Marvin Gaye fans are in for a special treat. In celebration of what would be his 80th birthday on April 2, his 1972 shelved album You’re The Man will release on March 29 via Motown/Universal Music Enterprises.
The 17-track album will feature all of Gaye’s solo and non-soundtrack recordings from 1972. Three songs on the album are newly mixed by producer SaLaAM ReMi: “My Last Chance” (which is the current single), “Symphony” and “I’d Give My Life For You.” The album also includes Gaye’s canceled 1972 Christmas single,” plus an unreleased vault mix of its instrumental B-side.
The early ’70s was a turning point for Gaye’s music career. His 1971 album What’s Going On produced three hit singles — “What’s Going On,” “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).” His 1972 album Trouble Man, which was the official soundtrack of the film Trouble Man, spawned a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (the title track). In 1973, he released two critically-acclaimed albums Let’s Get It On and his duets album with Diana Ross (Diana & Marvin).
At the height of all his success, Gaye recorded an album in 1972 titled You’re The Man. He even released the politcally-charged title track as the lead single. However, when the song didn’t impact the charts, plans for the album release were ultimately canceled. The single’s lack of success was partially due to Motown label head Berry Gordy and Gaye’s disagreement about the content of the song. Gordy believed “You’re The Man” was too political for radio and feared the label would get backlash from its conservative supporters. Therefore, Motown decided not to properly promote the song on radio, which then led to Gaye totally scrapping the album.
Now, 47 years later, the world will finally get to hear what’s been sitting the Motown vault.
Marvin Gaye: You’re The Man [2LP vinyl] Track List
Side 1
Produced by Marvin Gaye (1), Hal Davis (2), Gloria Jones and Pamela Sawyer (3), Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell (4)
1. You’re The Man 5:45
2. The World Is Rated X 3:50
3. Piece of Clay 5:10
4. Where Are We Going? 3:53
Side 2
Produced by Willie Hutch
1. I’m Gonna Give You Respect 2:55
2. Try It, You’ll Like It 3:55
3. You Are That Special One 3:35
4. We Can Make It Baby 3:20
Side 3
Produced by Marvin Gaye except *Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell
Mixes for tracks 1-3, by SaLaAM ReMi, and track 5, by Art Stewart, are previously unreleased.
1. My Last Chance 3:40
2. Symphony 2:52
3. I’d Give My Life For You 3:31
4. Woman of the World* 3:30
5. Christmas In the City (instrumental) 3:48
Side 4
Produced by Marvin Gaye
1. You’re The Man Version 2 4:40
2. I Want to Come Home For Christmas 4:48
3. I’m Going Home (Move) 4:38
4. Checking Out (Double Clutch) 4:50
