In Our Lifetime (song)
Encyclopedia
"In Our Lifetime" is a funk song recorded by singer Marvin Gaye
, issued on his final Motown album, 1981's In Our Lifetime. The title track's rhythm admittedly was taken from Rick James
while the song parlayed a different message of partying with Marvin predicting the world's end as he had believed from teachings he absorbed from his father that Armageddon
was approaching and that he wondered if it would happen in his lifetime. He says the title track as a question mark. In fact, the original concept of the album was to have a question mark at the end of the album title, In Our Lifetime?, Motown instead took the question mark rush-releasing the album after it was presented to the label in late 1980 by bassist Frank Blair. The song ends ironically enough in a much somber jazz tone that was likely edited in by Motown staff. An earlier funk version of the song was recorded as "I Offer You Nothing But Love" for Marvin's Love Man album and a 2007 Odyssey Studios
mix of the song ended the song without a jazz instrumental.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, issued on his final Motown album, 1981's In Our Lifetime. The title track's rhythm admittedly was taken from Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
while the song parlayed a different message of partying with Marvin predicting the world's end as he had believed from teachings he absorbed from his father that Armageddon
Armageddon
Armageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
was approaching and that he wondered if it would happen in his lifetime. He says the title track as a question mark. In fact, the original concept of the album was to have a question mark at the end of the album title, In Our Lifetime?, Motown instead took the question mark rush-releasing the album after it was presented to the label in late 1980 by bassist Frank Blair. The song ends ironically enough in a much somber jazz tone that was likely edited in by Motown staff. An earlier funk version of the song was recorded as "I Offer You Nothing But Love" for Marvin's Love Man album and a 2007 Odyssey Studios
Odyssey Studios
Odyssey Studios was a recording studio based near Marble Arch in London and opened in 1979. It was set up by Wayne Bickerton as an extension from State Records, the label he had set up with Tony Waddington and John Fruin in 1975...
mix of the song ended the song without a jazz instrumental.
Personnel
- All vocals, drums, keyboards and synthesizers by Marvin Gaye
- Bass by Frank Blair
- Guitar by Gordon Banks
- Horns by assorted horn players