Odd version, the original single version is one of the best produced records of all time. Great voice, great song. Check out his duets with Tammi Terrell, especially The Onion Song, wonderful! ❤
I agree. The production itself was a towering achievement. This is a cool live version, but it lays on the Funk, Soul, and Blues elements so hard that it loses much of its Pop impact.
Yessss. And the kids want to see how people made music without a laptop or phone. Us playing musical instruments. It’s similar to us thinking of a using a sundial to tell time. It’s just ancient technology used by barbarians. The last two weeks of SNL the “musical” guests were Bad Bunny and the previous week Spice Ice (or Ice Spice). No musical skill was utilised, seen, or heard, during the “performance” an autotune nightmare and a demonstration of ass shaking.
This live performance by Marvin was just terrific but I prefer Marvin's studio the best. My favorite version of this song I will always love Marvin's the best so much soul
And thank you, Amber, for noting that. This version is amazing, and I've nothing but respect for it, but they have very different feels, and CCR's version is the one more likely to fit my mood.
I wish you could have reviewed the studio version. The instruments drown out Marvin’s voice a bit. In my opinion, his version of this is the gold standard.
Please have a look at Aretha Franklin singing Natural Woman live at a tribute for Carole King (who wrote it). Carole is at the show and so is Barrack Obama - it makes him cry. Aretha was near the end of her life at this point and suffering from cancer, but gives one of the most spine tingling performances I’ve ever seen.
80s baby that I am, this song is forever linked to the California Raisin commercials! 😂 Apparently I used to belt this song out on road-trips when it came on the radio 😅
Marvin had the original. But Motown released the version by Gladys Knight and the Pips first. Marvins was THE BIG HIT for Moyown although Gladys snd the Pips did well too. We were so blessed to have this glotious music of the 60s and 70s. This was real talent. So soulful. Thsnks for your great reaction to this. 😊😊
Yes, Marvin’s is the original but it was shelved initially by Motown. The Gladys Knight and the Pips version was a direct response to Aretha Franklin’s success with her cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect.” Then Motown released Marvin’s version and it became the label’s best-selling single of the 1960s.
Gladys Knight & the Pips' version topped the charts. Marvin's version was actually the second to be recorded but the third to be released after The Mircales who were the first to record it. Motown was notorious for having various artists record the same song. After all, they had a system where the talent (singers), musicians, and writers were three different departments. I grew up hearing the Pips and Marvin more than any other, even the CCR version and Marvin's has really become the definitive version for me. I had actually even forgotten CCR had a cover of it as it doesn't even make my top 5 or 6 of their awesome catalog. Marvin's version however is definitely one of his top three songs for me. I've never heard this live version however. I believe the California Raisins commercials used a version that was more like Marvin's than any other if memory serves.
You probably already know this but, although it's true that The Miracles were the first to record it, it was never released. Guess they thought it wasn't good enough. I certainly would've like to have would have liked to have heard it since I always enjoyed all the early to mid 60's hits by Smokey and his group. To this day, I can't listen to Marvin Gaye's version without picturing the characters and the action from the movie "The Big Chill".
correction , Marvins version was the first to be recorded but they shelved it and released Gladys knight and the pips version and about three years later they released Marvins on a greatest hits record ; if you are disputing this check out the hitsville documentary and you'll get all the proof you need .
Marvin Gaye is one of my favorite artist of all time. His music is something else. More songs you guys should hear are "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow," "I'll Be Doggone," "Ain't That Peculiar," "Can I Get A Witness," and "You're A Wonderful One."
I’m so blessed to have experienced his music, Motown and so many artists from the 60s onward including my parents music from Puerto Rico. It’s been a good life. Thank you Lord❤️🙏🏼
YES, THE GREAT MARVIN GAYE GOING TO CHURCH. A smorgasbord of sound and genres here. A little funk, a little blues, a little gospel and a little jazz. What I love about this era of artist is the fact they keep the BLACK MUSIC TRADITION of IMPROVISATION going. During the early eras in BLACK MUSIC the artist never performed the songs the same way. This is another fine example by THE GREAT MARVIN GAYE! Great Video. Great Reaction. You should find and react to "I WANT YOU" live rehearsal in 1983 by MARVIN GAYE! A masterpiece in how to arrange a song.
An experience. Marvin Gaye is amazing, and the music, has everything. For a female friday, you should do Diana Ross singing Missing You, a tribute to Marvin Gaye after his death. The video has lots of pictures of their friendship when they were younger.
The studio version is one of the greatest studio recordings of all time. You definitely need to listen to the studio version from Marvin. It is the best version of the song ever.
I grew up in inner city san diego and my family had so many cool friends from all backgrounds. One of my dad's good friends Thurman lived 5 houses from us and if I wasnt homemi was at their house play in with his son and daughter. I had a huge crush on his daughter she was my age and I literally took it upon myself to protect her fro kids. I was he a over heals and i was just 6 years old.The The would play Mus whip whip cleaned the you and I learned alot about soul music R&B and blues from her. Fast forward 6 years ago I hurt my back so ended up in a Wye chair. At first I had to stay at a physical rehab place that was connected to a retirement home.I was set to in the dinning room with my ear buds in listen in listen in Marvin gaye. Cool and the gang, earth wind and fire, and pfunk. plunk was diggin it had my eyes closed just singing away. I felt tho pull on my Han Han opened my eyes and saw th I lady who was there. Good sized black lady in a electric chair. She asked me whats a white boy like you know about that music. I told her exactly what i told you all and how i was exposed to many types of good music from all cultures. I told her my favorite earth wind and fire song was got to get you into my life. And alot ofmoter songs i like. She was impressed by my music knowledge being just a 45 year old white guy. She was such an awesome person. All the aids lo ed her. She was big momma. Awesome Christian lady gov you the food off her plate if your hungry the clothes off her back. And she would scowl you I oh did wrong. Lol. She's passed on now butni miss her and our conversations about music.
As much as I love Marvin, I prefer the studio version to this one. 🫤 Everything is much clearer and richer. Also, another amazing version is by Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers. Gladys Knight & The Pips made the original, and I love it. "Grapevyne" by Zapp/Roger is jamming.
Just can't get tired of this song, or Marvin Gaye! It picks you up, it moves you, and always always it makes you wanna hear it again and then once more.
A Motown original. First released version was by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Next release was Marvin Gaye. CCR’s version came later. They are all great.
I was cycling to High School listening to Radio One (BBC) on a pocket transistor and earphone when I first heard this song. Instant classic and a classic memory. Every time I hear it I am transported to a sunny day, a long time ago and a long ways away. ✌️
I saw CCR twice back in the 70's, and although I appreciated their version, for me there was absolutely no comparison to Marvin's version. For me there will always be Marvin's version, Gladys Knight and the Pips, both earlier versions, and every other version.
@@robbob5302 Because it is the first version you ever heard. Unbelievably there are those that will say that Faith No More's version of Lionel Ritchie's "Easy" is the best version for the same reason, although it is a note for note copy of Lionel's original. Recency bias is a real thing.
Marvin Gaye's STUDIO version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is one of the best recorded songs in popular music history! ⭐ However, the first released version of "Grapevine" was by Gladys Knight & The Pips in 1967. It was a hit, it's faster and it SMOKES! 🔥
Marvin's version was the 2nd to be recorded and 2nd to be released. The order goes like this: (1st recording = Smokey & The Miracles in 1966, but no release......2nd recoding = Marvin Gaye in 1967, but no release.....3rd recording = Gladys Knight & the Pips in Sept. 1967 WITH "original/first" release......the next year in Aug. 1968, Marvin's was then released, and Smokey's Miracles followed, also in 1968).....Good reaction!
Gladys Knight and the Pips hit the charts with Grapevine first. Big hit. Check it out. Very different vibe. Marvin’s studio version is great too. Two Motown top names went to #1 with this song just about a year apart.
Not sure who told you to check out the live version, which is good, but it means you've missed out on the DEFINITIVE version in Marvin's studio production. An incredible song used in an iconic Levis 501 advert in the 1980s - at least in the UK. You really need to check out Marvin's studio version!
They speak quite frequently about what their musical influences were when they were growing up, and this kind of music wasn't in the repertoire. They're super young, why would you expect them to know old people music unless someone introduces it to them? That's the point of this channel.
There are thousands of song they should listen to, just not enough time in a day. At least they are trying to listen to some of the greatest songs ever song.
Saw him do this live in 1967? A long time ago. South Florida, in the heat .... outside at a racetrack. The place was literally "packed" and when he got into this rhythm, the whole place began undulating up and down (looked like a bunch of people holding a flag over a field and moving it up and down, but it was the people dancing, not a flag). It went over so well with the happy dancing, etc., he kept it up for about 20 mins. Something you never forget.
What was created by G.K. & the Pips was so pure that any and all the folks who have seriously appled their talent and gifts to present their versions of it.seem shades of the same hue we see. It is phenomenal! Thank you for taking these musical journeys and inviting us along.
My mom taught my younger brother and me to tap dance to this song when we were little. It was the '80s, and the California Raisins commercials that featured this song were really popular. Gladys Knight did a version that's really upbeat. I like Marvin Gaye's version best, but Gladys' is a lot of fun as well.
I consider Marvin Gaye the greatest singer in the history of the world. I'm sure I'll get some blowback, but that's ok. All I know is the man could sing and I love his voice. I also consider his version of the Star-Spangled Banner the greatest performance during a Lakers game. It was simply amazing, and it makes me proud to be an American when I hear it.
Be fair and listen to Marvin's studio version of this song. Then, listen to Gladys Knight's version. There is also a live version of Marvin and Gladys performing together online. I love Marvin so much!!
Great reaction as always. You two need to check out Marvin Gaye singing the Nation Anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star game in LA. Probably the best version...EVER!
This song spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard charts in 1968. The studio version is so so much better it’s slick. Also Gladys Knight and the Pips did it first in 1967 and landed on billboard at number two
Much like Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye was one of the smoothest vocalist in popular music! Such range and control. They were so talented. Gladys Knight and the Pips also do a great version of this song.💖💖
Seeing this is bittersweet for me. The guitarist in the white pants and print shirt, and playing a Fender Stratocaster, is Gordon Banks. Gordon was a personal friend of mine here in Norfolk Virginia. Gordon’s home town. Sadly, I attended Gordon’s funeral this past July. He was just 68. Gordon was a very humble man, and never threw past achievements in your face. And playing with Marvin was just one. I’m glad that I was able to call him friend!
I always thought Marvin was the original but I guess I’m wrong I know many have covered it including Gladys Knight and the pips do a great version. But because Marvin is the first one I ever heard it’s my favorite😊
Marvin's the original but they released Gladys knight version first. I don't know why they think this is a cover. Just because they listened to something first don't means it was released 1st
The far superior studio version was #1 in December of 1969. CCR was cool, but John wasn't Marvin. Listen to the studio version if you want to understand why the world went crazy for this song in late 68.
the original is dark, ominous, mysterious, threatening, suspenseful. This cover version is like 15 years later, you can tell Marvin is bored singing it for the 37 thousandth tine and he is kinda just goofing his way through, along with the band which does a lot of goofy diddling and doodling around in the background, there is none of that crap on the studio version, it is very spare and mysterious in arraangement.
Marvin's is my favorite version! I was blessed to have heard Marvin's in concert at Radio City Music Hall in NYC in 1975. It was so beautiful I nearly cried
According to Wikipedia, Marvin Gaye recorded the song first in 1967, but was shelved by Motown Records for a year. The label let Gladys Knight And The Pips debut the song, which reached “Number One” on the Billboard R & B Chart, and “Number Two” on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Marvin Gaye’s version was released in late-1968 on the Tamla Records label, and reached “Number One” on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, and stayed there for seven weeks. The Miracles recorded the first version of the song in 1966, but Motown Records shelved it until 1968, when it was released as an album cut for the vocal group’s album, “Special Occasion”.
About a year ago I called to make a doctor's appointment. The receptionist had to put me on hold to look for my chart. I figured, "Great 5 minutes of "elevator music." But no, first that opening bass line then that liquid silk voice--I got to listen to the entire, original version of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine." As I sat there reliving my misspent youth, I remember thinking, "I wish every doctor's appointment was this much fun."😊😊😊
