Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was an American soul singer, songwriter and producer, born in Washington, D.C. in 1939. Known as the Prince of Soul, he helped shape the sound of Motown and then redrew the limits of what a soul record could say.

Motown beginnings

He signed to Motown’s Tamla label in 1961 and played session drums for label acts before his own hits arrived. “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)”, “Ain’t That Peculiar” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968), Motown’s best-selling single of the decade, made him a star. He drummed early on for a young Stevie Wonder.

What’s Going On

His 1971 album What’s Going On, a socially conscious concept record, became one of the most acclaimed albums ever made. By breaking from Motown’s production system to make it, he opened a door that artists like Stevie Wonder walked through too.

Let’s Get It On and beyond

Let’s Get It On (1973) and I Want You (1976), with “Got to Give It Up”, deepened his reach into sensual soul. After leaving Motown for Columbia, “Sexual Healing” (1982) became a comeback hit and won his first Grammys.

Legacy

He stands among soul royalty alongside Aretha Franklin, and modern artists such as The Weeknd cite him as a blueprint. He died in 1984 at the age of 44, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Most loved songs

A spread across the catalogue. Each title opens through the in-site player.

From a tender ballad to a protest anthem, the odds are good a Marvin Gaye song has stayed with you. Type the line you remember into the search box above and you may find it leads back to him.