Let's Get It On...... 40 Years Later

On August 29, 1973 Marvin Gaye released his twelfth studio album Let's Get It On. He recorded the album from 1970-1973 in Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles, California.  This would be the first time Marvin explored new territory from a musical stand point he ventured into funk and romance themes with sexual lyric content. The album included the timeless hits "Let's Get It On", " Come Get to This" and " You Sure Love to Ball." This was the most commercially successful album of Marvin's career and this ushered in creative control at Motown which is something Marvin fought for against CEO Berry Gordy Jr.

Inspiration Behind the Album: Marvin had been suffering from writer's block and was uncertain as to how he follow the successful 1971 album What's Going On and the 1972 Trouble Man soundtrack. At this point he was dealing with issues professionally with Berry Gordy and Motown, emotional issues in his marriage to Anna Gordy, and dealing with certain traumas from his childhood. Marvin learned how to cope with these issues by a newly found spirituality and he would use this inspiration to help him grow as an artist.


Marvin's Gaye views on Love & Sex Themes of the Album:  "I can't see anything wrong with sex between consenting anybodies. I think we make far too much of it. After all, one's genitals are just one important part of the magnificent human body ... I contend that SEX IS SEX and LOVE IS LOVE. When combined, they work well together, if two people are of about the same mind. But they are really two discrete needs and should be treated as such. Time and space will not permit me to expound further, especially in the area of the psyche. I don't believe in overly moralistic philosophies. Have your sex, it can be exciting, if you're lucky. I hope the music that I present here makes you lucky."

Toni's Thoughts: I love Marvin Gaye's music I can listen to any song he has recorded and fall in the love with lyrics, vocal skills, instruments, everything about his art touches my soul. My favorite Marvin Gaye albums are What's Going On, Let's Get It On,  I Want You and Here, My Dear.