Part 85 my soul people, back with more Marvin Gaye like I promised. This time, its a special performance of “Sexual Healing,” sung live at the 1983 Grammys. This was Marvin’s last worldwide smash hit, eventually peaking at #3 on the Billboard 100 after dominating the R&B charts. There is a lot of tragedy and joy to be found in the creation of this record. It’s a reflection of Marvin attempting to embrace a healthier more peaceful life through sobriety, exercise, and uh..sex. Sadly, just as he was in the midst of his triumphant comeback, he was gunned down by his father in one of the more bizarre rock and roll assassinations. It reminds me a lot of John Lennon’s demise after he completed Double Fantasy. It’s really painful to think of the three icons; Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, all dying in the early 80s. They left a tremendous void. Anyway, this song was almost entirely produced by Marvin himself outside of the rhythm guitars. It’s a true masterpiece that touched on elements of doo-wop, snythpop, reggae, funk and gospel. This performance, a lot like the song, is a triumph. Marvin reminds the music elite that he is an absolute God, taking them to school by defining what pop music is and can be. RIP Marvin.
