My Love Is Waiting
Encyclopedia
"My Love is Waiting" is a song written by musician Gordon Banks
and recorded and released by American
singer Marvin Gaye
, as a European
-only single in early 1983, it was also the last track on Gaye's final album in his lifetime, Midnight Love
.
. While working with Gaye in Europe, first on several tours and then together at a Belgian recording studio where they recorded Gaye's Midnight Love album, Gaye had struggled to complete his new record, his first outside Motown
. Upon hearing the demo of Banks' song, Gaye requested to record the song, which Banks agreed. Gaye and Banks produced the song and arranged his vocals, recording multi-layered background vocals on one date, and a solo lead the next. Surprisingly, Gaye made just a few additions to this song. This was the final song Gaye recorded and finalized for Midnight Love.
In the song, he begins it by thanking several people for helping him make the album including CBS Records, Banks, CBS' black music chief Larkin Arnold, and "most of all, we want to thank our Heavenly father, Jesus!" before the song's melody emerges. The song is about a man coming back to an old lover after several months apart. The song's ironic message was also partially due to Gaye returning to the arms of his fans after a five-year layoff. Gaye would return to the United States in late 1982 following the release of Midnight Love. During his "Sexual Healing Tour", Gaye would end his shows with the song being played as an instrumental outro where he took the time to thank several of his close friends and family, and also, like the song itself, also thanked God saying "I still love Jesus!" Gaye died the following year making the words seem prophetic.
Gordon Banks (musician)
Gordon Banks , aka Gordon 'Guitar' Banks, is an American guitarist, producer, writer and musical director. He was voted one of the top 100 guitarists in America in 1985.Banks played an important part in Marvin Gaye's later years...
and recorded and released by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Marvin Gaye
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....
, as a European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
-only single in early 1983, it was also the last track on Gaye's final album in his lifetime, Midnight Love
Midnight Love
Midnight Love is the final studio album recorded and issued by American soul singer Marvin Gaye and was the singer's first release from Columbia months after leaving his longtime label, Motown. It claimed the number one slot on NME Album of the Year....
.
Background
The song was written by Banks with another act in mind that he was producing back in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. While working with Gaye in Europe, first on several tours and then together at a Belgian recording studio where they recorded Gaye's Midnight Love album, Gaye had struggled to complete his new record, his first outside Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
. Upon hearing the demo of Banks' song, Gaye requested to record the song, which Banks agreed. Gaye and Banks produced the song and arranged his vocals, recording multi-layered background vocals on one date, and a solo lead the next. Surprisingly, Gaye made just a few additions to this song. This was the final song Gaye recorded and finalized for Midnight Love.
In the song, he begins it by thanking several people for helping him make the album including CBS Records, Banks, CBS' black music chief Larkin Arnold, and "most of all, we want to thank our Heavenly father, Jesus!" before the song's melody emerges. The song is about a man coming back to an old lover after several months apart. The song's ironic message was also partially due to Gaye returning to the arms of his fans after a five-year layoff. Gaye would return to the United States in late 1982 following the release of Midnight Love. During his "Sexual Healing Tour", Gaye would end his shows with the song being played as an instrumental outro where he took the time to thank several of his close friends and family, and also, like the song itself, also thanked God saying "I still love Jesus!" Gaye died the following year making the words seem prophetic.
Chart performances and re-releases
While it wasn't released in the US, it did register on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 34 on the chart and the Dutch singles chart where it peaked at number 45. There is also an alternate version that can be found on the Midnight Love and the Sexual Healing Sessions, that is longer than the final version released on the Midnight Love album.Credits
- All vocals, synthesizers and organ by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
- Drums, guitar, bass and Fender Rhodes by Gordon Banks
- Music and lyrics written by Gordon Banks
- Produced by Marvin Gaye