Retro Music 46

~ beetleypete

This is a Motown song that was first recorded by The Miracles in 1966 (unreleased), then by Gladys Knight and The Pips in 1967. The following year it was covered by Marvin Gaye, and became widely accepted as the definitive version, as well as being the one that I bought at the age of 16.

Ooh, I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew
‘Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys you know I love you more
It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don’tcha know that I
Heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey yeah
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be my baby, ooh, ooh, ooh)
I know a man ain’t supposed to cry
But these tears I can’t hold inside
Losin’ you would end my life you see
‘Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you love someone else
Instead I
Heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey yeah
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be my baby, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
People say believe half of what you see, son
And none of what you hear
But I can’t help bein’ confused
If it’s true please tell me dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don’tcha know I
Heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Baby I heard it through the grapevine
Ooh I’m just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey yeah
(Heard it through the grapevine)
(Not much longer would you be my baby, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Honey, honey, I know
That you’re lettin’ me go
Said, I heard it through the grapevine
Heard it through the grapevine
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Norman Whitfield / Barrett Strong

39 thoughts on “Retro Music 46”

  5. Pingback: Retro Music 46 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  7. I just had a conversation with a friend about the “stereo” recordings of the 60s. When we’d learn any of these great old songs it was so easy to kill one side of the mix with the L/R balance knob and only get bass and drums, or piano and guitar.

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      1. The effect was the impetus for Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride.” It was knocked by the “old folks” for being about getting high when in truth it was about lying on the floor with your head between the speakers. Something my father did with his head on the floor right in front of an old Fisher mono hi-fi!

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  17. Little wonder this is the definitive version, a great arrangement and Marvin Gaye, what a combination. You couldn’t have picked a better choic today youngster (i’m guessing you were born in 52 ?)Hugs Pete/

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