Inner City Blues
Marvin Gaye
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Rockets, moon shots Spend it on the have nots Money, we make it Fore we see it you take it Oh, make you wanna holler The way they do my life Make me wanna holler The way they do my life This ain't livin' This ain't livin' No, no baby, this ain't livin' No, no, no Inflation no chance To increase finance Bills pile up sky high Send that boy off to die Make me wanna holler The way they do my life Make me wanna holler The way they do my life Hang ups, let downs Bad breaks, set backs Natural fact is I can't pay my taxes Oh, make me wanna holler And throw up both my hands Yea, it makes me wanna holler And throw up both my hands Crime is increasing Trigger happy policing Panic is spreading God knows where We're heading Oh, make me wanna holler They don't understand Make me wanna holler They don't understand
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Written by: Marvin Gaye, James Nyx
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
Release Date“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” was released on October 14, 1971, as the final single from Marvin Gaye’s renowned album “What’s Going On”.
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SongwritersMarvin Gaye co-wrote the song with James Nyx Jr., a Detroit songwriter and one of Gaye's regular collaborators.
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Critical ReceptionIt became a critical success, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the R&B Singles Chart in the United States.
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Signature SoundThe song is known for its distinctive bass line and use of percussive instruments like congas and bongos, which were less common in R&B at the time.
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Conveying Social MessageThe lyrics of "Inner City Blues" paint a bleak picture of America's inner-city struggles, discussing police brutality, poverty, and economic issues.
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Political ImpactThe song had a significant political impact, becoming an anthem of sorts for the Black Power and civil rights movements, and it is often cited as an example of socially conscious music.
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Numerous CoversOver the years, this song has been covered by numerous artists across genres from jazz musician Grover Washington Jr. to alternative rock band The Dirty Heads, highlighting its cross-genre appeal.
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Influence on MusiciansThe song has also heavily influenced hip-hop, being sampled by artists like Public Enemy and Ice Cube.
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In Popular Culture"Inner City Blues" has been used in several films and TV shows, again highlighting its enduring popularity and relevance.
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Inclusion in “Greatest Songs” Lists"Inner City Blues" is often included in lists of the greatest songs of all time. For example, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 297 on their list of 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time' in 2003.
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Induction into GRAMMY Hall of FameIn 1998, the song, as a part of the album "What's Going On", was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, underscoring its significant cultural impact.
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Artist"Inner City Blues" is a song by American soul singer Marvin Gaye.
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Release Date and AlbumThe song was released on October 21, 1971.
- It is the third and final single from Marvin Gaye's landmark album "What's Going On."
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Inspiration and ThemesThis song was inspired by the economic and political struggles faced by inner-city residents.
- It delves into economic inequality, systemic societal problems, political disillusionment, and urban life's harsh realities.
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Chart PerformanceThe single reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart, and it peaked at number nine on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, showcasing its broad appeal.
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Production"Inner City Blues" was produced by Marvin Gaye himself.
- The song's lyrics and composition were done by Marvin Gaye and James Nyx Jr.
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Impact and InfluenceThis song established Marvin Gaye as one of the most influential voices of his time.
- It helped shape the course of R&B and soul music, influencing many artists who came after Gaye.
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Covering and Sampling"Inner City Blues" has been covered by many artists across genres, including Grover Washington Jr., Etta James, and John Mayer.
- It has also been sampled in many hip-hop tracks, underscoring its enduring relevance and influence.
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LegacyIn 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- It is also included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."
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Reception"Inner City Blues" received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful lyrics and emotional depth.
- It remains one of Marvin Gaye's most beloved and recognized songs.
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Unique FeaturesThe song features a distinctive bass line, layered vocals, and minimalist yet impactful instrumentals.
- Its sound design and production quality set new standards in the soul music industry at the time of its release.
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Citation
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