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.
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Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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(Time)
Jesus said, "(time) would heal all wounds"
(Time)
(Time)
(Time)
(Time)
But we have to live right to get the time
(Time)
(Time)
(Time)
(Time)
(Time)
(Time) please
(Time) oh time
Please (time) you got to be a friend of mine
Sometimes I am unable to move
I let temptation get me off of my groove
Sometimes I get it
Sometimes it's hard
To stay with it
Ooh, oh, but right now, baby
Got to get it, get it
Ooh got to stay with it
Makin' up my mind, get it
Gonna get it together
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it
All right
Pretty good lovin', oh
Get it together
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it
All right, good lovin', oh
Gonna get it together
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it
All right, ooh love
Gonna get it together
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it
All right, baby
Oh Gonna get it together
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it
All right, ooh
I've been racing against time (tick tock tick tock)
Trying my best to find my way (tick tock tick tock)
Change our world in just one day (tick tock tick tock)
Blowin' coke all up my nose (tick tock tick tock)
Gettin' in and out my clothes (my life's a clock and it's winding down)
Foolin' 'round with midnight ho's (and it's winding down)
But that chapter of life's closed
From the day you're born
'Til the day you're in the ground
I've been racing against time (tick tock tick tock)
Trying my best to find my way (tick tock tick tock)
Change our world in just one day (tick tock tick tock)
Blowin' coke all up my nose (tick tock tick tock)
Gettin' in and out my clothes (my life's a clock and it's winding down)
Foolin' 'round with midnight ho's (and it's winding down)
But that chapter of life's closed
From the day you're born
'Til the day you're in the ground
I've been racing against time (tick tock tick tock)
Trying my best to find my way (tick tock tick tock)
Change our world in just one day (tick tock tick tock)
Blowin' coke all up my nose (tick tock tick tock)
Gettin' in and out my clothes (my life's a clock and it's winding down)
Foolin' 'round with midnight ho's (and it's winding down)
But that chapter of life's closed
From the day you're born
'Til the day you're in the ground
In this song by Marvin Gaye, the lyrics explore the concept of time, and the importance of living in the moment and making the most out of every day. The song speaks about how time can heal all wounds, but also how it is crucial to live right in order to receive this benefit. The lyrics also touch on the theme of battling temptation and staying on track towards one's goals.
The song starts with the repetition of "time", which could be interpreted as the singer asking for more time to get things right. The first verse mentions how Jesus said that time would heal all wounds, but it is also necessary to live a righteous life in order to benefit from it. The chorus repeats the phrase "get it together", which could be seen as a call to action to make the most out of every day and work towards improving oneself.
The second verse starts with the singer admitting they sometimes struggle to stay on track and avoid temptation, but they are determined to "get it" and stay with it. The following lines mention fooling around and wasting time, but they recognize that this chapter of their life is now closed. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of actively working towards self-improvement and making every day count.
Line by Line Meaning
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Jesus said, "(time) would heal all wounds"
Faith in time to heal emotional wounds
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
But we have to live right to get the time
Living a righteous life in order to make the most of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time
The concept of time
Time please
A plea for more time
Time oh time
An acknowledgement of the importance of time
Please (time) you got to be a friend of mine
A desire for time to be on their side
Sometimes I am unable to move
Feeling stuck or unable to progress
I let temptation get me off of my groove
Being sidetracked or distracted by temptation
Sometimes I get it
Achieving success or understanding
Sometimes it's hard
The difficulty of maintaining success or a positive state of mind
To stay with it
The importance of perseverance and persistence
Ooh, oh, but right now, baby
A sense of urgency and desire to make a change
Got to get it, get it
Taking action and working towards success
Ooh got to stay with it
Persevering in the face of challenges
Makin' up my mind, get it
Making a decision to work towards a goal
Gonna get it together
Working towards personal growth and self-improvement
Gonna love every day every night 'til I get it all right
A commitment to working hard and striving for success
Pretty good lovin', oh
The positive results of hard work and personal growth
From the day you're born 'Til the day you're in the ground
The limited amount of time we have in life
I've been racing against time (tick tock tick tock)
Feeling like time is running out
Trying my best to find my way (tick tock tick tock)
Working hard to achieve personal goals
Change our world in just one day (tick tock tick tock)
The desire to make a significant impact in the limited time we have
Blowin' coke all up my nose (tick tock tick tock)
Engaging in destructive behavior and wasting time
Gettin' in and out my clothes (my life's a clock and it's winding down)
Spending time on frivolous pursuits
Foolin' 'round with midnight ho's (and it's winding down)
Being distracted by temporary pleasures
But that chapter of life's closed
Moving on from past mistakes and negative behavior
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind