World Is Rated X

Marvin Gaye

About World Is Rated X

"The World Is Rated X" is a socially conscious song recorded by Marvin Gaye culled from sessions of the shelved You're the Man project from 1972, later issued on the Motown compilation album, Motown Remembers Marvin Gaye: Never Before Released Masters and released as a promotional single in 1986.


Year:
1986
111 
#1

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Oh the world's situation should be rated X, oh rated X
Said the world's situation should be rated X, yeah rated X
Listen people, let only in the movie show
Take a look outside, I swear the truth is really told
It's life in living color; fighting, killing, drug-dealing, it's everywhere
What about the crime? Rated X
What about the killing, fighting, stealing everywhere?
They let the children see life destroyed
But they won't let them see its making
What happened to God's creations?
The one thing that really bothers me the most
Is how we come, how we take the lives of the fold
The world today is in a grave situation
Dirty water we can't drink, dirty air, it's so unfair
Na na na oh I know something's missing all over the world
Ooo, rated X (several times over sax solo)
Oh I know something's missing all over the world
The world's situation should be rated X, rated X
The world's situation should be rated X, rated X
What about the crime? Rated X
What about the killing, fighting, stealing everywhere?
They let the children see life destroyed
But they won't let them see its making
What happened to God's creations?
Where're the wars, where's the peace?
Where's the joy, where's the woe for us all?
Love is kneelin', rated X
Hate is overweight, rated X

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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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10 facts about this song

The Genre
"World Is Rated X" is a soul and funk song. Marvin Gaye was highly renowned for these music genres.
Album Association
This song was initially released as part of Gaye's cancelled 1972 album titled "You're the Man". However, it was later included in a 2001 re-issue of the album.
Relevance
The song carries a deep message about the world's problems with Gaye singing about global issues - hence the name "World Is Rated X".
Realism
The title "World Is Rated X" is a metaphor for the world becoming an unrated movie featuring violence, immorality, and hate.
Decade of Release
This song was initially recorded in the 70s, a time when Marvin was more inclined towards more socially conscious music, reflecting the realities of society.
Unreleased Material
"World Is Rated X" was part of an album that was initially never released, showing the depth of Marvin Gaye's catalog and his prolificacy.
Overlooked Track
Despite being one of Marvin Gaye's powerful pieces that carry a social message, it's not as well-known as his other hits like "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On".
Co-writers
The song was co-written by the distinguished team of songwriters that include Marilyn McLeod, Mel Bolton and Melvin Ragin.
Standalone Release
It was released as its own single in January 1986 on Motown's sub-label Tamla Records, following Marvin Gaye's tragic death in 1984.
Sampled
"World Is Rated X" has been sampled in other songs, illustrating its impact and influence in the music industry. For instance, it was sampled in "Rated X" by Bliss N Eso.

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    "World Is Rated X Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17323803/Marvin+Gaye/World+Is+Rated+X>.

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