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How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye

About the Song

Written and recorded by the legendary Marvin Gaye, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by generations of music lovers. Originally released in 1964, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Gaye’s first number-one single. It has since been covered by countless artists, including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and James Taylor.

The song is a beautiful expression of love and gratitude. Gaye’s soulful vocals and the upbeat Motown sound make it a joy to listen to. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and they speak to the universal experience of being in love.

The song begins with Gaye singing about how he had been searching for love for a long time. He had been through many disappointments, but he had never given up hope. Finally, he found the love of his life, and he is overjoyed.

The chorus of the song is a simple but powerful declaration of love. Gaye sings, “How sweet it is (to be loved by you)/How sweet it is (to be loved by you)/I needed the shelter of someone’s arms/And you came along.” These words express the pure joy and happiness that comes from being loved by someone special.

The rest of the song is filled with Gaye’s expressions of gratitude for his lover. He sings about how she has made his life better and how he can’t imagine his life without her. He also sings about how he will always love her.

“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” is a beautiful and moving song that celebrates the power of love. It is a song that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Some other interesting facts about the song:

  • The song was written by the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
  • It was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.
  • The song was featured in the 1965 film “The T.A.M.I. Show.”
  • It was also featured in the 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.”
  • In 2004, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

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Lyrics: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by youI needed the shelter of someone’s arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs
and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you babyHow sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night,
wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore,
everywhere I went it seems I’d been there before
But you brightened up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than I’ve been to myself
For me, there’s you and there ain’t nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

[Repeat and fade:]
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

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Long before the sprawling mansions, multi-platinum records, and roaring audiences, Elvis Presley experienced the harsh reality of financial hardship. Growing up in a modest household in Tupelo, Mississippi, his parents, Vernon and Gladys, frequently fought to make ends meet. Even so, Elvis was nurtured by a foundation that would anchor him throughout his life: strong family bonds, deep-rooted faith, and a constant presence of music.

During his days at Humes High School, Elvis Presley was far from the self-assured icon America would soon embrace. After moving to Memphis for a fresh start, his family settled into the Lauderdale Courts public housing. Financial struggles persisted, and memories from his school days reveal that even paying for a simple lunch was a challenge. A former coach even remembered slipping Elvis a quarter every now and then just to ensure he had something to eat.

It feels almost surreal that Elvis Presley left behind a legacy so immense given how brief his journey was. Born into poverty in a modest Tupelo home, he passed away at just 42. Yet within that span, the quiet Mississippi boy forged a voice, a presence, and an emotional resonance capable of transcending generations. His time was far shorter than anyone could have foreseen, but somehow, he made every moment of it monumental.

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