Marvin Gaye "Inner City Blues" (1971)

"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" is a song by Marvin Gaye, released as the third and final single from his 1971 landmark album, What's Going On. Written by Gaye and James Nyx, the song depicted the ghettos of inner-city America as it discussed how the bleak situation would lead to someone wanting to holler and throw ones hands up. The song was recorded in a mellow funk style with Gaye playing piano. Several of the Funk Brothers also contributed, including Eddie "Bongo" Brown, and bassist Bob Babbitt.

The song helped Gaye make history by being one of the few artists to have three or more Top 10 songs off Billboard's Pop Singles chart peaking at #9 and one of the first to have three consecutive #1 hits on Billboard's R&B Singles chart where it stayed for two weeks. Although not certified by the RIAA at that time, all three releases from the What's Going On album gained Gold status by selling over a million copies in the United States.

The final minute of the song (and of the album) is a reprise to the theme of "What's Going On", the album's first song.

Lead and background vocals by Marvin Gaye
Written by Marvin Gaye & James Nyx
Piano by Marvin Gaye
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Marvin
• Gaye
• Inner City Blues
• Whats
• Going
• On
• Soul
• R&B

[wdrauch]

@LLBS2010 It pains my soul to live in the Detroit area and realize that Marvin could walk through the neighborhoods and see the same suffering today ...... it seems we are regressing ....

[marcelliversetti3]

@kendra3136 Sounds even better in 2011

[menopausalguitarist]

Who Could Dislike This? Peace 2 All

[dra4myboys]

when this song came out, my brother jerry made us listen.. someday you will remember this, and I do he died in 77, do to voilent.. for gearld lee rainey I miss you brother

[adiiyer]

Killer Base!!

[BlackandCoal]

this is the representation for anyone in a struggle or just want to feel good

[4fingersinge]

@wdrauch

I agree. Musically also, don't you think?

[thrilladijaq22]

Soul music hasn't died,it has changed voice's;it was just his time and he knew it,but we are lucky because he left his SOUL with us in his MUSIC********SO HE STILL LIVE.

[ctfirebattchief]

How could two people NOT let this song grip their soul? I don't care what race or religion you are, if you have a soul? this man speaks to it!! Always has, always will. 

[jas5273]

Marvin, Marvin, what happened. Wish you was here w/us today.

Miss you bro.

[TheKadafioutlawz]

I know this song by the documental

2pac resurrection