Reddit reviews Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye

A lot of times the story behind the albums make them better. My personal favorite is Marvin Gaye's 1978 album Here, My Dear. When I first heard this album I thought it was just okay, and just a little too long. Then I read his biography Divided Soul and learned that this album was actually used to pay his ex-wife after their divorce, I had to go listen to it again.


As part of their divorce, the album's profits would go to her. Marvin was just coming off a hit single, Got to Give It Up, his first hit in a few years. So instead of making a disco dance pop record that would most likely be a hit, he makes Here, My Dear. The title just reeks of bitter sarcasm. Mind you, his ex-wife is Berry (the founder of his label, Motown Records) Gordy's sister, who was 17 years older than him. And the album is just chock full of slight jabs and straight uppercuts. After reading the book, knowing their history, and his life up to this point, no album of his is as personal and carries such weight. So going in and listening to the album again, the lyrics resonate much deeper. I also started noticing the production of the album, which Marvin Gaye produced himself, and took notice of all the nuances and subtleties in it. Is That Enough is everything perfect within the album. The personal and biting lyrics, along with the fantastic production where instruments just creep in and out across the whole thing. Not to mention, it's just smooth and syrupy as fuck.


In 1978 the album was critically panned and a commercial flop. Over the years, it's grown to become a classic. And that's due to Marvin's tragic story. In this case, the story+time made people appreciate something that was easily dismissed when originally released. Everybody knows of Marvin Gaye, but not many Here, My Dear and the story behind it. If you're a fan of his, reading Divided Soul is a necessity.

http://www.amazon.com/Divided-Soul-Life-Marvin-Gaye/dp/030681191X

This book is great. I just read it. He had a strange relationship with his father, which ultimately lead to Marvin's death. Marvin was also addicted to cocaine for a long time. I think his kids had a very strange childhood. All this fucked upness seems to be passed on down.

Can't say I remember with a whole lot of accuracy, it was a while ago. I know I used [this book] (http://www.amazon.ca/Divided-Soul-Life-Marvin-Gaye/dp/030681191X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452907033&sr=8-1&keywords=divided+soul) as one of my sources and I highly recommend it. It's a good read, not just for educational purposes