Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul an… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (2 April 1939 - 1 April 1984) was an American soul and rnb singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, known as "The Prince of Soul", or "The Prince of Motown." Originally a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows, he pursued a solo career after the group disbanded and released many successful solo hits including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On". His best albums are still held in extremely high regard, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.

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.

Try It Baby
Marvin Gaye Lyrics

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Now you're moving on up, pretty baby
You're leaving me behind
Everybody seems to love you
Oh, you're doing just fine, fine, fine
But take away your good looks
And all your fancy clothes
Why don't you just
(Try) try it, baby

(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, baby
You'll see
That nobody loves you but me (nobody but me)

Now, you tell me that you're so busy, pretty baby
You ain't got much time
Oh, how well I remember
When all your time was mine, mine, mine
Well, move on back cross the track, baby
Where you came from
Why don't you just
(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, baby
You'll see
That nobody loves you but me (nobody but me)
Nobody loves you but me (nobody but me)

I really want to hold you, pretty baby
In my arms again
But I can't get close to you
For all your loving friends, friends, friends
But take your name from the bright lights, baby (take it from the lights)
And tell me that you are all through (tell them you are through
Come on and
(Try) try it, honey
(Try) try it, baby
(Try) try it, sweetheart
(Try) try it, honey
You'll see that nobody loves you but me (nobody but me)

I want you to (try) if you think I'm lying (try)
If you don't believe me, think I'm jiving

Overall Meaning

In "Try It Baby", Marvin Gaye sings about a former lover who has moved on and is enjoying her newfound success. She's become popular and is loved by many, but Gaye pleads for her to strip away the superficialities and try to remember their love. He urges her to try to realize that despite her new life of luxury and fame, no one will ever love her as he does. He reminisces about the past when they shared all of their time and memories together. He longs to hold her once again, but he can't because she's surrounded by her new friends.

The song is a classic example of a man trying to win back his former lover. The lyrics are very relatable and will resonate with anyone who's ever been in a similar situation. The melody is catchy and soulful, and Gaye's smooth voice delivers the lyrics with passion and conviction. The song is a testament to Marvin Gaye's talent for writing and recording timeless soul music.

Try It BabyMarvin Gaye Lyrics

Try It Baby
Marvin Gaye Lyrics