Marvin Gaye: The Prince of Motown & Soul
Marvin Gaye was a drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer who helped define the sound of Motown in the 1960s and 1970s. His influence on soul music is monumental, with a legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists and musicians.
Born in Washington, D.C., Marvin endured a difficult childhood under the strict and abusive rule of his deeply religious father. In the midst of this turmoil, he found solace singing in church, laying the foundation for his future in music. At 17, he briefly joined the army to escape home life, only to fake mental illness and return to music, this time with the vocal group The Marquees. After a failed single and a few years working as session singers, the group dissolved.
Marvin moved to Detroit, this time taking up the drums. He began playing gigs and recording in the studio, which led to an impromptu performance at a Motown house party hosted by Berry Gordy. Impressed, Gordy signed Marvin to Motown as both a drummer and singer.
In 1961, Gaye released his debut album The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye, featuring jazz standards like My Funny Valentine and How High the Moon. His first significant single came in 1963 with Can I Get a Witness, from his ironic “greatest hits” collection, despite not yet having many hits.
Things changed quickly. In 1964, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) became a major hit. Over the next few years, Gaye teamed up for iconic duets like It Takes Two (1965, with Kim Weston) and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1967, with Tammi Terrell). More hits followed with Terrell: Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing and You’re All I Need to Get By (both 1968). That same year, Marvin released I Heard It Through the Grapevine, which became his signature song and a global smash.
Marvin Gaye in the 70s and 80s
In the 1970s, Marvin took creative control, writing and producing songs with deeper themes. The album What’s Going On (1971) remains a landmark in music history, blending social commentary with lush arrangements. The title track and Mercy Mercy Me exemplified his new artistic direction.
Let’s Get It On (1973) followed, further cementing Gaye’s superstar status. In 1977, he released Got to Give It Up, later at the centre of a high-profile lawsuit when Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s Blurred Lines borrowed heavily from it.
In 1982, Marvin released Sexual Healing, his final classic before his untimely death in 1984, when he was shot by his own father. The song was later covered by Ben Harper, who credited it with boosting his career.
Marvin Gaye’s songs have been covered by countless artists including Seal, Luther Vandross, Phil Collins, John Legend, Donny Hathaway, Diana Ross, U2, and many more. His influence is also deeply felt in the repertoires of working function bands — Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Let’s Get It On, Heard It Through the Grapevine, and Sexual Healing remain must-know tunes for any gigging guitarist.
Whether you’re learning to play, perform, or write songs, Marvin Gaye’s catalogue offers a masterclass in timeless soul and songwriting craft.
Marvin Gaye Tunes | Related Pages
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye using chords, chord analysis, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Bm7/A | G#m7b5 | Gmaj7 | Em9 |
Ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough, baby…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Can I Get A Witness | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Can I Get A Witness by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, TAB, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Eb Ab | Db Ab | Eb Ab | Db Ab |
Ah listen, everybody, especially you girls…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Can I Get A Witness – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| F | Dm7 G7 | C C6 | C (C7) |
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes baby, oh, oh, oh, oh…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (Marvin Gaye) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, backing track, a chord chart, and video guitar lessons.
| Ebm | Ebm | Bb Ab | Ab6 Ab |
I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew, ’bout your plans to make me blue…
Start learning with the full lesson series: I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
It Takes Two | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play It Takes Two by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Eb | Eb E | F | F N.C |
It takes two, baby, it takes two, baby…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: It Takes Two – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Let’s Get It On | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Eb Eb/G | Eb/Ab Abmaj7 Bb9 | Eb Gm7 | Abmaj7 Eb/Ab Bb11 |
I’ve been really tryin’, baby. Tryin’ to hold back this feeling for so long…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Let’s Get It On – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Mercy Mercy Me | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Emaj7 (Emaj9) | Emaj9 Emaj7 |
Woah, oh, mercy, mercy me…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
My Funny Valentine | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play My Funny Valentine by Chet Baker using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, the original recording, a chord chart, and cover versions.
| Cm | Cmmaj7 | Cm7 | Cm6 |
My funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: My Funny Valentine (the Real Book) Guitar Lesson with TAB and chord analysis.
What’s Going On | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Emaj9 | Emaj9 | C#m7 | C#m7 |
Mother, mother. There’s too many of you crying…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
You’re All I Need To Get By | Chords + + TAB
You can learn how to play You’re All I Need To Get By by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A | B/A |
(You’re all I need to get by) Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: You’re All I Need To Get By (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Marvin Gaye on the web
