Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling The Classic’s Layers of Sensuality and Spirituality
Lyrics
Tryin’ to hold back this feeling for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then, c’mon, oh, c’mon, whoa
Let’s get it on
Ah, baby, let’s get it on
Let’s love, baby
Let’s get it on, sugar
Let’s get it on, woo hoo
We’re all sensitive people
With so much to give
Understand me, sugar (ooh ooh)
Since we’ve got to be here
Let’s live
I love you
There’s nothing wrong with me
Loving you, baby no no
And giving yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true, oh baby
Ooh don’t you know how sweet and wonderful life can be ooh (let me love you)
I’m asking you baby to get it on with me ooh ooh (let me love you)
I ain’t gonna worry (let me love you)
I ain’t gonna push, won’t push you baby (let me love you)
So c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, baby
Stop beatin’ ’round the bush, hey
Let’s get it on (ooh ooh)
Let’s get it on (ooh ooh)
You know what I’m talkin’ ’bout
C’mon, baby, hey, hey
Let your love come out
If you believe in love
Let’s get it on, ooh
Let’s get it on, baby
This minute, oh yeah
Let’s get it on
Please, please get it on
I know and you know what I’ve been dreaming of, don’t you baby? (ah, ah, ah, ah)
My whole body makes that feelin’ of love, I’m happy (my body wants ya, my body wants ya)
I ain’t gonna worry, no I ain’t gonna push (ah)
I won’t push you baby, woo (ah ah)
C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, darlin’
Stop beatin’ ’round the bush
Oh, gonna get it on (ooh, ooh)
Threatenin’ you, baby (ooh, ooh)
I wanna get it on (ooh, ooh)
You don’t have to worry that it’s wrong (ooh, ooh)
If the spirit moves ya (ooh, ooh)
Let me groove ya good (ooh, ooh)
Let your love come down (ooh, ooh)
Oh, get it on
C’mon, baby (ooh, ooh)
Do you know the meaning? (ooh, ooh)
I’ve been sanctified (ooh, ooh), hey hey
Girl, you give me good feeling (ooh, ooh) (so good)
So good, somethin’ like sanctified (ooh, ooh)
Oh dear I, baby (ooh, ooh)
Nothing wrong with love (ooh, ooh)
If you want to love me just let your self go (ooh, ooh)
Oh baby, let’s get it on (ooh, ooh)
Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ is not just another soul track; it is an anthem that encapsulates an era, a movement, and an emotion. The 1973 hit is often relegated to the confines of a sexual anthem, but a closer inspection reveals a rich tapestry woven with threads of intimacy, vulnerability, and philosophical musings on love’s true form.
Transcending the initial years of its sensational reception, ‘Let’s Get It On’ has aged like fine wine, with layers of meaning that continue to resonate with listeners even half a century later. Let’s delve into the poignant world Gaye painted with his timeless masterpiece, uncovering the subtleties that enshrine it as one of the most influential soul songs ever recorded.
Seductive Syntax: Breaking Down The Beat of Desire
Right from the get-go, the song’s groovy intro sets the tone for a narrative steeped in passion. Its lyrics, while ostensibly straightforward in their call to physical love, are delivered with such a raw and nuanced vocal conviction that one can’t help but feel the yearning Gaye expresses. This isn’t about lust; it’s a soulful cry for connection.
Every verse, every vocal quiver, speaks to the complicated nature of intimacy. Gaye isn’t just inviting his lover to the bedroom; he’s guiding them towards a deeper, more profound experience of love. It is this underlying quest for emotional closeness that gives ‘Let’s Get It On’ its timeless and universal appeal.
Beyond the Bedroom: A Dive into Love’s Deep Waters
Marvin Gaye’s emotional maturity shines as he addresses the fact that we’re ‘all sensitive people with so much to give’. Here, the song diverges from mere titillation, encouraging listeners to tap into their own vulnerability. It champions the idea that understanding between lovers is the bedrock of a truly satisfying union.
It suggests that tenderness and the willingness to share oneself wholly are integral to the love experience. These words transform the song from a simple serenade into a compelling invitation to explore the profundity that can exist within a romantic relationship, hence elevating ‘Let’s Get It On’ to an almost sage-like counsel on love.
The Chorus of Life: A Refrain That Became A Rallying Cry
The chorus of ‘Let’s Get It On’ is arguably one of the most memorable in music history. As Gaye repeats the title phrase, it becomes more than an entreaty; it morphs into a mantra for the freedom of expression and the embrace of our innate passions — a cathartic release from societal constraints.
This powerful chorus not only resonates with the individual listener on an intimate level; it also captures the collective libido of a generation fighting for liberation in all areas, from the political to the bedroom. Gaye’s smooth, potent delivery commands attention and participation, making this chorus a shared experience each time it’s played.
The Hidden Harmony: Spirituality Entwined With Sensuality
Marvin Gaye was no stranger to the spiritual realm, and in ‘Let’s Get It On,’ there’s a sense that he’s merging the sacred with the sexual. Phrases like ‘I’ve been sanctified’ and commentary on love being ‘nothing wrong’ reveals an artist grappling with the duality of spiritual purity and human desire.
For many, ‘Let’s Get It On’ is a testament to the sanctification of love in its most physical form. Gaye implicitly argues that when love is true and freely chosen, it becomes a spiritual act; a divine experience just as worthy as any prayer or meditation. This integration of the physical and metaphysical gives the track an intoxicating depth.
Quotes That Quake: The Lines That Echo Through Time
‘If you believe in love, let’s get it on.’ These simple words, delivered by Gaye, carry with them a weight that extends beyond the confines of their simplicity. They encapsulate a universal truth — the importance of belief in love and the courage to pursue it.
Other lines like ‘Giving yourself to me can never be wrong if the love is true’ resonate as much today as they did when first sung. They stand as a testimony to love’s enduring power and the belief that in its truest form, it transcends all barriers, judgments, and fears. These lines ensure Marvin Gaye’s voice continues to reverberate, igniting the flame of love in the hearts of every new generation that discovers his anthem.
