Music is a weird business. One day you’re a YouTuber making comedy songs and the next you’re standing in a studio realizing you’ve just written a track that uses a soul legend’s name as a literal verb. That’s basically the origin story of the 2015 smash Marvin Gaye and get it on lyrics Charlie Puth fans still hum today.
It wasn't supposed to be his. Honestly, the industry didn’t even know who Charlie was yet. He was a songwriter-for-hire, and "Marvin Gaye" was originally intended for CeeLo Green. You can almost hear it, right? That soulful, punchy delivery. But through a mix of luck and stubbornness, Puth kept it for himself, brought in Meghan Trainor, and created a doo-wop revival that people either absolutely loved or found incredibly "ick."
The Story Behind the Lyrics
The song isn't just about Marvin Gaye the man; it’s about the feeling his music evokes. When Puth wrote the line "Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on," he was trying to capture that specific Motown magic where the music does most of the heavy lifting in a romantic setting.
He wrote it on his very first day in Los Angeles. Talk about a productive afternoon.
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Most people recognize the obvious nod to Gaye’s 1973 classic "Let’s Get It On," but the lyrics go deeper into soul history. References to "mercy, mercy please" point directly to "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)." It’s a lyrical collage. Puth and co-writers Julie Frost, Jacob Luttrell, and Nick Seeley weren't trying to be subtle. They wanted a song that felt like a vintage record played through a 2015 filter.
The production reflects this too. If you listen closely to Meghan Trainor’s verse, the beat shifts. It drops into a "trap" style with distorted 808s. Puth has mentioned in interviews that he wanted to see what Motown would sound like if it were produced with modern hip-hop tools.
Why the Song Stayed Controversial
Not everyone was a fan. Critics were pretty brutal. Some called the lyrics "teeth-grindingly" awkward, especially the "Kama Sutra show and tell" line. It’s a bit much for a song that sounds like it belongs in a 1950s diner.
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Then there was the Gaye family.
After the massive legal battle over Robin Thicke’s "Blurred Lines," everyone was walking on eggshells. Reportedly, the Gaye estate wasn't exactly thrilled with the song, but since it was a tribute that didn't technically sample the original melodies in a way that violated copyright, they didn't sue. They just... let it exist.
A Quick Look at the Chart Success
Despite the mixed reviews, the song was a global monster.
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- UK & Ireland: Hit Number 1.
- United States: Peaked at 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- New Zealand: Another Number 1 spot.
The music video—and that 2015 American Music Awards performance—added fuel to the fire. Puth and Trainor ended the performance with a very long, very real kiss that sent the internet into a tailspin. They insisted they were just "work friends," but it sold the "get it on" theme better than any marketing campaign could.
The Technical Side of the Sound
If you've ever felt like the song sounds familiar, it’s not just the Marvin Gaye connection. Musicians have pointed out that the bass line bears a striking resemblance to Ben E. King’s "Stand By Me." It uses a classic I-vi-IV-V chord progression, which is the backbone of about 90% of doo-wop music. It's designed to feel familiar. It’s musical comfort food.
Using the Influence Responsibly
If you’re looking to channel this vibe in your own playlists or songwriting, there are a few things to keep in mind. The "retro-pop" sound requires a balance of organic instruments—like the real bass guitar played by Kaveh Rastegar on this track—and modern crispness.
Actionable Steps for Music Fans:
- Dig into the source: If you like the Puth track, listen to the "What’s Going On" and "Let’s Get It On" albums in full. The complexity of the arrangements is lightyears beyond the 2015 tribute.
- Check out the remixes: The "Cahill" and "DJ Kue" remixes of "Marvin Gaye" actually strip away some of the "ick" factor for a cleaner dance-floor feel.
- Watch the "See You Again" timeline: Interestingly, Puth wrote "See You Again" just one day after finishing "Marvin Gaye." It shows how quickly a songwriter's "voice" can pivot from cheeky pop to emotional balladry.
The song remains a strange time capsule of the mid-2010s. It’s a bridge between the YouTube era and the polished pop world, proving that sometimes a "cheesy" hook is exactly what the charts are looking for.