1) Roger Troutman (Nove… Read Full Bio ↴The name "Roger" can refer to three artists:
1) Roger Troutman (November 29, 1951 - April 25, 1999) was the lead singer of the band Zapp. Born in Hamilton, Ohio Troutman was the fourth of nine children. Like his mentor [George] Clinton, who recorded for several labels at the same time under different monikers, Troutman recorded simultaneously as Roger, releasing albums and hit singles on Warner Bros.
Innovative funkster Roger Troutman is considered by many the master of the Talk box -- an effects pedal usually used by guitarists, that Roger connected to keyboard to create robotic-sounding vocals. As a member of Zapp, a band that included his brothers Larry, Lester, and Terry, and recording under the solo moniker of Roger, he helped define and give life to a difficult-to-play instrument that previously was used for gimmicky effects and, as played by others, was basically devoid of personality. He'd often bring his Talk Box along on radio interviews, treating the listeners to his skills.
On Sunday, April 25, 1999, Roger Troutman was found shot and critically wounded outside a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio; he died during surgery at a local hospital. Roger's brother Larry was found dead in a car a few blocks away with a single gunshot wound to the head. It is likely that a personal dispute had developed between the two brothers; as far as can be determined, Larry shot Roger, then shot himself.
2) Teemu Metsälä - Armed with an electro pop manifesto in his head, wandering the rain soaked streets of Manchester, looking for like minded musical souls proved to be something of a waste of time for Finland's Teemu Metsälä. Although much critical acclaim followed the limited single releases and various compilation appearances he put out under his Roger moniker between 2002-2003, it was eventually the humans that failed him rather than the machines. Not one to be naturally confounded by this he responded to his newly found independence by writing some glacial electronic pop songs. Easily surpassing his previous work they led to Roger appearing at the ISEA and Carling Reading/Leeds music festivals during the summer of 2004.
3) Roger from the well known german Hip Hop Combo "Blumentopf"
See also Røger, a UK funk band.
See also ROGER, a French beat-maker.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Roger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Grapevine)
Ooh, grapevine, ooh, grapevine
(Grapevine)
Ooh, grapevine, ooh, sho' 'nuff I need you
(Heard it through the grapevine)
Oh, yeah, I heard that you're gonna leave me, oh, I
I heard it through the grapevine, oh
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Somebody told me 'bout your plans to leave me
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine, oh, wow
(Wow)
Better you wondered how I knew 'bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between us guys you know I love you much more
It took me by surprise, I must say, when I found out yesterday, oh, Lord
I heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine
(Heard it through the grapevine, longer would you be mine)
Heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine
(Heard it through the grapevine, longer would you be mine)
Ooh, grapevine, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Don't leave me, girl, because I need your love so bad
I know a man ain't supposed to cry but these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see 'cause you mean that much to me
(Mmm, mmm, mmm)
You could have told me yourself that you love someone else
Heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine
(Heard it through the grapevine, longer would you be mine)
Heard it through the grapevine, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
(Heard it through the grapevine)
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Grapevine, I don't want nobody else, baby, I don't want nobody else
Don't you leave me, don't you leave me, don't you leave
Don't you leave me, no, don't leave me, don't do it, ooh, ooh, ooh
(Oh, I)
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(Please, don't tell your mama)
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(She'll start cryin')
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(Never try me, try me, baby)
How much longer, longer would you be mine?
How much longer, longer would you be mine?
How much longer, longer would you be mine?
(I need you, I need you so bad)
How much longer, longer would you be mine?
How much longer, longer would you be mine?
(Need your lovin', need your lovin', need your love, your love, your love)
I really want you, waitin' for your love, your love, your love, your love
Ooh
Heard it through the grapevine
(Said, I heard it, said I heard it, baby
Don't you leave me, don't you leave me now)
Heard it through the grapevine
(Said, I heard it through, heard it through, heard it through, tell me)
Mmm, hmm, your love, you know I want it
(Just a little bit of soul now)
Your love, your love, got to have it, your love
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(Baby, mama, baby)
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(I love you)
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
(Ooh, ooh)
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
The song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" tells the story of a broken relationship, in which the singer has heard through the grapevine (meaning via gossip or hearsay) that their lover is planning to leave them for someone else. The singer reveals that they found out from someone else, not from their partner, which adds to the feeling of betrayal. The chorus repeats the phrase "heard it through the grapevine" to reinforce the idea that this news was not communicated directly, but rather through gossip or rumors. The verses then delve into the singer's emotional response to the news, pleading with their partner not to leave and expressing their deep love for them. The song ultimately ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the singer still unsure of whether their partner will stay or go.
This song was originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966, and was recorded by a number of Motown artists before Marvin Gaye's famous version was released in 1968. The song was a massive hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the most successful singles of Gaye's career. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Creedence Clearwater Revival and Gladys Knight & The Pips, and has been featured in a number of films and TV shows.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, grapevine, ooh, grapevine
Expressing excitement about some grapevine
Ooh, grapevine, ooh, sho' 'nuff I need you
Expressing a desire for some grapevine
I heard that you're gonna leave me, oh, I
Heard a rumor that the person he loves is planning to leave him
Oh, yeah, I heard that you're gonna leave me, oh, I
Repeating his shock and disappointment at the rumored news
I heard it through the grapevine, oh
Reiterating that he heard the news through a rumor
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Repeating that he heard the news through a rumor, with emphasis
Somebody told me 'bout your plans to leave me
Referring to the person who told him the rumor about the planned departure
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine, oh, wow
Repeating his amazement at the revelation of the rumor
Better you wondered how I knew 'bout your plans to make me blue
Addressing the person he loves, asking if they're curious about how he found out about their plan to hurt him
With some other guy you knew before
Speculating (based on the rumor) that the person he loves is planning to leave him for another man
Between us guys you know I love you much more
Asserting his love for the person he loves, despite the rumor
It took me by surprise, I must say, when I found out yesterday, oh, Lord
Recounting the emotional shock upon hearing the rumor
Heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine
Repeating the rumor about the person he loves leaving him soon
(Heard it through the grapevine, longer would you be mine)
Repeating the rumor again, emphasizing what he stands to lose
Ooh, grapevine, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Returning to initial expression of desire for grapevine
Don't leave me, girl, because I need your love so bad
Pleading with the person he loves not to leave him, because he loves them desperately
I know a man ain't supposed to cry but these tears I can't hold inside
Acknowledging cultural norms of masculinity, but admitting to being deeply emotional about the situation
Losin' you would end my life you see 'cause you mean that much to me
Explaining that losing the person he loves would be emotionally catastrophic, because he loves them so much
You could have told me yourself that you love someone else
Expressing disappointment that the person he loves didn't tell him directly about their plan to leave him for someone else
Heard it through the grapevine, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Repeating the rumor, with emphasis on the young age of the person he loves
Grapevine, I don't want nobody else, baby, I don't want nobody else
Returning to desire for grapevine, but now expressing love for the person he loves
Don't you leave me, don't you leave me, don't you leave
Repeating his plea for the person he loves not to leave him
How much longer, darling, would you be mine?
Repeating the rumor, but now addressing the person he loves directly
(Please, don't tell your mama)
Asking the person he loves not to tell their mother about the situation
(She'll start cryin')
Speculating about the emotional reaction of the person he loves' mother
(Never try me, try me, baby)
Expressing his willingness to work through the situation and keep the love alive
(Need your lovin', need your lovin', need your love, your love, your love)
Repeating his need for the person he loves to stay with him, and his love for them
I really want you, waitin' for your love, your love, your love, your love
Expressing his strong desire for the love and companionship of the person he loves
Heard it through the grapevine
Recalling the rumor, and the emotional hardship it caused
(Said, I heard it, said I heard it, baby
Repeating the rumor, with emphasis on the emotional distress it caused him
Don't you leave me, don't you leave me now)
Repeating his plea for the person he loves not to leave him
(Said, I heard it through, heard it through, heard it through, tell me)
Continuing to repeat the rumor, with emphasis on the source
Your love, you know I want it
Expressing his intense desire for the love of the person he loves
(Just a little bit of soul now)
Expressing that all he needs is a little bit of emotional understanding from the person he loves
Your love, your love, got to have it, your love
Repeating his desire for the love of the person he loves
Oh, oh, oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Recalling the rumor one last time, with emphasis
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blacklotusmtg
If I hear 2 seconds of this, I know I'm doing nothing else for the next 11 mins. Too good!!!
@garymapal2941
Roger Troutman was a musical genius gone way too soon! Who else could turn a love song done by many legendary artists into such a funky version with the Pink Panther cartoon riff as a beat
@user-ju7ju3mx2f
IF YOU DON'T MOVE,
YOUR DEAD...
@joycewelcher9875
I love this music. No matter what! I might be getting old, but there isn't anything like this.
@sylviawilliams5913
There's nothing wrong with getting old. Music will always be young.🤣🤣🤣❣💞
@stevenwells7585
To notch
@cindymungia4268
I know that's so true amen thank God 🙏 he was around to get into others heart's and souls
@shakiraboo4751
Dance like nobody is watching 🎉
@daveschmidt7108
@@sylviawilliams5913
Music will always keep you young (at heart) 😀
@antonellobelmonte7153
RIP Roger Troutman: king of talkbox, master of funk, godfather of West Coast rap.