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.
You've Been A Long Time Coming
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But darlin', welcome home
You've been a long time coming
But darlin', welcome home
So many nights I've called your name
Not knowing if I'd see you again
You've been a long time coming
Feel, feel kinda, kinda, kinda good right now
Feel so good baby, yeah
You've been a long, real long time coming
But darlin', welcome home
You've been a long, long, long time coming
Oh, baby, welcome home
So many nights, I sit lookin' at the wall
Hoping, praying for your call
You've been a long, long time coming
But oh, baby, welcome home
Feel kinda good, so good right now
Feel so good, baby, yeah
Ha, feel so good having you home, baby
Yeah, yeah, ooh, don't ever leave me
The lyrics in Marvin Gaye's song "You've Been A Long Time Coming" speak to the emotions of a person who has been waiting for a loved one for a long time. The song starts with the chorus that repeats the lines, "You've been a long time coming, but darlin', welcome home." This line suggests that the waiting for the person has been difficult and long, but the wait is over, and they can now reunite.
The next verse speaks to the loneliness and uncertainty that the person felt while waiting. The singer sings, "So many nights I've called your name, not knowing if I'd see you again." This line indicates that the person was unsure if they would be reunited with their loved one at all.
The song also has a positive tone as the singer expresses their joy and gratitude for the reunion. The lines, "Feel, feel kinda, kinda, kinda good right now, feel so good baby, yeah," showcase the happiness that the person experiences upon the return of their loved one.
In conclusion, Marvin Gaye's "You've Been A Long Time Coming" is a song that speaks to the emotions of someone who has waited a long time for a loved one. Despite the difficulties and uncertainties of waiting, the song has a positive and joyful tone that celebrates the reunion.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been a long time coming
I have waited for you for so long
But darlin', welcome home
I am glad that you are finally here with me
So many nights I've called your name
I have missed you so much that I would call out for you
Not knowing if I'd see you again
I was uncertain if I would ever be reunited with you
But, oh, baby, welcome home
I am thrilled that we are finally reunited
Feel, feel kinda, kinda, kinda good right now
I am feeling a sense of euphoria now that you are here
Feel so good baby, yeah
I am so happy that you are here with me
You've been a long, real long time coming
I have waited for what seems like an eternity for you to return
So many nights, I sit lookin' at the wall
I would often sit, staring at the wall, thinking of you
Hoping, praying for your call
I would pray and hope that you would contact me
Ha, feel so good having you home, baby
I am relishing in the joy of having you finally back home
Yeah, yeah, ooh, don't ever leave me
I never want to be separated from you again, my love
You've been a long, long, long time coming
I have missed you for an extensive period of time
Oh, baby, welcome home
I am so happy that you are finally home with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind