Marvin Gaye's Music Still Relevant in Today's Times

Marvin Gaye is one of the greatest R&B legends of all-time and despite his passing 25 years ago, remains, in my estimation one of the most socially-conscious recording artists of all-time.

As a young boy in the early 1970s, I can vividly remember my beloved late mother and father blaring Gaye tunes on the family stereo, singing along and then later, having candid conversations about Gaye and many other recording artists of that era.

One of the things I remember most about listening to Gaye as a young child was my mother telling me about Gaye's extraordinary ability to touch on important societal issues that plagued both, the entire nation - and the black community in particular.

The ironic thing is, over three decades later, I am saying the very same things my late parents did about Gaye.

The thing I love most about Marvin Gaye is the fact that, many of the issues he talked about in his recordings in the late 1960s and early 1970s are some of the same problems that plague society - and the black community to this very day, one-quarter of a century since the passing of Marvin Gaye

At any rate, here is a list of my top ten favorite songs from Marvin Gaye, followed by a brief comment about each song from the celebrated crooner.

10. 1965: "Ain't That Peculiar" (US #8)

This song reached No. 8 in the U.S. as one of Gaye's early hits and was a prelude to many of the hits Gaye belted out in the late 60s and early 1970s.

9. 1964: "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (US #6)

This song reached No. 6 in the U.S. and gets my blood going every time I hear it as a feel-good tune to listen to with the wife or mate. Can't sing? Join the club - and my wife loves it every time I sing it to her.

8. 1968: "You're All I Need to Get By" (US #7)

This is a very mellow song by Gaye recorded with his often duet partner Tammi Terrell that is just a bit slower than an upbeat dance hit but is a great song nonetheless. I know I love the lyrics readers and I'm sure you will too

7. 1971: "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (US #4)

This is another song I love in which Gaye talks a ton about social issues like economics, race and other issues many of today's artists would never approach.

6. 1963 "Pride and Joy" (US #10)

Listen to this song, readers and you won't be sitting for long - I guarantee it - really!

5. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" 1968 (US #1; UK #1)

This song reached No. 1 in the U.S. and British charts and remains one of the great songs of all-time, particularly when sung by the originator himself.

4. "Got to Give It Up" 1977 (US #1; UK #7)

This upbeat jam reached No. 1 n the U. S. and seven on the British charts.

I used to go out and party - and stand around

Cause I was too nervous to really get down

No more standin' upside the wall

Now I got my stuff together baby and I'm havin' a ball

Okay readers, I'll admit I can hardly contain myself as I write this and listen to my man Marvin.

3. "Sexual Healing" 1982 (US #3; UK #4)

This song came just before Gaye's untimely death in 1984 and exploded on the U.S. and Europe and rightfully so as it featured Gaye at his sweet-singing best.

2. "Let's Get It On" 1973 (US #1)

This song was and still is a great feel-good song to get a party going. Gaye belts out this hit that reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts, as smooth as silk.

1. "What's Going On" 1971 (US #2)

This is my number one song by Gaye and starts off perfectly describing today's times with the lyrics

Mother, mother, mother - there's far too many of you cryin'

Brother, brother, brother - there's far too many of you dyin'

You know we've got to find a way

to bring some lovin' here today

Now I don't know about you, but that certainly sums up today's times for me in a nutshell.

Gaye will remain a favorite on my iPod playlist from now until I hit the dirt - and if you haven't heard all of Gaye's mostly spectacular recordings, I suggest you go out and find as much of it as you can for there will never be another Marvin Gaye.