Although one of the most successful artists and songwriters of the 60's, Marvin Gaye had not released a solo studio album for two years prior to In the Groove, his eighth studio album. Instead he had been releasing duet performances with artists like Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell. Gaye was one of the primary artists shaping what would become the Motown sound, first as a session player, then as a solo artist and songwriter.
Gaye formed a vocal quartet called The Marquees shortly after leaving the Air Force in the late 50's. The Marquees performed in the D.C. area, connecting with Bo Diddley who co-wrote their first (and only) single, "Wyatt Earp." The group disbanded in 1960, and Marvin Gaye relocated to Detroit, connected with Barry Gordy around Christmas of 1960, and signing with Tamla, a Motown subsidiary. By 1962 Gaye was a success as a singer, session musician, and writer.
In the Groove was released in August of 1968, and would see its third single, I Heard It Through the Grapevine released in October. This single would become Gaye's first number 1 hit. October would also bring tragedy, when his vocal duet partner Tammi Terrell collapsed from exhaustion into Gaye's arms, later being diagnosed with a brain tumor which would eventually claim her life.
After the monster international success of I Heard It Through the Grapevine, the entire album would be re-released under that title. The album was both a critical and commercial success.
John Lynch brings us this soulful selection.
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Although one of Gaye's most successful songs, he was not the first artist to record or release the song. It was intended to be released by Gladys Knight & the Pips, who did so in September 1967. The Miracles also recorded the song and released it in 1968. Gaye's version would become the classic rendition.
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This was the first single from the album, released in December of 1967, months before the album. The song was about a man wanting to keep his relationship with a woman secret, because she was upper class and he was working class. It featured a rougher Gaye vocal part than was typical of his previous songs, and went to number 34 on the pop charts.
Chained
The second single would be released in August 1968, the same month as the album release. Frank Wilson wrote and produced this song which went to number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics are about a man pining for a woman he lost and wants back.
Some Kind of Wonderful
This deeper cut was not released as a single. The Drifters originally released this song in 1961, and it was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Many artists would cover this one, including Carole King and most recently Michael Bublé.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Barbarella by The Bob Crewe Generation (from the motion picture “Barbarella”)
Jane Fonda's cult classic of bad science fiction films would appear in the theaters in October 1968.
STAFF PICKS:
On the Road Again by Canned Heat
Bruce starts the staff picks with a blues and harmonica jam off Canned Heat's second album “Boogie with Canned Heat.” The group takes its name from a 1928 Tommy Johnson song entitled "Canned Heat Blues." Canned Heat's lead vocalist was Bob "The Bear" Hite, but Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson takes the lead for this song.
Chewy Chewy by Ohio Express
Rob features a happy bubblegum pop number from Mansfield, Ohio. Ohio Express consisted of session musicians who put out the music for Super K Productions. The group had a previous hit in "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy."
Sunshine Help Me by Spooky Tooth
Wayne brings us an acid rock deep cut written by Gary Wright of “Dream Weaver” fame. The song itself is about letting the sunshine clear the singer's mind. Spooky Tooth was a blues/psychedelic band from England active between 1967 and 1974. This song was not a hit, but did appear on their greatest hits album.
Hey Jude by The Beatles
Lynch's staff picks is one of the Beatles' biggest hits, though it was not released on a studio album at the time. It is also the longest single in the Beatles' catalog, running 7:11, the longest single ever released at the time. It was written by Paul McCartney for John and Cynthia Lennon's son Julian when John and Cynthia were going through a divorce.
NOVELTY TRACK:
Mr. Tambourine Man by the William Shatner
Somehow Shatner was able to put this song in the hopper while simultaneously starring as Captain Kirk in the original run of the TV show, Star Trek. We'll let you decide whether he missed his calling as a rock star.
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