Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine Lyrics (2024)

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Marvin Gaye

About I Heard It Through the Grapevine

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was produced by Whitfield for Gladys Knight & the Pips and released as a single in September 1967; it went to number two in the Billboard chart. The Miracles first recorded the song on August 16, 1966 and included their version on their 1968 album, Special Occasion. The Marvin Gaye version was placed on his 1968 album In the Groove, where it gained the attention of radio disc jockeys, and Motown founder Berry Gordy finally agreed to its release as a single in October 1968, when it went to the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for seven weeks from December 1968 to January 1969 and became for a time the biggest hit single on the Motown label (Tamla). The Gaye recording has since become an acclaimed soul classic, and in 2004, it was placed 81 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. On the commemorative fortieth anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 issue of Billboard magazine in June 2008, Marvin Gaye's "Grapevine" was ranked sixty-fifth. It was also inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant" value.more »


Year:
2006
3:13
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I bet you're wonderin' how I knew'Bout your plans to make me blueWith some other guy you knew beforeBetween the two of us guysYou know I loved you moreIt took me by surprise I must sayWhen I found out yesterdayDon't you know that I heard it through the grapevineNot much longer would you be mineOh I heard it through the grapevineOh I'm just about to lose my mindHoney, honey yeahI heard it through the grapevineNot much longer would you be mine babyI know a man ain't supposed to cryBut these tears I can't hold insideLosin' you would end my life you see'Cause you mean that much to meYou could have told me yourselfThat you loved some one elseInstead I heard it through the grapevineNot much longer would you be mineOh, I heard it through the grapevineAnd I'm just about to lose my mindHoney, honey yeahI heard it through the grapevineNot much longer would you be mine, babyPeople say believe half of what you seeSon and none of what you hearBut I can't help but be confusedIf it's true please tell me dearDo you plan to let me goFor the other guy you loved before?Don't you know I heard it through the grapevineNot much longer would you be mine, baby yeahI heard it through the grapevineJust about to lose my mindHoney, honey, yeahI heard it through the grapevine,Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeahHoney, honey, yeahI heard it through the grapevine,Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah yeahI heard it through the grapevine,Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah yeah

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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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Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

10 facts about this song

Song Creation

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by Motown Records' main songwriting team, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong.

Barrett Strong Progression

While Barrett Strong is credited as a co-writer of the song, he did not record a version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" himself.

Marvin Gaye's Version

Marvin Gaye's version of this song, released in 1968, is perhaps the best-known cover. This version became a worldwide hit, topping Billboard's Pop Singles chart for seven weeks, the R&B Singles chart for six weeks, and the UK Singles Chart for three weeks.

Gladys Knight & the Pips Success

Released before Marvin Gaye’s, Gladys Knight & the Pips' version of this song was also a success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and becoming a No. 1 R&B hit in 1967.

Creedence Clearwater Revival's Rock Twist

The song was also covered by rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival for their 1970 album, "Cosmo's Factory." Their version of the song, which stretched to over 11 minutes long, became a standout track on the album.

Application in Popular Culture

Marvin Gaye's version of the song has been used in several films and television series, including 'The Big Chill', 'More American Graffiti', and 'The Wanderers'.

Awards and Recognitions

In 1998, Gladys Knight's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, Marvin Gaye's version was ranked at number 80 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Various Versions

Besides the artists mentioned, the song also has been interpreted by numerous other musicians in various genres, including The Miracles, The Isley Brothers, and The Slits among others, proving its wide-reaching impact in the music industry.

Impact on Marvin Gaye's Career

The song is considered to be one of Marvin Gaye's signature songs and played a significant part in establishing him as one of the top recording artists of the time.

Album Success

Marvin Gaye's single helped his album, "In the Groove" (later re-titled "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"), become his best-selling album to that date, selling over 2.5 million copies.

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Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine Lyrics (2024)

FAQs

Who originally sang "Heard It through the Grapevine"? ›

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was produced by Whitfield for Gladys Knight & the Pips and released as a single in September 1967.

Who had a hit in the 1960s with I Heard It Through the Grapevine '? ›

'I Heard It Through the Grapevine': How Marvin Gaye Claimed A Soul Classic. Only a year after Gladys Knight and the Pips took it to the top of the R&B chart, Marvin made 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' his for keeps.

What song made Marvin Gaye famous? ›

Louis Cardinals. In late 1968, Gaye's recording of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" became his first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Who sang the 1969 hit song I Heard It Through the Grapevine? ›

Marvin Gaye

What does it mean to hear it through the grapevine? ›

This phrase "heard it on the grapevine" or "heard it though the grapevine" is a nice way of saying that one heard the information by means of gossip and rumor. Example of use: "I heard on the grapevine that my sister-in-law got the promotion, but I really don't know much about it."

What is the grapevine meaning? ›

a. : an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip. heard it through the grapevine. b. : a secret source of information.

What is the history of the saying heard it through the grapevine? ›

People thought the wires and poles looked like the strings used to train vines so the telegraph lines became known as 'the grapevine'. During the American Civil War rumours were often spread via the telegraph lines.

What happened to Marvin Gaye? ›

Gaye was shot twice following an altercation with his father, after he intervened in an argument between his parents. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the California Hospital Medical Center. His father later pleaded no contest to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

What famous singer was killed by his father? ›

On April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father, Marvin Gay, Sr. during a family argument. It was later determined that Gay Sr. was suffering from a brain tumor.

Who was Marvin Gaye's favorite singer? ›

“My four favorite solo singers were Rudy West, Clyde McPhatter, Little Willie John and Ray Charles.” Marvin quit school in the 11th grade to join the Air Force, where he didn't last long. He could tolerate neither the discipline nor menial tasks.

Who sang "I heard it through the grapevine besides Marvin Gaye"? ›

On December 2, 1967, that distinction was granted to the exciting Motown interpretation of “Grapevine” by Gladys Knight and the Pips. The first recording of the song, by the Miracles, was in the summer of 1966, but it wasn't even deemed worthy of release.

Who originally wrote "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"? ›

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla label, a division of Motown.

What was the title of Marvin Gaye's seminal album? ›

Gaye's landmark album, 1971's What's Going On became the first album by a solo artist to launch three top ten singles, including the title track. His 1973 single, "Let's Get It On", topped the charts while its subsequent album reached number two on the charts becoming his most successful Motown album to date.

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