About the song
**”I Heard It Through the Grapevine”: A Soul Classic’s Journey**wn. Câu chuyện của nó bắt đầu với bản thu âm đầu tiên của The Miracles, sau đó là các phiên bản phổ biến của Gladys Knight & the Pips và Marvin Gaye.
Gladys Knight & the Pips were the first to release the song in September 1967. Their rendition quickly soared to the top of the Billboard R&B Singles chart and reached number two on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. This version became Motown’s best-selling single at the time, reflecting its immense popularity.
However, Marvin Gaye’s version, recorded in early 1967 but released later, truly defined the song’s legacy. Gaye’s take, featured on his 1968 album *In the Groove*, was initially overlooked but gained significant traction on the radio. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, eventually approved its release as a single in October 1968. This version became a massive hit, reigning at the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for seven weeks and surpassing the Gladys Knight & the Pips’ version in popularity.
Marvin Gaye’s recording is celebrated as a soul classic. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 for its historical and artistic significance. It also earned a spot in Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, reflecting its enduring impact on music. The Gladys Knight & the Pips version also received Grammy Hall of Fame recognition in 2018, underscoring its lasting influence.
The song’s origins lie in Barrett Strong’s inspiration from the phrase “I heard it through the grapevine,” which he encountered while in Chicago. The phrase historically referred to informal communication channels used during the Civil War era, known as the “human grapevine.” Together with producer Norman Whitfield, Strong crafted a powerful track that has since been covered by various artists, including Creedence Clearwater Revival, who offered an eleven-minute interpretation in 1970.
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” remains a profound piece of musical history, resonating with audiences across generations through its heartfelt lyrics and soulful delivery.
Video
Lyrics
Ooh, bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew
‘Bout your plan to make me blue
With some other guy that you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I loved you more
It took me by surprise, I must say
When I found out yesterday
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
You know that 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 found someone else, instead
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
People say, “You hear from what you see
Not, not, not from what you hear”
I can’t help but being confused
If it’s true, won’t you tell me, dear?
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy that you knew before?
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooh-ooh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah