Marvin Gaye’s top five songs
The Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye, would have turned 81 on 2 April. In celebration of his birthday, we bring you five of his greatest hits.
Marvin Gaye is the greatest Soul singer to have ever lived. He continues to be one of the most influential artists from the grave.
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The singer and songwriter was born on April 2 in 1939. He was one of the most prominent singers of the 1960s until he died on April 1, 1984. Marvin was shot by his father Marvin Gay Sr. a day before his 45th birthday.
His nearly 30-year career saw him produce some of the best songs in the history of music.
To celebrate the legend, we look at five of his greatest hits that made him a house-hold name all over the world.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
The 1967 hit single was taken from the album 'Forever Yours'. Marvin featured the talented Tammi Terrell on the song.
Not only was it on the Billboard pop and R&B charts, but the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
It Takes Two
Gaye's first major hit in the UK, ‘It Takes Two’, was released in 1965.
The song, which features Kim Weston, became number sixteen on the British singles charts. It also featured at number fourteen on the Billboard Pop charts and number four on Billboard′s Soul Singles chart in January 1967.
It is an amazing song about the power of two people in love and what they can achieve.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Released in 1968, 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' became a classic. It was top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for seven weeks from December 1968 to January 1969.
It was number 81 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Not only that, but the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Let’s Get It On
In 1973, Marvin Gaye released 'Let's Get It On', one of the sexiest songs ever recorded.
The song became a massive commercial hit.
The song was inspired by Gaye's ex-wife, Janis Hunter.
It reached number one on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S Hot R&B singles chart in 1973.
Sexual Healing
The song comes from Gaye’s 1982 album, ‘Midnight Love’. The album was an international success and 'Sexual Healing' became a world-wide hit. The song won Gaye his first two Grammy awards.
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Enjoy listening to Marvin Gaye's music on East Coast Gold. On Tuesday, 2 April, listen from 9-10am and 2-3pm as we bring you 60-minutes of the best of Marvin Gaye.
Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot.