving a better future. This can be achieved by spreading joy through songs.
And I don't care, is the face people like to wear
Yes it is now, oh, baby
And the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Every one single soul's got to do their share
Tell about it, baby, whoo
The masks and false appearances of individuals do not matter, the only way to remove negativity is through collective effort by every individual planting love seeds.
So come on, let's knock on every door, whoo
Tell them love is the answer
Whether they're rich or poor
We should promote the message of love to everyone, disregarding their social status or economic standing.
Oh, yeah, now, we don't care what you do
How you look, or your status claim, baby
No no, because brothers and sisters
From now on, is gonna be everyone's name, oh-oh, whoo
Individual actions, looks and their social status do not matter. Everyone should be referred to as brothers and sisters, and we are all obligated to spread love.
And pain and fear are the spices that make you cry
Yes it is, oh, baby
And the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds
Pain and fear fuel tears, and the only way to eradicate negativity in the world is by consistently sowing the seeds of love.
Now everybody, got to plant love seeds
Come on and plant love seeds
Until it dies
Every individual must make contributions towards spreading love, by consistently and patiently sowing the seeds of love until every trace of negativity is eradicated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anitatanner504
The Onion Song brings back memories of when I was a child it would come on the radio and my Mother would start singing it and I would join in, it was a fun song and we didn't have a care in the world back then. We need more songs like that.
@appledemello8683
Snap and while my mum has passed away, I'm still playing and dancing to this song.
@darrellwheeler6088
The best dual in the history of music it is so tragic to lose both of them at such young ages It hard to believe if Tammi was still living today she would had been 76 and Marvin would had been 82 today. I believe when Tammi had died in 1970 we had also lost Marvin to they were extremely close she was the only woman he had truly loved. I believe when Tammi had died Marvin had gave up living also he went thru the last 14 years of his life unfortunately strung on drugs depression suicidal and gave up on living. Marvin was never the same after Tammi's untimely death he wanted to join her in death it very heartbreaking. I just hope and pray that he got a chance to reunite with her in heaven forever singing their beautiful duets together god bless you Marvin and Tammi we will always love and miss you both and thank you for your beautiful collaboration classics hits RIP.
@gwill3019
I know she has always been my favorite vocal female singer.
@davidwaterhouse2552
Two of the most 'Gorgeous' Voices coming together in perfect harmony! God Bless them ! dx
@WDP24069872
If only we had pure class like this today, motown will never be beaten, superb song.
@Changingtimes2024
I know it’s one big onion because every time I think about it I start crying
@hotbutteredcrumpets
Rest In Peace Marvin and Tammi, and Otis, Curtis, Donny and all the soul greats who have passed and left us the gift of their wonderful music.
@jaymooney1285
Legends!!! RIP Timeless beautiful sounds. ❤️😢
@jamiewarriorwarlordmccallu5712
awesome motown song, from my all time favourite duet, and the world is one big onion.