Got to Give It Up

"Got to Give It Up" is the name of the 1977 blockbuster smash recorded by American soul music legend Marvin Gaye. The song held the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, from June 18 1977 to June 25. It replaced "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, and was replaced by "Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti.

History

About the song

The song, solely written by the singer and co-produced with Art Stewart, is about a man who was too shy to get on the floor and dance. But the groove allows him to lose himself in the music allowing a need for escape.

When the song was issued as a release from his Top 3 double-album live collection, Live at the London Palladium (#1 R&B; #3 Pop), it became Gaye's biggest hit since his seminal 1973 anthem, Let's Get It On. The single reached #1 simultaneously on Billboard's Pop, R&B and Dance (Club) Singles charts. Gaye became one of the few soul icons to find modest success in the disco field, as did another Motown icon, Diana Ross.

The song became a precursor to the familiar percussion-led, falsetto-sung, party-fill atmosphere of Michael Jackson's 1979 hit "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough".

Musicians

The song was originally recorded in a twelve minute version, and was edited into a four and a half minute version for its commercial release. Featured on the recording were Ernie Banks on drums, Nathan Watts on bass, and Gaye friend and soul legend in his own right, Frankie Beverly of Maze, on percussion. Notably, Beverly was the one who hit a juice bottle to add to create a unique effect for the song.

"Got ot Get it Up" was mostly sung by Gaye on both lead and background. Janis Hunter Gaye, Gaye's second wife, can also be heard singing in the background.

Cover version

"Got to Give it Up" has been covered by R&B group Zhane and also by late R&B singer Aaliyah. Aaliyah's version, featuring a rap from Slick Rick, was included on her 1996 album One In A Million released as a single in 1997.