Got to Give It Up

Marvin Gaye

About Got to Give It Up

"Got to Give It Up" is a song by American music artist Marvin Gaye. Written by the singer and produced by Art Stewart as a response to a request from Gaye's record label that he perform disco music, it was released in March of 1977. Upon its release, it topped three different Billboard charts and also became a worldwide success. Gaye sometimes used the song to open up his live concert shows. The song has been covered by several acts.


Year:
1999
3:39

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

I used to go out to parties
And stand around
'Cause I was too nervous
To really get down

But my body yearned to be free
I got up on the floor and found
Someone to choose me

No more standin'
Up beside the walls
Now I've got myself together, baby
Now I'm havin' a ball
Long as your groovin'
There's always a chance
Somebody watches
Might wanna make romance

Move your body, ooo baby, you dance all night
To the groove and feel all right
Everybody's groovin' on like a fool
But if you see me, top down, let me in
Baby just party high and low
Let me step into your erotic zone

Move it up
Turn it 'round
Ooh shake it down (ooh baby)
Owwww

You can love me when you want to babe
This is such a groovy party baby
We're here face to face
Everybody's swingin'
This is such a groovy place
All the young ladies are so fine!
You're movin your body easy with no doubts
I know what you thinkin' baby
You wanna turn me out
Think I'm gonna let you do it babe

Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
You baby
Got to give it up
Keep on dancin'
Got to give it up

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned more than two decades. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he was the son of a storefront minister of a local Pentecostal church sect and grew up singing gospel in church revivals as a young child. Gaye branched out into secular music as a teenager, joining the doo-wop group The Marquees, after returning from an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, before the group was hired by Harvey Fuqua to be Harvey & The Moonglows. Following the band's separation in 1960, Gaye began working as a session drummer for the Detroit music label, Anna, before signing with Motown Records in 1961, adding an "e" to his s… more »

8 fans

Written by: Marvin P Gaye

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Recording History
"Got to Give It Up" was initially a song titled "Dancing Lady," performed during Marvin Gaye's live concerts. The studio version wasn't made until 1976.
Album Inclusion
Despite being recorded in a live setting, "Got to Give It Up" was debuted in Gaye's first-ever live album, "Live at the London Palladium," in 1977.
Chart Performance
The song was an enormous hit in multiple countries. In the United States, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and held that spot for a week. It also topped the R&B Singles chart for five weeks.
Motivation for Writing
Gaye reportedly composed the song as a response to a demand from his label for a disco record. Despite his initial reluctance, the song eventually became one of the biggest hits of his career.
Song Structure
The song is unique in structure. It runs for nearly 12 minutes, split into two parts. The second part is an instrumental continuation of the first, something that was unusual for pop songs of the time.
Song Content
Marvin Gaye played multiple instruments in the recording of this song, including keyboards and percussion. The sounds of the crowd whooped and cheered throughout the song, adding to its atmosphere of being recorded live at a party.
Influence on Other Artists
"Got to Give It Up" has influenced several other artists and songs. A noteworthy example is Robin Thicke’s 2013 hit song "Blurred Lines," which was accused of copying the sound of Gaye's song. Thicke and Pharrell Williams were taken to court by the Gaye estate and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in damages in 2018.
Song Legacy
Even after decades since its release, the song is frequently played in various venues and is recurrently used in commercials and films. It was covered by several artists like Aaliyah and The Bar-Kays.
Accolades
In 2020, "Got to Give It Up" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Personal Struggles
Despite the song's success and upbeat vibe, Gaye was battling several personal challenges during this period, including tax issues and substance abuse. Still, the success of the song helped him regain some financial stability.

Discuss the Got to Give It Up Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Got to Give It Up Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3597732/Marvin+Gaye/Got+to+Give+It+Up>.

    Missing lyrics by Marvin Gaye?

    Know any other songs by Marvin Gaye? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Got to Give It Up

    14.5M
    125K     11,395

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Baby, be the class clown, I'll be the beauty queen in tears" was written by which musical artist?
    A Melanie Martinez
    B Lana Del Rey
    C Lorde
    D Mariana

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Marvin Gaye tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!