Marvin Gaye

Close my eyes late at night, wonderin’ where I would be without you in my life-
How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you)

Marvin Gay Pentz Jr, was the son of a an Apostolic minister, grew up in the church, the music there one of emotional expression of love.  His career content was love, spiritual, carnal, and familial. Recently, he was joined in the afterlife by his first secular producer Bo Diddley, who guided his first group to record for Chess as the Marquees, before changing their name to The Moonglows.

The Moonglows were then produced by singer Harvey Fuqua, who moved to Detroit and Marvin followed, finding his creative home at Motown and his first marriage to Berry Gordy’s sister Anna.  First a drummer and background vocalist, he became a solo act in 1961.  His first hit “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” grabbed the r & b world’s attention and cast him as the leading man, romancing the dance floor with swagger,  even as he continued to develop as a writer,   He co-wrote “Dancing in the Streets” for Martha and the Vandellas, and played drums for the young blind harmonica playing genius we would come to know to be Stevie Wonder.  He was first in the studio with I Heard it Through the Grapevine, and even with it being a hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips, he released a version that is one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Marvin Gaye was the interpreter of love, it’s feelings and confusions for a generation.  His sweet Casanova style energized the songs.  We all know How Sweet It Is ( To Be Loved By You), and many of us loved the Junior Walker and the All-stars version.  But do you remember the lyrics were written by James Taylor (“Fire and Rain”).

how sweet it is to be loved by you

Marvin built on the success of his hit with the new Motown sophistication. And with the empowerment of black pride that swelled from the pavement and reached the penthouse.  Marvin was one of the first sexy black men with an Afro, never seen on stage with his hair processed.  As Motown’s best selling male vocalist, he topped the charts twice in a row, once with 'I'll Be Doggone' and then with 'Ain't That Peculiar'.  Calming his Cassonova status, he sang to and with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, and ultimately with the love of his life, Tami Terrell.  Singing songs written by another loving couple, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, they inspired so many men and women to celebrate their love and stick through the hard times.  Tammi Terrell collapsed on stage in Marvin’s arms.

ain’t no mountain

Marvin continued to bang out hit after hit, When Tami died in 1970, he went into seclusion for almost a year.  He spent that time writing from yet another love, his love for his brothers and sisters.  What’s Goin On was originally thought to be too extra, extra for Motown, but upon its release, it became his best selling album.

what’s goin on slides

As his brothers and sisters grappled with the struggles of the 70”s Marvin became our voice, not just for our political and social battles, but our shared concern about the world as evidenced in “Mercy Mercy Me”  He also gave voice to our frustration.  “Make me wanna holla, throw up both my hands… “

inner city blues

Both Stevie and Smokey say What’s Goin On is their favorite album of all time.  But Marvin wasn’t through, by any means.  He scored the theme for the movie Trouble Man, penning the lyric that still sends chills up many spines: “ only three things are for sure, taxes, death, and trouble.”

And trouble was for sure: his marriage collapsed, replaced by a well documented love for “ that white girl” as they used to call cocaine.  Marivn had been holding back some feelings for so long, he let them surface in “Let’s Get it On.”

let’s get it on  live

For sure, it was a dark time for Marvin, he recorded a concept album, “Here my Dear” with all the royalties going to Anna.  He split for Europe with the IRS on his back, ended up beefing with Motown over “In My Lifetime” and eventually left, then landed at  Columbia.  Everyone heard reports of his sickness, but he found at least a temporary cure, making love and singing.

sexual healing

And the distant lover found his groove with Got To Give it Up

Who knew that he had recorded the family party starter of all time.  I remember running as a child to get my place in line, and seeing my aunts, uncles and anybody else at the cook out dance down the soul train line.    And from six to 60, you know there was no hatin’ when you heard that bass line with cowbell, you had to join the dance.  To this day, hear that tune and you can pretty much bet there is black family partying somewhere near by.

got to give it up family style

And Marvin Gaye’s influence clearly still clings to us.  In his hometown of Washington DC, Raheem DeVaughn has been anointed by many as the Marvin of his time. Maybe his ability to delight and his  demons are genetic, as his nephew Donnie  has sung and self destructed in ways far too reminiscent.  Marvin sang to us and for us.  He sang to women, no doubt.  He sang to us, man to man.   He sang to our families, He sang about love, never once sounding or feeling wimpy or soft. Even when he had the blues, he sang with manly pride and courage. 

Donnie - If I Were You (Music Video)

grapevine acapella

VeTalle Fusilier is a producer and writer based in Washington, DC. It's pronounced VEE-tal few-suh-LEER.