Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get it On

By , September 21, 2004

Currently Playing: Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On

For years I’ve played it as a last song at parties of all sorts. All the drunks love to get down to it. The couples do a starry-eyed rotating hug to it. The fraternity boys loved to grind the sorority girls to it. And on one level, it’s perfect for all of those actions. Let’s get it on– the title says it all, right? Except it’s not just about sex and lust, right?

I’ve been really tryin’, baby
Tryin’ to hold back these feelings for so long
And if you feel, like I feel baby
Come on, oh come on
Let’s get it on

That doesn’t sound like lust at all, does it? Not that it would be a bad thing if that’s all it were. If the song were just a pick-up line, it would still be incredibly soulful and a beautiful piece of music, but it wouldn’t transcend pop music the way it does, and it wouldn’t be one of the better love songs I know. It’s because it’s simultaneously sexy AND loving that it is so good.

We’re all sensitive people
With so much to give, understand me sugar
Since we’ve got to be
Let’s live
I love you

That’s the point at which the song catches you off guard. The sultry music, the breathless vocals, and the pre-conceived notion of what “Let’s Get It On” must be all steer you in one direction, and suddenly he throws in an “I love you.” (And on a side note, has any singer EVER uttered those words in a more sensual fashion than Marvin Gaye does here? Doubtful.)

Best love song ever? Maybe.

Today’s Question: What do you think?

Share

22 Responses to “Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get it On”

  1. I just love his voice, its so damn dreamy

  2. YukiTonbo says:

    i think it’s the word “push”…”com’on babe, push..push babe..” the “pushing” made it sexual…

  3. No doubt ! I was going to steal this song next. But it doesn’t do it justice, if my site isn’t up to specs. Good points – all dead on. ~PK

  4. One of my complaints with modern music is that no one really sings about love and sex. Sex get all the emphasis, while songs about love are mostly made into cheesy pop ballads that lack any level of sincerity or artistic credibility.

    “Let’s Get It On” is proof of how new music sucks. Just like you said, it’s a song about both love and sex. It works so well because of the soul Marvin puts into the song. It’s not as sexy as, say, “Sexual Healing,” but it still works really well. Great song choice.

    Oh yeah, and it helps that the song has artistic credibility. Marvin wrote his lyrics and sang them with passion. Stuff like that is rare nowadays.

  5. Fizzy Pop says:

    then there’s the incomparable classic by a local duo called cat fud…”tool box”

    my, that song brings me back to the ’80s and memories of necking in the bleachers on prom night, driving at top speed through the canyons on hot summer nights, and rolling on the sand in romantic bliss…ahhh, if only cat fud would have a reunion concert

  6. Peasprout says:

    @Fizzy Pop, It is comments like that which remind me why I love you.

  7. amandaness says:

    wonderful choice, wonderful. i don’t think the song could be any better.

    how is your mom doing?

  8. Peasprout says:

    @amandaness, much better, thank you for asking.

  9. amandaness says:

    @Peasprout, I’m glad to hear that! :) And how are you doing?

  10. P: you don’t blog nearly enough ! What’s going on ? ~PK

  11. Ha ! I’d pay $$ to see you as SW !

    Yes, Tracy looks like an innocent little baby in that pic. That’s what’s so funny ! As if I’m the corrupt one !

    ~P

  12. Peasprout says:

    @Dirti Martini, what fun things are happening on halloween this year?

  13. @Peasprout, We mite trick ‘o’ treat. Or find a haunted house. Any suggestions ? What are you going to be ? You’re not working, are you ? ~P

  14. @The Treat Suite, I gotta second the one who talked about love and sex coming together. Kinda the way it’s supposed to be. Too bad people take it so lightly. Can you imagine what life would be like if everybody’s parents loved each other that way….

    Not to get that image in your heads….I hope you understand what I mean.

    Ummm……Just, y’know, parents that weren’t cold and awful toward each other.

  15. BigBadBalla says:

    How can you talk about music when politics is going on?

  16. Peasprout says:

    @BigBadBalla, Well, sure, okay, politics. Umm… is it just me or are the John Kerry voters seeming less and less enthused about their candidate with each passing day? Are they voting FOR him or AGAINST Bush?

  17. @Peasprout, Good point. In truth, I think many people are content with the fact that he’s an alternaitve to Bush. I’ve been telling people for a while now that this election isn’t Pro-Bush vs. Pro-Kerry, it’s more Pro-Bush vs. Anti-Bush. I don’t think most Kerry supporters are dismayed by it, but it really bothers me.

  18. kissme_kate8 says:

    @Peasprout, maybe i didnt read anough i just sorta skim but from this are you pro bush or anti

  19. Bamber says:

    @Peasprout, I’m registered non-partisan. Six months ago, I predicted that my philosophy come election time would be “anyone but Bush.” Now that I’ve actually done a bit of reading and watched two of the debates, I’d vote for Bush before Kerry.

    Kerry just… I don’t know, he takes it too far. “The president has screwed this up and messed that up and blown this and that. When I am the president, I will fix what he’s broken. Oh, and I’ll fix everything else too. I’ll never tell anyone no about anything unless they have “terrorist” tattooed on their forehead. There will be no problems while I am president. It’ll be utopia, just you wait and see.”

    It’s just not that bloody simple. I mean, there’s something to be said for optimism, but he’d do better to admit the challenges and promise to do his very best to fix whatever can be fixed. But to stand there and promise Americans that he will cut taxes for the entire middle class, while fixing social security and medicare and foreign relations and health care… He steps way over that line of believability.

    Just my two cents. Do I get a cookie for longest comment of the day? :P

  20. Peasprout says:

    @Peasprout, I am not really for or against Bush. I like some aspects of his presidency, and dislike others. I’d prefer to see someone else in office, but I’m not in the camp that despises him. I will cast a vote for someone other than Bush or Kerry. How about you?

  21. kissme_kate8 says:

    @Peasprout, um.. kerry
    i hate bush
    yuck well hate is a strong word haha
    i strongly dislike

  22. YukiTonbo says:

    *looking at the pretend-watch on my wrist*…it’s about time to update…no?

Leave a Reply