Little Darling (I Need You)

Marvin Gaye

About Little Darling (I Need You)

"Little Darling (I Need You)" is a 1966 single written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland and recorded and released by Marvin Gaye on the Tamla label. This song was released after the modest success of the Miracles-produced single "Take This Heart of Mine" in hopes that Gaye's work with the hit-making trio Holland-Dozier-Holland would bring him back to the pop top ten. Similarly conceived with the same musical background as their previous collaboration, "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", the song has the singer declaring to his woman to stay beside him promising her that he'll be "(her) number-one fool". While it reached the top forty of the Billboard Top R&B Singles chart peaking at number sixteen, it did not perform as well as "Take This Heart of Mine" on the pop charts, peaking at number 47. The song was subsequently recorded by the Flirtations in 1971, and in 1977 by The Doobie Brothers for their seventh studio album Livin' on the Fault Line.  


Year:
1995
2:45
1,077 
#2

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It's so hard lovin' you
But I don't want to let you go
Little darlin' I need you (little darlin' I need you)
Little darlin' I love you (little darlin' I love you)
Little darlin' I want you (little darlin' I want you)
Little darlin' I've got to have you (little darlin' I've got to have you)
And if it means giving up my life
I'm willing to give it up (give it up) give it up
There's always one who loves more than the other
But I don't mind, I don't mind
I'm willing to pay the price
Have your love at any sacrifice

Little darlin' I need you (little darlin' I need you)
Little darlin' I love you (little darlin' I love you)
Little darlin' I want you (little darlin' I want you)
Oh, little darlin' got to have you (little darlin' got to have you)

I know there's two or three in your life
You like as well as me
So if I have to be your number one fool
Before you care, care about me
Then I'm willing to pay the price
Be your number one fool, make that sacrifice
Oh baby

(Little darlin' I need you)
(Little darlin' I love you)
(Little darlin' I want you)
(Little darlin' got to have you)

Oo-hoo, only my pillow knows
How many tears I've cried, baby
Only my heart knows the awful hurt I feel inside, baby
My life is so lonely, waiting for you to love me only
Now I'm willing to pay the price
Be your number-one fool at any sacrifice
Little darlin' I need you (little darlin' I need you)
Little darlin' I love you (little darlin' I love you)
Little darlin' I want you (little darlin' I want you)
Little darlin' got to have you (little darlin' got to have you)
It's so hard, loving you, baby
It's so hard, loving you, baby
Now, little darlin' I need you (little darlin' I need you)
Little darlin' I love you (little darlin' I love you)

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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 »

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Written by: PHILIP PARRIS LYNOTT

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


3 facts about this song

Marvin Gaye Version
"Little Darling (I Need You)" is a 1966 single written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland and sung by Marvin Gaye. - The single was released on Tamla, a subsidiary label of Motown Records. - The song charted at #47 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and reached the Top 20 of the Billboard R&B Singles chart, peaking at #15.
The Doobie Brothers Version
The Doobie Brothers covered "Little Darling (I Need You)" on their 1977 album, "Livin' on the Fault Line." - Their version showcased a more rock-oriented sound compared to Marvin Gaye's original soul rendition. - Although not released as a single, it became a fan-favorite and has often been included in the band’s live performances.
General Facts
The song's lyrics are about a man’s plea to his woman, asking her not to leave him, emphasizing how much he needs her. - It’s known for its compelling rhythm and blues tone blending with pop sensibilities, indicative of the Motown sound. - Despite not reaching the heights of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits, "Little Darling (I Need You)" remains a standout track in his discography and a beloved rendition by The Doobie Brothers. - Through the cover by The Doobie Brothers, the song managed to bridge two very different music styles and eras, showing its enduring appeal and versatility.

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