Got to Give It Up
Marvin Gaye
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I used to go out to parties And stand around 'Cause I was too nervous To really get down And my body yearned to be free So I got up on the floor and found Someone to choose me No more standin' along the side walls Now I've got myself together, baby And I'm havin' a ball Long as you prove it There's always a chance Somebody watches I'm gonna make romance With your body, ooo baby, you dance all night Get down and prove it, feel all right Keep on dancin' Got to give it up
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Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Recording History"Got to Give It Up" was initially a song titled "Dancing Lady," performed during Marvin Gaye's live concerts. The studio version wasn't made until 1976.
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Album InclusionDespite being recorded in a live setting, "Got to Give It Up" was debuted in Gaye's first-ever live album, "Live at the London Palladium," in 1977.
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Chart PerformanceThe song was an enormous hit in multiple countries. In the United States, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and held that spot for a week. It also topped the R&B Singles chart for five weeks.
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Motivation for WritingGaye reportedly composed the song as a response to a demand from his label for a disco record. Despite his initial reluctance, the song eventually became one of the biggest hits of his career.
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Song StructureThe song is unique in structure. It runs for nearly 12 minutes, split into two parts. The second part is an instrumental continuation of the first, something that was unusual for pop songs of the time.
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Song ContentMarvin Gaye played multiple instruments in the recording of this song, including keyboards and percussion. The sounds of the crowd whooped and cheered throughout the song, adding to its atmosphere of being recorded live at a party.
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Influence on Other Artists"Got to Give It Up" has influenced several other artists and songs. A noteworthy example is Robin Thicke’s 2013 hit song "Blurred Lines," which was accused of copying the sound of Gaye's song. Thicke and Pharrell Williams were taken to court by the Gaye estate and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in damages in 2018.
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Song LegacyEven after decades since its release, the song is frequently played in various venues and is recurrently used in commercials and films. It was covered by several artists like Aaliyah and The Bar-Kays.
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AccoladesIn 2020, "Got to Give It Up" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
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Personal StrugglesDespite the song's success and upbeat vibe, Gaye was battling several personal challenges during this period, including tax issues and substance abuse. Still, the success of the song helped him regain some financial stability.
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Citation
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"Got to Give It Up Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/21189028/Marvin+Gaye/Got+to+Give+It+Up>.
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