Best marvin gaye songs
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 house. 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 Fetch 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 boogie 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 song 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 recital on the Hot 100 (from its inception on Aug. 4
Marvin Gaye's 15 greatest songs, ranked
'How Lovely It Is’ (To Be Loved By You)'
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Marvin Gaye's second uppermost ten hit under Motown was written by the label's songwriters Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland.
Riffing off the "how kind it is!" catchphrase of television's biggest stars in Jackie Gleason, 'How Adorable It Is To Be Loved By You' established Gaye as a standalone talent.
One of Gaye's most saccharine songs, James Taylor recorded his own sugary rendition a decade later with his then-wife Carly Simon, bagging himself a top five knock 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 household entitle thanks to his series of hits on Motown.
However, he wasn't at all known overseas, which all changed with the free 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 top 20 of both the UK and
Unveiling Marvin Gaye’s Most Popular Songs
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
Marvin Gaye’s Timeless Tale of Constant Love
Originally penned by the songwriting duo of Ashford & Simpson, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” first found success 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 examine in contrasts. Lush orchestration and a driving rhythm section create a powerful sonic foundation. Gaye and Terrell’s (and later Ross’s) passionate vocals rise above this backdrop, conveying the song’s communication with both vulnerability and energy. 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 Steep Enough” is an enduring symbol of hope and perseverance. Its messa
Updating his highly percussive but string-laden groove for the disco set, Gaye clearly devised 1976’s I Want You as a makeout album. But the space-age synthesisers in the instrumental version of “After the Dance” rocket him linear into the stratosphere. And the Afro-Caribbean congas of “I Want You” and bossa nova lilt of “Since I Had You” aid a mix of rhythm and beauty that refuses to box itself in—punctuated by Gaye’s have murmuring, the sound flows like a sweet, seductive stream.
What do you act for an encore after you’ve just released a certified, game-changing masterpiece? That was the question facing Motown maestro Marvin Gaye after his What’s Going On opus was released in 1971. After 1972’s Trouble Man soundtrack, Let’s Get It On was the proper follow-up to one of the greatest albums of all time. But instead of suffering a seemingly inevitable letdown under the weight of all that pressure, Gaye levelled up again to make back-to-back classics. Indeed, Let’s Gain It On defined the R&B framework album every bit as much as What’s Going On did, trading social consciousness for sexual healing in turbulent, soul-testing times. It was a diverse kind of wokeness—ra