SOUL SESSIONS Vol. 3

GAYE WRITES

If you are lucky enough, one day you will experience your version of love; and honestly, there are few experiences in life that are more precious. Unfortunately, somewhere along that journey you will probably witness some unspeakable heartbreak, which (I assume) is necessary.  Life’s not-so-secret ingredient is finding the balance to endure both ends of the emotional spectrum.  No matter what facet of life you are undergoing, it always helps to have someone to share the voyage. 

Well, on December 15, 1978, apparently Marvin Gaye wanted to get a few emotions off his shirtless chest.  Unfortunately, for his ex, Marvin’s confidants were among many of the 222 million mostly Motown-ers living in America.  If you know anything about the fire signs like Leo, Sagittarius & Marvin’s astrological sign Aries, they are – for better or worse -- relentlessly determined people…, which may sound like a compliment to anyone not named Anna Gordy.

Anna Gordy Gaye is the ex-wife of Motown’s finest solo act and the elder sister of the label’s founder, Berry Gordy -- and if technicalities matter, Marvin Gaye’s “boss.” Technicalities probably mattered to Marvin as much as cameras in an elevator did to Solange Knowles. 

Anna and Marvin wed in June of 1963; and by all of her accounts [and his admissions], their relationship was about as authentic as a Jussie Smollett press conference. 

Two of Motown's Greatest
Stevie & Marvin

Marvin Gaye just might be one of the greatest artists in the history of modern music.  Even with arguably the greatest artist line-up in history, Marvin was the emperor.  His outstanding Rock and Roll Hall of Fame discography spanned nearly 3 decades.  And, his soulful signature songs were the soundtrack of social sobriety for black life in America.  Yet, at the peak of Gaye’s unparalleled success, Anna filed for divorce—sighting Marvin’s extensive drug use, his horrific money management misgivings, and his serial escapades of infidelity—including one with a 17-year-old girl named, Janis Hunter, who Gaye eventually married.., then divorced. 

This rocky romance is all captured on one of the greatest break-up albums in history.  The double LP is called Here, My Dear, which is essentially Marvin’s 73-minute diary of notes about his ex-wife.  

Here, My Dear ⧫ Marvin Gaye ⧫ Tamla-Motown Records ⧫ December 1978

Early tabulations confirmed that this project was the least favorable of his career.  Upon its release the content was greeted by Motown executives like an episode of Cheaters.  One famous publication said Here, My Dear sounded like a cheesy, supermarket tabloid which is contrary to the “sugar pie honey bun” factory Berry Gordy spent decades creating.  

Marvin admitted that some of the songs were actually written during and after the courtroom divorce proceedings.  Anna was soured by the experience and wanted to sue Marvin for $1 million dollars to part ways with the estranged hubby.  Marvin was apparently too pissed to realize that despite his illustrious career, he didn’t have $1M to give her...even if wanted to.

Marvin & Anna share happier hours

The divorce grew painfully public and extremely contentious.  And at one point, the courts ordered Marvin to pay Anna $6,000 per month in child support and alimony.  Gaye’s retort..., (insert technicality), “I’m not obeying any f@#$ court order -- the only thing I will do is take off my hat when I enter the courtroom..., maybe."  The divorce got so messy that Anna eventually had Marvin arrested as he fell far behind on the court-ordered “agreement." Things didn’t change much until Marvin’s lawyer came up with what seemed like a very bizarre notion at the time.  The idea was so preposterous that ONLY an Aries man of Marvin’s eccentric energy and determination would agree to it.  

The "deal” was Marvin would pay Anna $600,000 upfront (half of which would come from the advance from his next LP), paid by Anna’s brother Berry and the rest would come from the royalties of Gaye’s next album.  Due to Gaye’s remarkable success and stellar résumé Anna agreed.  After all, what could possible go wrong with an angry can’t-miss, soul-singing, hit-maker recording an album..., knowing that ALL the proceeds would go to a women that he despises?   Well, get your “Lemonade” ready.  

Legendary artwork created by artist
Michael Bryan

Let’s start with the  LP’s artwork -- the inside cover of the album is an artist drawn Monopoly board.  But, the word Monopoly was replaced with JUDGMENT.  You can almost hear the bell signaling the beginning of the next round. The artwork, which Marvin suggested should have his side of the board burning in flames, instead, featured a black male’s hand, handing a female a vinyl record.  His side of the “Monopoly” board also featured old tapes and a piano.  Pictured on her side of the board were cars, cash and a few houses littered on the most expensive and (statistically speaking) the least likely of places Monopoly players could land…, Boadwalk and Park Place.  Do you know how pissed (or high) a person would have to be to think of this?  And believe it or not, the album cover is probably the most gracious part of Marvin’s fuming strategy for the new album.  

Nowhere is this more evident than on Gaye’s one man therapy session “When Did You Stop Loving Me?” On the song he (rhetorically) tells Anna… "If you ever loved me with all of your heart, you'd never take a million dollars to part."

On another upper cut..., “Is That Enough,” his self-healing takes a meditative turn when Gaye writes…..  "Somebody tell me please, tell me please/Why do I have to pay attorney fees (My baby's) Attorney fees...This is a joke/I need a smoke.”

Marvin enjoying a rare,

back seat moment

The entire LP spins like a lyrical punching bag,and after each song, Marvin’s salty sarcasm spreads like a Lewinski stain. Gaye’s pettiness reached astronomic levels when it was time to play the LP for the Gordys.  Because the LP was recorded in Marvin’s personal studio, no one heard the finished project.  So Marvin decided to rent a room that was designed for conducting focus groups and hid behind a two-way mirror so his Ex’s couldn’t see his face.  But he could watch theirs as they listened in astonishment at the depths of his soulful scorns.   Naturally, Anna hated it and her brother, unlike Marvin, was at a loss for words. As love goes, time passed..., Anna forgave Marvin and even grew to appreciate the creative genius in Gaye’s unspeakable truths.

Gaye’s plan was simple…, record something mediocre, and get the settlement over with and Anna out of his life forever.  Instead, over the years the double LP became an epic masterpiece and arguably one of the most coveted of Gaye's collection. And, one of the best LPs every black household should have.

1 love, 

Ray Lewis