Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” reaches No.1 on the Billboard Charts in 1973
Originally written with a religious theme the song turned into Marvin Gaye’s plea for sexual liberation
Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” reaches No.1 on the Billboard Charts in 1973
Co-written with producer Ed Townsend, “Let’s Get It On” was Gaye’s plea for sexual liberation. When originally conceived by Townsend, who was released from a rehab facility for alcoholism, it was written with a religious theme. Gaye confidante Kenneth Stover changed some of the words around as a political song and Gaye recorded the version as it was written, but Townsend protested that the song wasn’t a politically conscious song, but a song dedicated to love and sex. Gaye and Townsend then collaborated on new lyrics and using the original backing tracks as recorded, Gaye transformed the song into an emotional centerpiece “Let’s Get It On” became, and remains to this day, one of Gaye’s most successful singles, as it reached #1 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart on September 8, 1973. The single remained at #1 for two weeks, while also remaining at the top of the Billboard Soul Singles chart for eight weeks. The song became the biggest selling Motown release in the United States at the time, selling over two million copies within the first six weeks of following its release. “Let’s Get It On” also became the second best-selling single of 1973. With the help of the song’s sexually explicit content, “Let’s Get It On” helped give Gaye a reputation as a sex icon during its initial popularity.
Watch Marvin Gaye performing “Let’s Get It On” on famous 70’s TV Show “Soul Train”
Watch more 1970’s related videos
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