Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 2 weeks) & R&B (#1 for 6 weeks); 1973

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

With Marvin Gaye the line between sex on the one hand, and love on the other was always a vague one. In his early days, Marvin was content to toe the establishment line and present his desire in a non-threatening way.

He sang to his wonderful one and gushed about how sweet it was to be loved by her. But as the sexual revolution loosened mores, Marvin took off his tie and followed suit.

After his brilliant commentary on society in What’s Going On, Marvin got back to ladies business. For his writing partner he chose Ed Townsend, who’d had a hit of his own called For Your Love when Gaye was only 19.

Although Townsend’s contribution to Let’s Get It On came out of his experience of getting on with life in the aftermath of alcohol addiction, Gaye’s input was more carnal in nature.

In the end, Marvin’s moves were the ones that got the attention, especially that of the women, who swooned all over him and the song.

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:

• Marvin Gaye
• Ed Townsend

Lyrics Written by:

• Marvin Gaye
• Ed Townsend