My Mistake (Was to Love You)

Marvin Gaye

About My Mistake (Was to Love You)

"My Mistake (Was to Love You)" is a song recorded as a duet by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye which was the second single released off the singers' duet album Diana & Marvin in February 1974. One of the original songs featured on that album, "My Mistake (Was to Love You)" was written by Gloria Jones and Pam Sawyer, the team responsible for the Gladys Knight & the Pips' classic "If I Were Your Woman". Pam Sawyer was also the co-writer (with Michael Masser) of the Diana Ross hit "Last Time I Saw Him" which dropped out of the Top 40 just prior to the Top 40 debut of "My Mistake (Was to Love You)" in March 1974: Sawyer would subsequently co-write (with Marilyn Mcleod) Diana Ross' 1976 #1 hit "Love Hangover". The narrative of "My Mistake (Was to Love You)" outlines how two lovers' relationship fell apart because the man, according to the woman, felt as if "a girl loves you, you only call them weak", while the man admits that he let his lover "slip through, like grains of sand". "My Mistake" peaked at #15 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and #19 on the Billboard Pop singles chart.. It reached #16 in Canada. 


Year:
1990
39 
#1

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My mistake was to love you, girl
Love you, girl
My mistake was to give you all
Tell the world

First I had you
In the palm of my hand
But I let you slip through
Like rain to sand
At the beginning
When I didn't care
Like my own reflection
You were always there

My mistake was to love you, girl
Love you, girl
My mistake, baby was to give you all
Tell the world

You were sweeter
Then my very own kin
But what did I do for you
Not a thing
In front of my friends
You broke me down
Since then darling
It's hard to track you down

My mistake was to love you, boy
Love you, boy
My mistake was to give my all
Tell the world

Many a smile
You put on my face
But I paid dearly
With the tears I taste

My tenderness
Made you cold, not sweet
'Cause if a girl loves you
You only call her weak

My mistake was to love you, boy
Love you, boy(love you girl)
My mistake was to give my all
Tell the world

My (my,my,my) mistake was to love you, girl(love you boy)
Love you, girl(love you boy)
My (my, my, my) mistake was to give you all
Tell the world

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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 »

8 fans

Written by: GLORIA JONES, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Album Release
"My Mistake (Was to Love You)" is part of the album named "Diana & Marvin", which was released in 1973.
First Successful Pairing
This song is the first successful pairing of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. This collaboration resulted in a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Chart Success
The song skyrocketed to the number 19 spot on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, proving its success and popularity.
R&B Success
Besides the pop chart, the song also did exceptionally well on the R&B chart, reaching the 15th position.
Use Across Media
The song has been featured in various forms of media, including movies and TV shows, showcasing Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye's timeless music appeal.
Written by
The song was penned by William "Smokey" Robinson and Berry Gordy's wife, Hazel Gordy.
Overlooked for Grammy
Despite its commercial success, the song was overlooked by the Grammy's, receiving no nominations.
Female Perspective
Interestingly, Diana Ross sings the song from a woman’s perspective who regrets falling in love too easily. This provided a unique dimension to the soulful duet.
Seperate Recording Sessions
Despite the seamless blend of their voices, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye recorded their parts of the song during separate recording sessions.
Motown Records
The song was produced by the famous American record label, Motown Records, cementing its success.
Commercial Impact
"My Mistake (Was to Love You)" single's commercial performance significantly contributed to the commercial success of the "Diana & Marvin" album.
Evergreen Appeal
The song is still celebrated today, many years after its initial release, proving its evergreen appeal.

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    My Mistake (Was to Love You)

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #19


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