Marvin gaye top 20 songs
How Sweet It Is: The Incomparable Soul Of Marvin Gaye
His career was slash cruelly short, but Marvin Gaye remains the Prince of Motown, and our our playlist celebrates a legacy that remains as influential as ever.
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Lyric Video)
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The soulful genius behind staples such as “What’s Going On,” “Got To Give It Up,” and “How Adorable It Is (To Be Loved By You)” was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C.. He created enough classic recordings to fill many such lists, but this one has to initiate with the number that was named The Nation’s Favorite Motown Song in a UK TV unique in 2014, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” A week never passes in which the classic tones of this 1968 smashfrom the Grammy Hall of Fame does not pop up in one cultural context or another, and it remains one of Marvin’s absolute signature releases.
“Got To Give It Up” is the 1977 hit, No.1 on the US R&B chart for five weeks, that returned to the news as the inspiration for Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” Gaye’s single almost effortlessly took his smooth and passionate tones onto the disco dancefloor. From the preliminary years
Marvin Gaye's 15 greatest songs, ranked
'How Sweet It Is’ (To Be Loved By You)'
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Marvin Gaye's second superior ten hit under Motown was written by the label's songwriters Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland.
Riffing off the "how sweet it is!" catchphrase of television's biggest stars in Jackie Gleason, 'How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You' established Gaye as a standalone talent.
One of Gaye's most saccharine songs, James Taylor recorded his control sugary rendition a decade later with his then-wife Carly Simon, bagging himself a top five strike in the US.
Oddly, Marvin also released a German-language version of the anthem entitled 'Wie Schön Das Ist'.
'It Takes Two' with Kim Weston
By 1966, Marvin was on his way to becoming a domesticated name thanks to his series of hits on Motown.
However, he wasn't at all known overseas, which all changed with the release of the duet 'It Takes Two' with Kim Weston, which was written by her then-husband William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Sylvia Moy.
The soulful ditty made the highest 20 of both the UK and
Marvin Gaye’s 30 Top Songs on the Billboard Hot 100
On April 1, 1984, Marvin Gaye was killed, shot dead by his father Marvin Gay, Sr. in his Los Angeles abode. Gaye was one of Motown’s most soulful and socially aware artists, standing tall amongst peers and label mates like Stevie Wonder by igniting spirits with politically charged cuts like “What’s Going On” and equally providing heat for intimate times with songs like “Let’s Receive It On.”
Unlike some of his Motown label mates, Marvin Gaye was not only a nuanced, soulful vocalist, but an veteran songwriter, capable of crafting beautiful, meditative ballads as well as thumping sway floor numbers. His impact continues to be felt in R&B, hip-hop, rock and dance music decades after his death. Gaye was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his indelible impact on popular tune and culture.
To celebrate his life, stellar output and the time he’s been away, here are his 30 top songs on the Hot 100 singles chart. Revisit Marvin’s classic and maybe (re)discover a forgotten gem.
This ranking is based on weekly show on the Hot 100 (from its inception on Aug. 4
Unveiling Marvin Gaye’s Most Widespread Songs
“Ain’t No Mountain Upper Enough”
Marvin Gaye’s Timeless Tale of Unwavering Love
Originally penned by the songwriting duo of Ashford & Simpson, “Ain’t No Mountain Sky-high Enough” first found victory in 1967 as a duet between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. The song’s infectious energy and soaring vocals cemented its status as a Motown classic. With its themes of unwavering love and triumph over adversity, it gained renewed popularity in 1970 with Diana Ross‘ soulful solo rendition.
Musically, the track is a research in contrasts. Lush orchestration and a driving rhythm section build a strong sonic foundation. Gaye and Terrell’s (and later Ross’s) passionate vocals rise above this backdrop, conveying the song’s message with both vulnerability and strength. The call-and-response sections and the unforgettable chorus create an anthem-like quality that has resonated with audiences across generations.
Beyond its musical brilliance, “Ain’t No Mountain Lofty Enough” is an enduring symbol of hope and perseverance. Its messa
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