I Heard it Through the Grapevine

Most people are probably familiar with this song. I first heard it when I was kid, by the California Raisins. It was a time in my life when giant talking raisins seemed pretty plausible. Most people are probably familiar with the Marvin Gaye version. But I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn the full story surrounding the song.

It was written in 1966 by Motown writers Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. The song was originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles; however, Berry Gordy, the owner of Motown Records, rejected the song telling Whitfield and Strong to make it stronger. They recorded the song again with Marvin Gaye in 1967, but it still did not please Gordy, and the song was rejected again.

After the second rejection, Whitfield recorded the song with Gladys Knight & the Pips. Gordy agreed to release this version in September of 1967. It climbed to Number 2 on the Billboard Chart.

The version of the song Marvin Gaye recorded was used on his 1968 album In the Groove (it was later renamed I Heard it Through the Grapevine). After the album was released Gaye's version started to gain the attention of Radio DJs. After the song began to grow in popularity, Gordy finally agreed to release the song as a single. It was released in October 1968, after which, it climbed to the number 1 spot on the Billboard charts, and stayed there for 7 weeks, from December 1968 to January 1969. During that time it was the Motown label’s biggest hit single.

Since its release, Gaye's version has received much critical acclaim as a soul classic. It was ranked number 80 on a Rolling Stone 500 greatest songs list, on a later version of the list it was re-ranked at number 81. The commemorative 50th Anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 issue of Billboard magazine in 2008 listed it as the 65^th biggest song to appear on the chart. It was also inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame for historical, artistic and significant value.

I decided that I would adhere to the Beatles precedent (Let it Be was recorded before Abby Road, yet the albums are listed in order of release), and put Knight's version first even though Gaye recorded his earlier.

Gladys Knight & the Pips:

Marvin Gaye:

This one is pretty tough. It's hard to argue with all the acclaim Gaye received for this song, but whenever I listen to Knight's version, I always think, this one is better. However, When I listen to Gaye's version, I always think, no this one is better. And right now after listening to them both back to back, that is apparent. Gladys Knight & the Pips rocked the heck out of this song, but Marvin Gaye is Marvin Gaye, and he tears this song to pieces. Marvin is the clear winner.