“Here, My Dear” is the opening song to (and title track of) the album I consider to be Marvin Gaye’s greatest. This isn’t the popular opinion. Hell, there are a lot of folks who don’t even know Here, My Dear exists. After all, it sold poorly upon release and generated no hit singles despite following… Read More “Here, My Dear” by Marvin Gaye (1978)
OK, I’m going to say this now and not bring it up again. The lawsuit the Gaye family brought (and won) against Pharrell and Robin Thicke for “Blurred Lines” is ridiculous. Yes, “Blurred Lines” was clearly inspired by “Got To Give It Up”. But the two songs aren’t the same. The melody lines are different,… Read More “Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1)” by Marvin Gaye (1977)
Some songs are so iconic that I can’t think of anything to say other than “this is a fucking awesome record.” Martha & The Vandellas’ call-to-party “Dancing In The Street” is one such song. OK OK, I’ll say one other thing. “Dancing In The Street” is pure joy on 7” of vinyl. That’s it. One… Read More “Dancing In The Street” by Martha & The Vandellas (1964)
Jermaine Jackson is a head case, for sure. But I totally get the fact that he has older brother “I taught them everything I know” syndrome, even if I don’t think it’s true. I mean, how would you feel if your younger siblings were two of the most beloved entertainers in history and you were…well, not… Read More “Castles Of Sand” by Jermaine Jackson (1978)
Simply sung sentiment, sounding sweet. More proof that you don’t need bells, flash, whistles or tricks to make a great song. Just a soulful voice, potent lyrics, and a chilled out groove. From the king of no bells, flash, whistles or tricks. “Can’t Get Over You” would have made Beverly’s benefactor, Marvin Gaye, very proud.
Enough of this singin’…let’s make luuuuuuuv! This line, delivered (uttered? mumbled?) by Ron Isley 2/3 of the way into “Between The Sheets,” sums up the purpose of this song without the extra five minutes and thirty-five seconds attached to that line. But you NEED that extra five minutes and thirty-five seconds. Recorded as a response to… Read More “Between The Sheets” by The Isley Brothers (1983)
I’ve talked myself into bumping this song up a star, as it’s one of the best vocal group songs from the early ‘70s . It bridged the gap between doo-wop and the smooth Philly soul of Thom Bell (The Stylistics). There have been several amazing cover versions of “The Bells”, but I’m going to go with the… Read More “The Bells” by The Originals (1970)
Another great song that has two definitive versions, IMO. Also, here are the first two entities that have two songs each on this list. “Real Thing” has been bastardized a bit by being overused in commercials. It’s a testament to Nick, Val, Marvin and Tammi that the overexposure hasn’t lessened its classic status. To me,… Read More “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1968), The Jackson Five (1972)
Motown was well known for having several of its artists record the same songs, often in dramatically different versions. Ashford and Simpson’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” was the beneficiary of superlative treatments by both Berry’s queen and his dashing prince (joined in song by a tragic princess.) Miss Ross was omnipresent at the start of the… Read More “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1967)/Diana Ross (1970)
Marvin Gaye was a master of seduction. “After The Dance” sounds like the smoothest come-on ever. Add in Leon Ware’s sumptuous groove and Marvin’s typically sublime background vocal arrangement (wall to wall Marvins!) and the result is one of the standouts on 1976′s I Want You album. The entire album describes Marvin’s courtship of Janis Hunter, who… Read More “After The Dance” by Marvin Gaye (1976)
Five Star Jamz 