Marvin Gaye – I Want You (1976)

About the song

Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” released on March 16, 1976, stands as a pivotal album in his illustrious career, marking a significant departure from his Motown roots into a sultry, disco-infused soul landscape. Following the monumental success of his previous albums, particularly “Let’s Get It On,” Gaye sought to delve deeper into themes of romance and sensuality with a new musical direction.

Recorded predominantly at his own Marvin’s Room studio in Los Angeles and Motown’s Hitsville West, the album was a collaborative effort with producer Leon Ware. Known for his smooth, cinematic sound, Ware’s influence lent a distinctive, downtempo ambiance to the album, complemented by Gaye’s embrace of synthesizers and layered vocal arrangements. This departure from Gaye’s earlier works sparked both curiosity and controversy among critics and fans alike.

At the heart of “I Want You” lies a narrative shaped by Gaye’s personal life—his tumultuous marriage to Anna Gordy and passionate affair with Janis Hunter. This deeply personal context infused the album with raw emotion and lyrical intimacy, evident in tracks like the title song and “After the Dance,” which became signature pieces of Gaye’s later career.

The album cover, featuring Ernie Barnes’s iconic painting “The Sugar Shack,” encapsulates the album’s essence—a visual and auditory exploration of love, desire, and emotional vulnerability. Barnes’s artwork, originally created in 1971, was reimagined to reflect the themes and mood of Gaye’s music, underscoring the album’s cultural and artistic significance.

Upon its release, “I Want You” received mixed reviews, with some critics questioning its departure from Gaye’s earlier, more socially conscious work. However, over time, the album has garnered retrospective acclaim for its influence on genres like disco, quiet storm, R&B, and neo soul. Its impact on contemporary artists ranging from Madonna to D’Angelo underscores its enduring relevance and musical legacy.

In conclusion, “I Want You” remains not only a pivotal moment in Marvin Gaye’s career but also a testament to his artistic evolution and enduring influence on modern soul music. Through its lush production, intimate lyrics, and bold experimentation, the album continues to captivate listeners, inviting them into Marvin Gaye’s world of passion, longing, and artistic exploration.

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Lyrics

I want you (And I want you) — the right way (The right way, babe)
I want you (Yes, I do)
But I want you to want me too (Want me too)
Want you to want me, baby (And I want you to do right, baby)
Just like I want you (Woo)

Oh, I give you all the love I want in return, sweet darling
But half a love is all I feel
Ooh, it’s too bad, it’s just too sad, you don’t want me now
But I’m going to change your mind, someway, somehow, oh baby

I want you — the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
I want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you

This one way love is just a fantasy, oh sugar
To share is precious, pure and fair, ooh
Don’t play with something you should cherish for life, oh baby
Don’t you want to care? Ain’t it lonely out there?

I want you (I want you) — the right way (Want you, baby)
I want you
But I want you to want me too
I want you to want me, baby (Oh, I want you to get down, baby)
When I get down with you, yeah, darlin’, oh, ooh (Just like I want you)

Get down, baby, woo
Have mercy
Listen precious, I wanted you
For a long time
I wanted you
More than you can imagine
Oh baby, so fine, ow!
I want you – the right way, baby
I want you, baby
But I want you to want me too, baby
Gotta, gotta, gotta love me, sugar
Oh, the way that I love you
Woooo, I want you