Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1) – Marvin Gaye | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) & R&B (#1 for 5 weeks); 1977
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
After the massive success and critical acceptance of Marvin Gaye’s landmark What’s Going On in 1971, it seemed as if the world was his for the taking. Marvin followed it up with the movie soundtrack for Trouble Man, and then another R&B/Pop #1 in 1973, Let’s Get It On.
Unfortunately, Marvin’s demons and distractions moved his music into the background for three years until I Want You (#1 R&B, #15 Pop) put him back in the spotlight. A year later Marvin returned with his third live album in three years, this one recorded at the London Palladium.
Unfortunately, the on-stage material only filled up three of the needed four sides. So Marvin and studio engineer Art Stewart crafted a dance groove piece that Marvin unequivocally categorized as “funk;” Got To Give It Up. Their creation proved to be a winner, giving Marvin his twelfth R&B and third Pop chart topper.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Art Stewart
Lyrics Written by:
- Marvin Gaye
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).