Good Thing #14 - Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear
Recently posted in Good Thing #13 that Music (specifically when played through stereo speakers), was actual...good! What a relief! Despite this however, clearly not all music is good and, as as time rolls on, it becomes more difficult to find music that feels new and exciting.
In an attempt to get off Spotify, I got some albums I hadn't listened to for a while and some I was intrigued by and loaded them onto an mp3 player. Marvin Gayes '"Here, My Dear" album was one I'd heard one song and loved it ('I Met A Little Girl') and the artwork looked somewhat insane so I'd always been meaning to give it a proper listen.
This album is mainly about the ending of his relationship with his first wife Anna Gordy. As Marvin was said to have no money to pay for the divorce, his attorney arranged for Anna to receive the first $305,000 from this album advance and $295,000 in future royalties. Seemingly bitter about this, Marvin supposedly contemplated putting zero effort in to the recording. However, once the recording process started, that clearly changed and according to the album liner notes, he did the record "out of deep passion", noting he "sang and sang until I drained myself of everything I'd lived through."
A concept album of deep misery and bitterness!
The album opens with the somewhat sarcastic dedication in title track 'Here, My Dear"
"I guess I'll have to say that this album is dedicated to you...
Although, perhaps, I may not... be happy This is what you want
So I've conceded I hope it makes you happy
There's a lot of truth in it, baby
I don't think I'll have any regrets, baby
But things didn't have to be the way they was, baby
You don't have the right–to use a son of mine To keep me in line"
This perspective runs through most of the tracks. "When Did You Stop Loving Me? When Did I Stop Loving You?' is probably the stand out track. With very little pop structure, just insane melody leading into another insane melody. Most pop songs will follow the Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Middle 8, Chorus, structure. This song however seemingly goes Idea 1, into idea 2, into idea 3 on and on up to about idea 20. It rises and falls , building up and down until the title line is sung at 5 minute 35 mark. Is that the chorus? Possibly!
At its best this album is Marvin almost ad libbing over a backing band, with no real song structure, just some heart broken, often passive aggressive, stream of consciousness. Since getting into this I've been on the look out for anything remotely similar to get into... Sadly not been able to find anything comparable. If anyone reading this is aware of anything that is, please send me an e-mail.
It wasn't well received when it came out and because of the negative response, very little of the album was ever played live. Which makes me feel somewhat robbed of further ad libbed melodies and bitterness. In a similar vain, one of my favourite Marcin songs is "My Love Is Waiting" and the only live version of it that I can find - he uses it backing music to walk of stage.. He did get a few 'Oh Lords' in though, so its partly forgiven.
