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.

When I Fall in Love
Marvin Gaye Lyrics

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When I fall in love it will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love has ended before it's begun
Too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I'll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel
That you feel that way too
Is when I'll fall in love
That's when I'll fall in love
Baby, I'll fall in love
That's when I'll fall in love with you

And the moment I can feel
That you feel that way too
That's when I'll fall in lovе with you
Baby, that's when I'll fall in love
That's when I'll fall in lovе

Baby, That's when I'll fall in love
That's when I'll fall in love with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's song "When I Fall In Love" explore the idea of true and eternal love. The song begins with the assertion that when the singer falls in love, it will be a lasting and enduring love. He states that if he cannot find a love that will last forever, then he will never fall in love at all. This conveys the singer's desire for a deep, meaningful connection that will withstand the challenges of a restless and uncertain world.

The lyrics go on to reflect on the transience of love in the world around them. The singer observes that love often ends before it even has a chance to fully develop, comparing it to moonlight kisses that cool when exposed to the warmth of the sun. This imagery suggests that love can be fleeting and easily overshadowed by external forces. The lyrics capture a sense of caution and weariness, acknowledging that love can be fragile and prone to fading away.

However, amidst this uncertainty, the singer holds onto the hope of finding a love that is genuine and reciprocated. They describe that when they can sense that the other person feels the same way about them, that is the moment when they will truly fall in love. This reveals a longing for a mutual and deep connection, where both individuals are equally invested in the relationship. It suggests that the singer is looking for a love that is not one-sided or unrequited but rather a love that is truly shared.

The repetitions of the final lines emphasize the significance of that shared feeling. The singer proclaims that when they can feel the other person reciprocating their love, that is when they will fall in love with them. The repetition of "Baby, that's when I'll fall in love" reinforces the idea that true love requires the acknowledgment and affection of both parties involved. It is only when this connection is established that the singer believes they can truly surrender their heart and fully embrace love.

Overall, Marvin Gaye's "When I Fall In Love" explores the notions of eternal love, the fleetingness of relationships, and the importance of reciprocal feelings in the experience of falling in love. The lyrics convey a desire for deep connection and authenticity, capturing the vulnerability and hopeful search for lasting love in a world that often seems transient and fragile.

When I Fall in LoveMarvin Gaye Lyrics

When I Fall in Love
Marvin Gaye Lyrics