Distant Lover

Marvin Gaye

About Distant Lover

"Distant Lover" is the sixth song issued on singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 album, Let's Get It On and the b-side of the second single from that album, "Come Get to This." A live recording was issued as a single in 1974. The live version of the song was Gaye's most successful single during the three-year gap between Let's Get It On and his following 1976 album, I Want You.


Year:
2008
5:16
51 
#1

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You know, when you're in love and your lover leaves you
And you've got nobody, the lonely hours over here
Sittin' home and thinkin', you say:
Distant lover, darlin', ooo hoo hoo
So many miles away, ooo please
Oh please, baby, think about me
Hey, in misery
Oh say, baby, as I reminisce about your life
That we shared together
The promises we made, baby
Of the day you left, child
Then all of a sudden, if it may seem to explode
Now I gaze out my window, sugar, down a lonesome road, ooo
Distant lover, ooo, sugar
How can you treat my heart so mean and cruel
Didn't you know, sugar, that I dream
Of what I spent with you
I treasure it like it was a precious jewel, oh baby
Lord have mercy!
Oh baby, don't go
Please come back, baby
Ooo, something I want to say
When you left to go away
No 'ther do I want, do you want to have me plead and scream
Please! Please, oh please baby
Come back home, girl
Oh baby, come back
Oh oh

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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 »

8 fans

Written by: Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Marvin Gaye, Sandra Elaine Greene

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Release Date
The song "Distant Lover" was originally released as a part of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" album in 1973.
Live Version Popularity
The track gained most of its popularity with a live version released on Gaye's 1974 album, "Marvin Gaye Live!".
Chart Performance
The live version of "Distant Lover" reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top-ten hit on the R&B/Soul chart.
Songwriters
The song was co-written by Marvin Gaye, Gwen Gordy Fuqua and Sandra Greene. Gwen Gordy Fuqua was one of the founding members of the famous recording label Motown.
Impact on Career
"Distant Lover" is known to have reignited Marvin Gaye's career at the time, as he had been dealing with personal and professional turmoil.
Song Theme
The song lyrically showcases a man longing for his lover who is far away from him and reflects fundamental aspects of Marvin Gaye's romantic and sensual style.
Fan Reaction
During live performances, fans reacted so positively to "Distant Lover" that their enthusiastic cheering and applause often extended the length of the song.
Cultural References
The track has been referenced by multiple artists and featured in various works of pop culture, including movies and TV series.
Covered by Other Artists
"Distant Lover" has been covered by several artists, ranging from blues musician Little Milton to hip hop artist Kanye West, showcasing its cultural and musical relevance.
Soulful Aesthetic
The song is considered as one of the prime examples of Marvin Gay's aesthetic of deeply soulful and emotional singing.
Sampled in Hip Hop
"Distant Lover" has been sampled in numerous hip hop songs, such as Tupac Shakur's "Can U Get Away" and Lil Wayne's "Dey Know".
Recognition
Music critics often highlight "Distant Lover" as a standout track in Marvin Gaye's discography, praising its lyrical content and emotional delivery.
Gaye’s Live Performances
Often in Gaye’s live performances, female fans would faint or become very emotional when he performed “Distant Lover.”

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    Distant Lover

    9.6M
    77,059     3,366

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #28


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