(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please CLICK HERE)
Marvin Gaye - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Hit Number 1: December 14, 1968
Stay at Number 1: 7 Weeks
There was a time when "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" wasn't considered strong material. In 1966, Barrett Strong, who sang lead on the Motown Label's breakthrough hit "Money (That's What I Want)", had the earliest traces of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" written down. However, he didn't have much of the lyrics in place yet, and while walking down Michigan Avenue, the thought came to him how so many people said "I heard it through the grapevine". Apparently, that phrase is associated with black slaves from the Civil War, who used the human grapevine as their own form of telegraph. The bulk of the lyrics came from producer Norman Whitfield, who helped Strong complete the song in what would turn out to be the first of many collaborations between the two. With the song's title phrase being associated with black history, you would think that Motown's founder and head honcho, Berry Gordy, would be all over this song, and rushing it to be released as a single. Well, it wasn't that easy.
The first known recording was with the Miracles in 1966, but Gordy rejected the idea of releasing their recording as a single. He felt that Strong and Whitfield should create a stronger song. Then next, a man who had been around to see Motown's initial fame took a stab at the song. That would be Marvin Gaye's version, which we'll obviously get to in a second. Unfortunately though, Gordy also rejected Gaye's version, and wouldn't release a version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" until Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded a more upbeat version, which Gordy accepted. (Their version made it to #2. It's an 8) Upon the success of Gladys Knight's version, Gaye subsequently placed his own version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" on his 1968 album In the Groove. It wasn't long after that, that disc jockeys all over the place started playing his version on the radio, and Gordy finally decided that it might be a good idea to release Gaye's version as a single. It worked. It really worked as a matter of fact, as Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" soared to the top spot on the pop charts, and stayed there for 7 weeks.
In Gladys Knight & the Pips' version, it's a classic soul stomper of a song, and was probably a great song to dance to back in the day. Gaye's version is a lot different from that. His version dramatically reaches for the stars, and he sings in a voice that he apparently wasn't that comfortable doing. Whitfield wanted Gaye to sing a lot higher than he normally did, which was similar to what was done with David Ruffin's voice with the Temptations on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", which somehow only made it to #13. (It's a 9) Even though Gaye didn't feel good about that, he still gave in to the idea, and I've got to say, he freaking nails it.
The story of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is very somber, and it's about someone who learns of their lover's unfaithfulness, and how they "heard it through the grapevine" that they wouldn't be theirs' for much longer. Listening to Gladys Knight & the Pips' version, the whole meaning of the song might go right over the listener's head. In Gaye's version, the meaning is all you're listening for. What's funny though, is that Gaye doesn't sound sad. Instead, he sounds confident, like he's been waiting 100 years to finally confront his now-ex about the situation. But he doesn't slam the girl. Instead, he wants to know the truth, and if she really did cheat on him, that's likely the end of their relationship. He's the star of his own show, and it's Gaye's voice that impresses me the most about this song. I'm not sold that Gaye felt as if he couldn't reach those high notes, because he does like a mother-f****** champ. There's so much power and emotion in his voice, that it could induce chills in a damn volcano. I also like the female backing singers, and the nonchalant string section that support Gaye throughout the song. All of it together is a subtle blow to the cheating girl, and all other cheaters on the planet. It's by far the best version of the song.
Even though Gaye wasn't new to the music circuit, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is what made him a star. In the 1970's, he would go on a pretty impressive run with songs relating to current-world issues, as well as the occasional love song of course. We'll see him in this blog again.
GRADE: 10/10
JUST MISSED:
Stevie Wonder's bright, catchy, hard-to-dislike ditty "For Once In My Life" peaked at #2 behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine'. It's an 8.
(Of course, Stevie Wonder will appear in this blog several times)
ALSO JUST MISSED:
The pretty good collab of Diana Ross & the Supremes, and the Temptations' "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" also peaked at #2 behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". It's also an 8.
(Diana Ross will appear in this blog by herself, as well as with the Supremes one last time. The Temptations will appear in this blog a few more times)
10 ALERT!!!:
Glen Campbell's beautiful southwestern inspired masterpiece "Wichita Lineman" peaked at #3 behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". I can hear it through the wires, and I can hear it through the wine. It's a 10.
(Glen Campbell will also eventually appear in this blog)
ANOTHER 10 ALERT!!!:
Dusty Springfield's gospel-like, somewhat groovy banger "Son of a Preacher Man" peaked at #10 behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". It's the only one that could ever reach me, and the only one that could ever teach me. It's a 10.
(I know what you might be thinking. And no, unfortunately Dusty Springfield never hit #1, so she will not appear in this blog)
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