People who know me musically will say that i am first and foremost a Motown baby. I owe my musical self to Motown. I grew up listening to hits from The Supremes, The Temptations courtesy of my dad. As i grew older, i started to listen to other solid acts from that period - the 50's to the 70's but from other labels. The likes of the O'Jays, The Manhattans, The Bluebelles (where Patti Labelle started off) got constant play. These acts were my introduction to music and even though i listen to everything under the sun now, i still have a very special place in my heart for the Motown acts (when i use this term, it includes acts not on that label but again from the same era).
Marvin Gaye - Sheer genius. This song is one of 3(i think) songs from him that will feature on this series. I chose to feature Let's get on first because its my favorite Marvin Gaye song. There is something sooooo sensual about this song that makes me want to close my eyes and sway from side to side with my hands in my hair. I tell you music is a powerful thing.
This song is from an album of the same name and was Marvin's most successful album with Motown and was released in the early 70's. Wow. Its been that long? Another sign of a good song is timelessness.
Anyway, there are so many many back stories to this song and to Marvin so let me list what i can remember:
- This song was originally recorded as a religious/political number. However, the co-writer of the song protested and so Marvin and some other songwriter went back to the drawing board
- Marvin was married to Berry Gordy's (CEO/Owner of the Motown label) relative. I am not sure exactly what the connection is but her name - Anna Gordy
- Eddie Murphy's character in DreamGirls is loosely based on Marvin Gaye
- This song topped a number of charts but has gone down in history as the most successful single ever released from the stables of Motown
- This song is all about being comfortable about sexuality and sexual liberation
- Marvin's marriage to Anne Gordy had ended and Marvin had a mad crush on the 17 year old daughter of one of his musicians. The story goes that she was in the recording studio when this version of this song was recorded. Marvin nailed this once. They moved in together and he went on to marry her about 4 years later
I could go on and on but i wont. LOL.....Fabulous song by an amazing writer who died way too young. Enjoy!
*Please press play on the player under the soundbyte sidebar to hear this song*
6 comments:
Wow.. nice background a hadn't heard a few of the stories.
It seems the connection between Gordy and Gaye is this, prior to getting his break, Marvin worked as a drummer at the hit factory. He played keyboard as well but he was more known as a drummer in the band. He had to beg to be given a chance to come of front and sing and many didn't believe he could make it.
He got his break soon after he started dating Anna Gordy (apparently).
And the world was allowed to hear his dulcet tones.
re: eddie Murphy's representation of Marvin in Dreamgirls.. I didn't like it at all, but that was due to Eddie murphy's smile.. lol I just kept expecting him to crack a delirious type joke.
Great choice Uzo.
If you're a musician and a Motown fan, the Commodores are offering the chance of a lifetime:
The contest, Land in the Band, challenges musicians to come up with their own creative version of a Commodores single. Download a track with your chosen instrument deleted from it, and record and upload your version using that instrument.
The winner will be flown to Florida to tour with the Commodores and will win thousands in cash and prizes!!
Check it out at www.landintheband.com
I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY DATE THAT WILL PLAY THIS SONG.
This has to be quite possibly my favouritest Marvin song. :-) Excellent choice!
lovely stuff uzo. u learn everyday. liked the linkage between marvin and the motown era
I loved the 'behind the music' info that accompanied this song ... I love this song and like set, I will definitely smile if a date plays it!
Post a Comment