Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s 14th Studio Album “Here, My Dear” Originally Released on December 15, 1978.
“Here, My Dear” is the fourteenth studio album by soul/funk singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye, released in 1978 on Tamla Records.
The album peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's. chart, and at #26 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape charts.
The song “A Funky Space Reincarnation (Part 1)” was released as the first single from the album it reached #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #106 just beneath the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts.
The song "Anger" was the second song released from the album, failed to chart on major music charts such as the US Billboard Hot 100 or the UK Singles Chart.
Upon it's release “Here, My Dear” receive a lukewarm response from critics and fans because of its deep personal viewpoints on love, marriage and divorce in which the album received the nickname the "divorce album".
The album’s lyrics are described as unusually prosaic and candid, rather than poetic. They often focus on the practical and emotional aspects of the divorce settlement and the relationship itself. Fortunately over time, the album's artistic merit has been recognized, and it is now considered a work of genius and one of Gaye's finest albums.
“Here, My Dear is concept album, notable for its subject matter focusing largely on Gaye's acrimonious divorce from his first wife, Anna Gordy Gaye.
The double LP takes listeners on a journey through the entire relationship, from its happy beginning to its bitter end.
"A Funky Space Reincarnation" was a P-funk-inspired tune its lyrical theme as a sci-fi romance where Gaye imagines meeting a woman who reminds him of his ex-wife.
"When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You?" was one of the album's standout tracks although it wasn't commercially released it did receive airplay on many urban radio stations especially during quietstorm hours.
"Is That Enough" was another standout track widely considered one of the album's best, featuring sharp, sarcastic lyrics about attorney fees and the divorce settlement set against a groovy jam.
"I Met a Little Girl": A tender, nostalgic look back at the start of their romance.
"You Can Leave, But It's Going to Cost You": A direct, assertive track about the financial terms of the divorce.
“Here, My Dear” is now considered a landmark album in soul music history, celebrated for its artistic courage and for pushing the boundaries of personal expression in popular music.
The album was placed at number 493 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list in 2020.
Track-list
1. Here, My Dear
2. I Met a Little Girl
3. When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
4. Anger
5. Is That Enough
6. Everybody Needs Love
7. Time to Get It Together
8. Sparrow
9. Anna's Song
10. When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Instrumental)
11. A Funky Space Reincarnation
12. You Can Leave, But It's Going to Cost You
13. Falling in Love Again
14. When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Reprise)
15. Ain't It Funny (How Things Turn Around)" (alternate mix) (bonus)
By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©.
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