About the song
Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is a soul masterpiece that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for decades. Released in 1967, this iconic track quickly became a cultural phenomenon, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Gaye a Grammy Award. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its universal theme, soulful melody, and Marvin Gaye’s powerful vocals.
The song’s lyrics explore the emotional turmoil of learning about a romantic partner’s infidelity through gossip. Gaye’s raw and vulnerable delivery conveys the pain and betrayal he experiences as he processes the shocking news. The song’s title itself, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” is a metaphor for how rumors and hearsay can spread rapidly, often distorting the truth in the process.
Musically, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is a masterpiece of soul and R&B. The driving rhythm, combined with Gaye’s soulful vocals and the backing band’s tight harmonies, create a powerful and infectious groove. The song’s arrangement is both simple and effective, allowing Gaye’s vocals to take center stage.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level. Its universal theme of heartbreak and betrayal resonates with people from all walks of life. Gaye’s powerful vocals and the song’s infectious melody make it impossible not to be moved. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the song for the first time, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is a timeless classic that will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.
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Lyrics
Ooh, I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew
‘Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don’t you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
I know a man ain’t supposed to cry
But these tears, I can’t hold inside
Losin’ you would end my life, you see
‘Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved someone else, instead
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, well
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
People say, “Believe half of what you see
Son, and none of what you hear”
But I can’t help but be confused
If it’s true, please, tell me, dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don’t you know I heard it through the grapevine?
Not much longer would you be mine
Baby, I heard it through the grapevine
Ooh, I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Honey, honey, I know (heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
That you’re letting me go (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Said, I heard it through the grapevine (heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be mine, baby)
Ooh, heard it through the grapevine (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)