When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
Encyclopedia
"When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" is a 1978 song recorded by singer Marvin Gaye
for his Here, My Dear
album.
The song was a six minute long opus that has been considered the centerpiece of the Here, My Dear album as Gaye mentions the demise of his marriage to Anna Gaye
.
As if offering confessional testimony to his wife, Marvin airs out his side of the story of how his ill-fated marriage to the sister of his record label boss Berry Gordy
collapsed.
In a spoken narrative, the singer accuses Anna in the beginning of not following their marriage vows saying that lying about being faithful was as similar to "lying to God".
He then blames himself as well for the death of the marriage stating "I tried but all of (our) promises (were) nothing but lies" and then promises himself if he finds someone else (his new wife Janis
), he'll try a new way.
But no matter how optimistic he seemed, he always reflected back on his marriage to Anna and how at one point, Anna called the cops on him for a domestic dispute. The title isn't spoken of until the final verse when Marvin croons in his trademark falsetto about where did the love go in their relationship.
Written and produced solely by the artist himself, the song was unusual for having no distinct melody, no bridge and no distinct chorus and for its length. He would use the instrumental of this song as both an instrumental track (with several Gaye ad-libs) and as the reprise of the album to end it.
The song served as the template for Daryl Hall
's song "Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You," from his 1993 solo album, Soul Alone
. After being played the song by a friend and thinking it was an unreleased bootleg, Hall reworked the tune as a standard-structured R&B/pop song.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
for his Here, My Dear
Here, My Dear
Here, My Dear is a studio double album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released December 15, 1978 on Tamla Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at Marvin's Room in Hollywood, California from 1976 to 1977. A deeply personal and controversial album, Here, My Dear is notable for...
album.
The song was a six minute long opus that has been considered the centerpiece of the Here, My Dear album as Gaye mentions the demise of his marriage to Anna Gaye
Anna Gordy Gaye
Anna Gordy Gaye is an American songwriter and composer, known as the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the first wife of soul legend Marvin Gaye, who used their troubled marriage as the focal point of his critically acclaimed 1978 effort, Here, My Dear, an album from which Gordy...
.
As if offering confessional testimony to his wife, Marvin airs out his side of the story of how his ill-fated marriage to the sister of his record label boss Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
collapsed.
In a spoken narrative, the singer accuses Anna in the beginning of not following their marriage vows saying that lying about being faithful was as similar to "lying to God".
He then blames himself as well for the death of the marriage stating "I tried but all of (our) promises (were) nothing but lies" and then promises himself if he finds someone else (his new wife Janis
Janis Gaye
Janis Gaye is best known as the second wife of American musician Marvin Gaye.-Biography:...
), he'll try a new way.
But no matter how optimistic he seemed, he always reflected back on his marriage to Anna and how at one point, Anna called the cops on him for a domestic dispute. The title isn't spoken of until the final verse when Marvin croons in his trademark falsetto about where did the love go in their relationship.
Written and produced solely by the artist himself, the song was unusual for having no distinct melody, no bridge and no distinct chorus and for its length. He would use the instrumental of this song as both an instrumental track (with several Gaye ad-libs) and as the reprise of the album to end it.
The song served as the template for Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
's song "Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You," from his 1993 solo album, Soul Alone
Soul Alone
Soul Alone is a 1993 album by Daryl Hall released on Epic Records. Distinct from the sound of Daryl's successful duo "Hall & Oates," this album features a more soulful and jazzy feel. However, Epic failed to find a marketing niche for Hall's new sound...
. After being played the song by a friend and thinking it was an unreleased bootleg, Hall reworked the tune as a standard-structured R&B/pop song.
Personnel
- All vocals, keyboards and synthesizers by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
- Drums by Bugsy Wilcox
- Guitars by Wali Ali
- Guitar by Gordon BanksGordon Banks (musician)Gordon Banks , aka Gordon 'Guitar' Banks, is an American guitarist, producer, writer and musical director. He was voted one of the top 100 guitarists in America in 1985.Banks played an important part in Marvin Gaye's later years...
- Bass by Frank Blair
- Trumpet by Nolan Smith
- Tenor saxophone by Charles Owens