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.
When I'm Alone I Cry
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is just one way I try to hide my blues
But in my room when I'm alone I cry
I confess I do my best
To show them I'm the guy i weigh a smile
But only while when I'm alone I cry
It's all, it's all that's left to do
Somehow I'm sure she'll come back no more
The rest is up to you dear
Smile my heart and play the part
Though deep inside we know
It's all a game but just the same
The truth must never show
On you I rely my heart you know why
When I'm alone I, I cry
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's song "When I'm Alone I Cry" depict a contrasting image of the singer's public and private persona. In public, he tries to hide his sadness by laughing and putting on a smile, attempting to convince others that he is strong and content. However, when he is alone and away from the crowd, his true emotions come to the surface, and he finds solace in shedding tears. He confesses that he tries his best to appear happy, but it is only a facade that he maintains when he is alone.
The lyrics reveal the singer's struggle to cope with missing someone he deeply loves. He pretends that he doesn't miss this person, but deep down, he knows that their absence is painful. He holds onto the hope that they will return, but he also realizes that the outcome is uncertain and is beyond his control. Despite this internal conflict, he urges his heart to continue smiling and playing along with the charade, even though he knows that the truth should never be exposed. The singer relies on this person, perhaps for emotional support or companionship, and when he is alone, the weight of their absence becomes too much to bear, leading him to cry.
Overall, the lyrics of "When I'm Alone I Cry" explore the vulnerability and contradiction between what we portray to the world and what we truly feel inside. It touches upon the struggle to keep up appearances, maintain a facade of happiness, and the anguish that comes from missing someone deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
Laughing loud out with the crowd
Putting on a happy face and pretending to be joyful when surrounded by others
Is just one way I try to hide my blues
It's a coping mechanism to conceal my sadness and emotional pain
But in my room when I'm alone I cry
When there's no one around, I allow myself to release my pent-up emotions and cry
I confess I do my best
I openly admit that I put in the effort
To show them I'm the guy I weigh a smile
To demonstrate to others that I am a strong and happy person, I wear a smile
But only while when I'm alone I cry
However, only when I am by myself, I allow my true emotions to surface and cry
Pretending I don't miss her
Acting as if I don't long for her presence
It's all, it's all that's left to do
It's the only option I have in order to cope with her absence
Somehow I'm sure she'll come back no more
I have a strong feeling that she won't return again
The rest is up to you dear
The outcome is now in your hands, my beloved
Smile my heart and play the part
Let my heart put on a smile and pretend to be happy
Though deep inside we know
Despite knowing deep within ourselves
It's all a game but just the same
Everything is a charade, but nonetheless
The truth must never show
The reality of our pain should never be revealed
On you I rely my heart you know why
I depend on you, my heart, because you understand why
When I'm alone I, I cry
When I am in solitude, that's when I allow myself to shed tears
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MORRIS BROADNAX, FREDERICKA FORMAN, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind