Marvin Gaye: Artist Essentials

First released: 1971 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1971 release history of What's Going On. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1971 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: What's Going On

What's Going On - original nine-track program
The original 1971 album includes Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues; the title retains its earlier 1971 single date. The selected original production is distinguished from subsequently issued alternative Detroit mixes and live programs. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1968 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1968 release history of In the Groove. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1968 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: In the Groove

In the Groove - original Grapevine album recording
The original 1968 album includes I Heard It Through the Grapevine before its later single campaign. Subsequent retitling, anthologies and later rerecordings do not establish its original release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1973 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1973 release history of Let's Get It On. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1973 full album recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Let's Get It On

Let's Get It On - original album program
The original eight-track album is dated 1973. The selected full title performance belongs to that original program; the named 2003 remaster is not its first release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

Let's Get It On - separately cataloged single version
The distributor explicitly names Single Version and retains June 1973 for that edition. It establishes an edition alternative to the selected full album production, without identifying the retained annual row's edition. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1982 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1982 release history of Midnight Love. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1982 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Midnight Love

Midnight Love - original Columbia program
The original 1982 album identifies Sexual Healing. Current copyright/package lines and later instrumental bonus material do not redate or replace the selected original studio production. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1964 (year verified)

UMG explicitly dates the original single to late 1964. Its 1965 parent album, inherited album-track field and retained annual year are later events.

Recording: Original 1964 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

UMG - Marvin Gaye original recording overview
The label overview explicitly identifies How Sweet It Is as a late-1964 release and Can I Get a Witness with 1963. It supplies musical context across the original Motown and later solo repertoire; chart years and later compilations are not adopted as first-release dates. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

How Sweet It Is - original album program
The original album is dated 1965. Its inherited 1965 title-song field is superseded by UMG's explicit late-1964 single history; the album program supports the recording identity, not that later first-release year. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1967 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1967 release history of United. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1967 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Tammi Terrell

Original album: United

United - original Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duets
Original 1967 duet program identifies Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Your Precious Love, including the earlier same-year singles. Both singers retain their original joint credit. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1971 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1971 release history of What's Going On. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1971 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: What's Going On

What's Going On - original nine-track program
The original 1971 album includes Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues; the title retains its earlier 1971 single date. The selected original production is distinguished from subsequently issued alternative Detroit mixes and live programs. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1971 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1971 release history of What's Going On. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1971 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: What's Going On

What's Going On - original nine-track program
The original 1971 album includes Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues; the title retains its earlier 1971 single date. The selected original production is distinguished from subsequently issued alternative Detroit mixes and live programs. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1977 (year verified)

The original Part 1 single was released in 1977. It edits the longer studio production included on Live at the London Palladium; that album title does not make this a concert performance.

Recording: Original 1977 Part 1 studio single edit
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Got to Give It Up (Part 1)

Classic Motown - Got to Give It Up Part 1
The label identifies the 1977 Part 1 single as an edit of a longer studio production used on the fourth side of Live at the London Palladium. The selected Part 1 is a studio recording despite that album's title; session completion in 1976 is not public release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1962 (year verified)

The detailed label history documents a 1962 single release before the 1963 album and annual appearance. The museum's inconsistent 1961 shorthand is not used.

Recording: Original 1962 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Stubborn Kind of Fellow

Classic Motown - original Stubborn Kind of Fellow release
The label history places the completed recording in June 1962 and its release less than a month later. This establishes the original 1962 single, before the 1963 album and retained annual entry; recording-session and chart dates remain separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

That Stubborn Kinda Fellow - original Tamla program
The original 1963 album program identifies Pride and Joy and retains earlier 1962 recording-release fields for Stubborn Kind of Fellow and Hitch Hike. The current 2014 copyright does not redate the original recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1963 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1963 release history of That Stubborn Kinda Fellow. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1963 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: That Stubborn Kinda Fellow

That Stubborn Kinda Fellow - original Tamla program
The original 1963 album program identifies Pride and Joy and retains earlier 1962 recording-release fields for Stubborn Kind of Fellow and Hitch Hike. The current 2014 copyright does not redate the original recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1963 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1963 release history of Can I Get a Witness. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1963 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Can I Get a Witness

UMG - Marvin Gaye original recording overview
The label overview explicitly identifies How Sweet It Is as a late-1964 release and Can I Get a Witness with 1963. It supplies musical context across the original Motown and later solo repertoire; chart years and later compilations are not adopted as first-release dates. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The original Tamla single was released in 1965, as explicitly documented by the label, before the 1966 Moods album.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: I'll Be Doggone

Classic Motown - I'll Be Doggone original single
The label explicitly identifies original Tamla 54112 and its February 1965 release. The original single predates the 1966 Moods album. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

Moods of Marvin Gaye - original program and earlier single
The original album program is 1966, while Ain't That Peculiar retains its 1965 single year. The inherited 1966 I'll Be Doggone field is not used against the label's explicit 1965 single history. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1965 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1965 release history of Ain't That Peculiar. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1965 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Ain't That Peculiar

Moods of Marvin Gaye - original program and earlier single
The original album program is 1966, while Ain't That Peculiar retains its 1965 single year. The inherited 1966 I'll Be Doggone field is not used against the label's explicit 1965 single history. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1962 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1962 release history of Hitch Hike. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1962 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Hitch Hike

That Stubborn Kinda Fellow - original Tamla program
The original 1963 album program identifies Pride and Joy and retains earlier 1962 recording-release fields for Stubborn Kind of Fellow and Hitch Hike. The current 2014 copyright does not redate the original recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1967 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1967 release history of United. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1967 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Tammi Terrell

Original album: United

United - original Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duets
Original 1967 duet program identifies Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Your Precious Love, including the earlier same-year singles. Both singers retain their original joint credit. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1968 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1968 release history of You're All I Need. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1968 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Tammi Terrell

Original album: You're All I Need

You're All I Need - original duet program
The original 1968 album identifies You're All I Need to Get By and Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing with preceding 1968 song dates. These are the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1968 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1968 release history of You're All I Need. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1968 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Tammi Terrell

Original album: You're All I Need

You're All I Need - original duet program
The original 1968 album identifies You're All I Need to Get By and Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing with preceding 1968 song dates. These are the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recordings. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1969 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1969 release history of M.P.G.. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1969 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: M.P.G.

M.P.G. - original Too Busy Thinking About My Baby recording
The original 1969 program identifies Too Busy Thinking About My Baby. Only year precision is used; inherited current album track days do not establish an exact earlier single day. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1966 (year verified)

The label documents the original duet on Take Two in August 1966, before its December 1966 single. The later Frankie Gaye rerecording is a different performance.

Recording: Original 1966 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Kim Weston

Original album: Take Two

Classic Motown - Kim Weston and the original Take Two duet
The label identifies Take Two as an August 1966 album and It Takes Two as its lead track, issued as a single in December 1966. It distinguishes the later Kim Weston/Frankie Gaye rerecording. This supports 1966 album-first release and the original Marvin Gaye/Kim Weston identity. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1972 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1972 release history of Trouble Man. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1972 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Trouble Man

Trouble Man - original soundtrack program
The 1972 soundtrack distinguishes the vocal title recording from instrumental themes. The title retains its preceding November 1972 song date, before the December soundtrack album. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1976 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1976 release history of I Want You. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1976 full vocal album recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: I Want You

I Want You - original vocal and instrumental program
The original 1976 program separately labels I Want You (Vocal), After the Dance (Instrumental) and After the Dance (Vocal), alongside Come Live with Me Angel. Only the complete original vocal tracks are selected; reprises and instrumental alternatives do not pad the list. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1976 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1976 release history of I Want You. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1976 studio recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: I Want You

I Want You - original vocal and instrumental program
The original 1976 program separately labels I Want You (Vocal), After the Dance (Instrumental) and After the Dance (Vocal), alongside Come Live with Me Angel. Only the complete original vocal tracks are selected; reprises and instrumental alternatives do not pad the list. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1976 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1976 release history of I Want You. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1976 full vocal album recording
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: I Want You

I Want You - original vocal and instrumental program
The original 1976 program separately labels I Want You (Vocal), After the Dance (Instrumental) and After the Dance (Vocal), alongside Come Live with Me Angel. Only the complete original vocal tracks are selected; reprises and instrumental alternatives do not pad the list. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

First released: 1978 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1978 release history of Here, My Dear. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1978 full vocal album recording, not instrumental or reprise
Credit: Marvin Gaye
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Here, My Dear

Here, My Dear - original vocal track and separate alternatives
The original 1978 program separately lists the full vocal When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You, its instrumental and its reprise. The selection is the first full vocal track, not those alternatives. | Reviewed 2026-10-17