If you’re looking for the most important Marvin Gaye songs of the 1970s, this list brings together the tracks that defined both his career and the decade. From socially conscious records like What’s Going On to timeless classics like Let’s Get It On, these songs show how Gaye evolved from a Motown hitmaker into one of the most influential voices in music history.
This guide focuses specifically on Marvin Gaye’s 1970s output—the era when his music became more personal, more reflective, and far more impactful. Whether you’re revisiting his catalog or discovering it for the first time, these are the songs that tell the story.
If you want to explore more music from this era, our guide to the best songs of the 1970s highlights the tracks that defined the decade.
Howard Dee’s Take
I first heard Marvin Gaye’s music the same way a lot of us did—on the radio, mixed in with everything else that was coming out in the 1970s. At the time, you don’t always realize you’re listening to something different. You just know it sounds… deeper.
As the years went on, those songs started to land a little differently. What’s Going On wasn’t just a great song—it was saying something. Let’s Get It On wasn’t just smooth—it felt personal in a way most songs didn’t.
Looking back now, what stands out is how much ground Marvin Gaye covered in that decade. He could move from social commentary to something intimate without losing who he was as an artist. That’s not easy to do, and it’s a big reason why these songs have lasted.
15 Marvin Gaye Songs That Defined the 1970s
1. What’s Going On (1971)
“What’s Going On” wasn’t just a hit—it was a turning point.
Released in 1971, the song marked a major shift in Marvin Gaye’s career. Up until that point, he had been known primarily for love songs and duets, but this record showed a completely different side of him. Inspired in part by stories of police brutality and the Vietnam War, Gaye created something that felt more like a conversation than a performance.
Instead of telling a simple story, the song asks questions—about conflict, injustice, and what was happening in the world at the time. That’s part of what makes it so powerful even today. It doesn’t feel tied to one moment. It feels ongoing.
Musically, it was just as groundbreaking. The layered vocals, the loose, almost jazz-like structure, and the warmth of the arrangement all helped create a sound that stood apart from anything Motown had released before.
If you want to go deeper into how this song came together—and why it changed everything for Gaye—you can read the full breakdown in our deep dive into What’s Going On.
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2. Let’s Get It On (1973)
“Let’s Get It On” showed a completely different side of Marvin Gaye—and it’s part of what made his run in the 1970s so unique.
Released in 1973, the song moved away from the social themes of What’s Going On and into something far more personal. At its core, it’s about connection, intimacy, and vulnerability, but it never feels forced or overproduced. It feels natural, which is what gives it staying power.
What stands out is how effortless it sounds. The groove is simple, the vocals are controlled, and yet there’s a depth to the performance that most artists never quite reach. It’s not just a love song—it feels like a conversation between two people who already understand each other.
This track also marked a shift in how Gaye approached his music during the decade. He wasn’t trying to fit into one lane. He was willing to explore different sides of himself as an artist, and songs like this made that clear.
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3. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (1971)
“Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” is one of those songs that feels even more relevant today than it did when it was first released.
Coming from the same album as What’s Going On, this track takes a slightly different angle. Instead of focusing on conflict and injustice, it turns its attention to the environment—something that wasn’t a common theme in popular music at the time. Marvin Gaye wasn’t just reacting to the world around him—he was paying attention to where things were headed.
What makes the song stand out is how understated it is. There’s no heavy-handed message, no dramatic delivery. It’s reflective, almost quiet, which somehow makes it hit harder. Lines about polluted air and damaged oceans don’t feel like warnings—they feel like observations.
Songs like this are part of what made the 1970s such a reflective decade in music, where artists weren’t just entertaining—they were trying to say something that mattered. It’s exactly the kind of message we explore in our look at songs about life lessons from the 1970s.
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4. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (1971)
“Inner City Blues” might be one of the most honest songs Marvin Gaye ever recorded.
Also part of the What’s Going On album, this track pulls everything down to street level. It’s not about broad ideas anymore—it’s about what daily life actually feels like when things aren’t working the way they should. The frustration in the lyrics doesn’t come across as dramatic. It feels lived-in.
There’s a restraint to the performance that makes it even more effective. Gaye doesn’t push the message—he lets it sit there. The groove carries it, the vocals stay controlled, and the result is something that feels more real than most protest songs of the era.
It’s songs like this that captured the emotional weight of the time, especially for people dealing with economic pressure and uncertainty. That same feeling shows up in many of the tracks featured in our look at songs about loneliness from the 1970s.
5. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1967)
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” brings a completely different energy to the list, and that’s part of what makes Marvin Gaye’s catalog so interesting.
Recorded with Tammi Terrell, this song is built on chemistry. It’s not just two voices—it feels like a conversation. There’s a sense of optimism and momentum that runs through the entire track, and it’s hard not to get pulled into it.
Even though it came out before the 1970s, its presence carried into the decade. Songs like this helped define the foundation that allowed Gaye to evolve into the artist he became later on.
6. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968)
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is one of those songs that feels instantly recognizable, no matter when you first hear it.
There’s a tension running through the track that never quite lets up. The rhythm is steady, but the vocal delivery carries a sense of unease that matches the story. Marvin Gaye doesn’t oversell it—he lets the emotion build naturally.
Like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” this is part of the earlier catalog, but it remained a defining song well into the 1970s, continuing to shape how people experienced his music.
7. Got to Give It Up (1977)
“Got to Give It Up” shows just how adaptable Marvin Gaye was during the 1970s.
At a time when disco was taking over, Gaye didn’t resist it—he stepped into it, but in his own way. The track feels loose, almost improvised, with a groove that builds as it goes rather than hitting all at once.
There’s a lightness to it compared to some of his earlier work in the decade, but it never feels out of place. It’s another example of how he could shift styles without losing his identity.
8. Ain’t That Peculiar (1965)
“Ain’t That Peculiar” captures a different side of Gaye—one that leans into emotional contradiction.
The song is about being stuck in a relationship that isn’t working, but not being able to walk away. It’s a simple idea, but it’s delivered in a way that feels relatable rather than dramatic.
Even though it predates the 1970s, songs like this helped establish the emotional honesty that would define much of his later work.
9. You’re All I Need to Get By (1968)
Another duet with Tammi Terrell, “You’re All I Need to Get By” has a warmth that’s hard to replicate.
There’s a sense of balance in the way the two voices interact. Neither one dominates the other, and that’s what gives the song its strength. It feels supportive, steady, and grounded.
That kind of emotional tone carried into the 1970s and influenced many of the more personal songs Gaye would go on to record.
10. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (1964)
“How Sweet It Is” is one of those songs that just feels good from the first note.
It’s upbeat, direct, and built around a simple message, but that’s exactly why it works. Marvin Gaye delivers it with a sense of ease that makes it feel genuine rather than polished.
This is part of the earlier Motown sound, but it remained a staple throughout the 1970s, especially in live performances.
11. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (1969)
“Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” has a rhythm that immediately pulls you in.
It’s lighter than some of Gaye’s later work, but it still carries that same sense of connection. The lyrics are simple, but the delivery gives them weight.
This is another example of how his earlier recordings continued to shape how audiences experienced his music in the 1970s.
12. Pride and Joy (1963)
“Pride and Joy” is one of the songs that helped put Gaye on the map.
There’s an energy to it that feels raw compared to his later work, but that’s part of the appeal. You can hear the foundation of what would eventually become a much more refined sound.
Even as his music evolved, songs like this remained part of the overall picture of his career.
13. Stubborn Kind of Fellow (1962)
“Stubborn Kind of Fellow” shows an early glimpse of Gaye’s personality as an artist.
There’s a confidence in the delivery, even at this stage of his career. The structure is straightforward, but the performance stands out.
It’s easy to see how songs like this set the stage for everything that came later in the 1970s.
14. Lucky Lucky Me (Recorded 1964, Released Later)
“Lucky Lucky Me” is one of those deeper cuts that didn’t get the same attention as his bigger hits.
What makes it interesting is how complete it feels despite being less well-known. The melody is strong, the vocals are smooth, and it fits naturally alongside his more popular songs.
It’s a reminder that Gaye’s catalog runs deeper than just the obvious choices.
15. Sexual Healing (1982)
“Sexual Healing” technically falls outside the 1970s, but it’s impossible to leave it out.
By the time this song was released, Marvin Gaye had already gone through a full evolution as an artist. This track reflects that, combining everything he had learned over the previous decade into something that still felt current.
It became one of his biggest hits and remains one of the most recognizable songs of his career.
Explore More Marvin Gaye on 70sMusicWisdoms
If you’ve enjoyed revisiting these songs, there’s a lot more to explore when it comes to Marvin Gaye and his impact on the 1970s. His influence didn’t stop there—it continues to show up in artists who came decades later.
- Marvin Gaye Artist Profile
- Marvin Gaye Trivia Quiz
- Deep Dive: What’s Going On
- Modern Echo: Marvin Gaye and Anderson .Paak
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Marvin Gaye’s most famous songs from the 1970s?
Marvin Gaye recorded some of his most important work during the 1970s, including What’s Going On, Let’s Get It On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), and Inner City Blues. These songs stood out not just because they were popular, but because they reflected what was happening in the world at the time. They combined strong melodies with deeper themes, which helped define the sound of the decade.
If you want to explore how these songs fit into the bigger picture, our guide to the best songs of the 1970s highlights many of the tracks that shaped the era.
What is Marvin Gaye’s most important song?
For most listeners, What’s Going On stands as the most important song in Marvin Gaye’s catalog. Released in 1971, it marked a turning point in his career and helped redefine what soul music could be. Instead of focusing only on relationships, the song addressed social issues in a way that felt personal and conversational.
Its impact went beyond chart performance. It influenced how artists approached songwriting in the 1970s and opened the door for more meaningful, message-driven music.
Did Marvin Gaye write his own songs?
Yes, Marvin Gaye was heavily involved in writing and producing many of his most important songs, especially during the 1970s. While he began his career recording material written by Motown’s songwriting teams, he eventually took creative control of his work.
Albums like What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On showed how much his role had expanded. He wasn’t just the voice anymore—he was shaping the message, the sound, and the direction of the music.
Why is the album “What’s Going On” so important?
What’s Going On is often considered one of the most important albums of the 1970s because it changed expectations for what popular music could be. Instead of a collection of unrelated songs, it was built around a central idea, with each track connected to a larger theme.
The album addressed topics like war, poverty, and environmental concerns in a way that felt accessible but still meaningful. Songs like Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and Inner City Blues helped reinforce that message and made the album feel complete rather than fragmented.
What themes did Marvin Gaye explore in his music?
During the 1970s, Marvin Gaye’s music covered a wide range of themes, including social issues, relationships, and personal reflection. Songs like What’s Going On and Inner City Blues focused on the challenges people were facing in everyday life, while Let’s Get It On explored more intimate and personal emotions.
This ability to move between different themes is one of the reasons his music still connects with listeners. Many of these ideas also show up across other songs from the decade, especially those featured in our look at songs about life lessons from the 1970s.
How did Marvin Gaye influence 1970s music?
Marvin Gaye helped shift the direction of 1970s music by showing that popular songs could carry deeper meaning without losing their appeal. His work encouraged other artists to take more control over their music and to explore topics that went beyond traditional love songs.
By combining strong songwriting with a willingness to address real-world issues, he became one of the defining voices of the decade. His influence can still be heard in artists who blend personal storytelling with broader social themes.
