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15 Most Popular Marvin Gaye Songs

Born in 1939 and dying in 1984, Marvin Gaye was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. Known for his very iconic songs, Marvin Gaye will always be remembered and held in very high regard. He singlehandedly helped to shape the sound of Motown records in the 60s. This was by him first being an in-house session player and later becoming a solo artist who achieved so many successes that earned him nicknames like, ‘Prince of Motown’ and ‘Prince of Soul.’ Additionally, he did duets with other iconic singers in the industry at the time like Diana Ross, Tammi Terrell, Kim Westin, and Mary Wells. He also recorded major albums like ‘What’s Going On’ and ‘Lets’s Get In On.’ He went on to become the first artist in Motown to break away from a production company and become independent. He paved the way for other musicians who did not want to be tied down to a production company and all its politics. He is regarded as one of the most talented RnB singers to ever have existed also. Among others. Here are some of the most popular songs that were done by Marvin Gaye.

1. Let’s Get It On- Release Year:1973

Released in 1973, this is one of the most celebrated Marvin Gaye songs. The very chilled soul vibe it has to it is sure to make your mind just relax. Given how Gaye had a gift for turning everything he touches into a masterpiece. This song is no exception. He did well with this one. It topped the charts for weeks and given how it has never grown old, then it goes to show what a marvellous job he did with this one.

2. Sexual Healing- Released Year: 1982

Sexual Healing is probably one of the most known Marvin Gaye songs throughout the world. Its very unique and iconic beats blew the minds of everyone the moment it was released. This is evident in the way even modern songs today still use a sample to this song’s rhythm and beats. Most importantly, Marvin got out of the comfort zone of the music scene at the time and did something that had yet to be seen before. His ability to talk about sexual attraction in such a candid way in a very put-together song is something that had not been seen before. The song never grows old and I do hope it never does.

3. Mercy, Mercy Me- Release Year: 1971

From his ‘What’s going on’ album, this song sure took the industry by storm For any blues and soul lover, the way this song has been organized into such a rhythmic melody is very much commendable. Released in 1971, it is a song that one always goes to when you just want to have a lazy afternoon listening to soft blues and soul. No wonder Marvin Gaye was such an icon.

4. What’s Going On- Release Year: 1971

Not only is this a beautiful song but also a very powerful one. Its message is quite deep and still resonates to date due to the many societal challenges we are still facing. Released in 1971, Marvin chose to preach peace and unity among people with this song. At a time there were so many cases of brutality even leading to the formation of movements like Black Panther, Marvin did well with this song. It was something that was  not so common hence why the song also got a lot of recognition

5. Inner City Blues- Release Year: 1971

Inner City Blues makes you appreciate how smooth R&B and soul music can really get. How easily carried away you can get. Released in 1971, this masterpiece is amazing. Many artists have copied this style of genre thus going to show how good it must have been for it to be emulated and incorporated even in today’s blues and soul music.

6. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough- Release Year: 1967

Done together with Tammi Terrell, this is another song that never grows old. Starting with the playful funk vibe it has, it is the kind of song to make you dance and move a bit to the rhythm of its beats. Also, the harmony is just amazing. The song still continues to entertain us and that is quite an achievement.

7. Got to Give it Up- Release Year: 1977

This song has such a danceable and playful vibe that will definitely impress you the moment you listen to it. It was a song that would be played at typical house parties and get-togethers aimed at just wanting to lift people’s moods up. Released in 1977, it is still such a song that makes anyone who loves the oldies happy.

8. You’re All I Need to Get By- Release Year: 1968

Another song that he dueted with Tammi Terrel, this song is another well-crafted masterpiece. They managed to kill the vocals and do such a beautiful with the harmony and duet. Released in 1968, it is a song that is loved by any blues and soul lover and furthermore,  it never grows old. But then again, any song Marvin Gaye touched was always a masterpiece.

9. I Heard it Through the  Grapevine- Release Year: 1968

Released in 1968, this song did manage to top the billboard charts and further put Marvin Gaye on the map of the music industry. What is even more interesting is the storytelling method he adopted into the song. The occasional screams he also incorporated in the song will make you appreciate what amazing vocals Marvin Gaye really has. The narration he has included in the song makes it even more interesting. The kind of song you want to hear till the end just to know what happens at the end.

10. How Sweet It Is- Release Year: 1965

Having adopted the soul-blues genre, this song resonates so well with anyone who finds this type of music soothing and relaxing. Released in 1965, the song managed to top the music industry of the 60s and make a great impact on the black community in terms of black artists who were trying to get visibility. It is indeed a sweet song.

11. Distant Lover- Release Year: 1973

Distant Lover is the kind of song that makes you want to dance slowly to the beats and melody and just never stop. This very soothing song released in 1973 still managed to be toping song even in the 80s.  The slow hum and ad-libs that Marvin did so well set it apart into the kind of music that you can easily find heavenly.

12. I Want You- Release Year: 1976

By 1976, Marvin was at the peak of his music career and this Prince of Soul sure managed to prove what that is his nickname with this song. ‘I Want You’  was a masterpiece to be honest. The soothing rhythm and also managing to mash up a bit of soft rock into it really give the song a spicy edge. To date, the song remains to be a masterpiece and it can never grow old.

13. Just to Keep you Satisfied- Release Year: 1973

The fact that Marvin managed to give this song an orchestra and opera kind of feeling, is what makes this song just so amazing. Released in 1973, this is a song that remains to be looked at as the most iconic and beautiful song Marvin did in the 70s. Everything about it will make you feel like your soul is being addressed.

14. Can I Get a Witness- Release Year: 1964

This is song is a typical 60s twister kind of song. Marvin Gaye did very well with the song. It is the kind of song where you can’t help yourself but move about to the rhythm of its beats. Released in 1964, this is the kind of song that you would find playing in any gathering where the people want to move a little bit to the rhythm and melody of a song that will make you twist your legs and just have fun while dancing.

15. It Takes Two- Release Year: 1966

Having done this song with Kim Weston, it doesn’t come as a surprise therefore that this is another song that is just iconic and a masterpiece. Released in 1966, Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston did a splendid job with this song. They gave it life and even if they are talking about romance and life together with your loved one, it is still a song that just makes you want to dance without paying much attention to what is being said. It remains to be such a beautifully done song and anyone who loves the oldies surely has this song at the top of their list.

When all is said and done, Marvin Gaye was taken away from us too soon. Imagine the masterpieces he would have continued to make if he were still alive. May he continue to rest in peace.