Soldier's Plea
Encyclopedia
"Soldier's Plea" is a 1962 single released by singer Marvin Gaye
as Tamla 54063
, and was the last non-charted early single Marvin released prior to releasing his first hit single, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow
", later that year.
. The song was the answer song to The Supremes
' modest charter, "Your Heart Belongs to Me
", as in that song, the lead singer Diana Ross
wrote to her lover who was "serving his country from a faraway land". In Marvin's response, he counter-pleads his lover's stance that her heart belongs to him by having her keep that promise when he returned. The song was recorded with The Love Tones singing in the background.
" and "Sandman
", this was the third single for Marvin not to chart on any Billboard chart. All three releases predated the grittier rock 'n' roll-styled dance hits that initially brought Marvin national fame in the early sixties and showed the young singer singing in a smooth tenor that predated his mid-1960s recordings as he became an established R&B star.
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 Tamla 54063
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...
, and was the last non-charted early single Marvin released prior to releasing his first hit single, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow
Stubborn Kind of Fellow
"Stubborn Kind of Fellow" is a 1962 single by Marvin Gaye, released on the Motown subsidiary Tamla. The single was historic in many ways for the Washington, D.C.-bred singer and former Moonglows member, for it was the first major hit record for the singer on Motown after three failed singles and an...
", later that year.
Recording
Recorded in the spring of 1962 a few days after Marvin turned 23, the song was the first single off Marvin's second album, That Stubborn Kinda FellowThat Stubborn Kinda Fellow
That Stubborn Kinda Fellow is an album by Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label in 1962. The LP yielded several hit singles including "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", "Hitch Hike" and "Pride and Joy" and helped to establish Marvin as a rising star on the R&B music scene.An unreleased single, "Wherever...
. The song was the answer song to The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
' modest charter, "Your Heart Belongs to Me
Your Heart Belongs to Me
"Your Heart Belongs to Me" is a 1962 song written and composed by The Miracles' William "Smokey" Robinson and released as a single by Motown singing group The Supremes during their early years with the label...
", as in that song, the lead singer Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
wrote to her lover who was "serving his country from a faraway land". In Marvin's response, he counter-pleads his lover's stance that her heart belongs to him by having her keep that promise when he returned. The song was recorded with The Love Tones singing in the background.
Release
After "Let Your Conscience Be Your GuideLet Your Conscience Be Your Guide
"Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide" is the debuting single for singer Marvin Gaye, released as Tamla 54041, in May 1961. It was also the first release off Gaye's debut album, The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye, in which most of the material was the singer's failed attempt at making an "adult" record...
" and "Sandman
Mr. Sandman
"Mr. Sandman" is a popular song written by Pat Ballard which was published in 1954 and first recorded in that year by The Chordettes. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr...
", this was the third single for Marvin not to chart on any Billboard chart. All three releases predated the grittier rock 'n' roll-styled dance hits that initially brought Marvin national fame in the early sixties and showed the young singer singing in a smooth tenor that predated his mid-1960s recordings as he became an established R&B star.
Credits
- Lead vocals 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....
- Background vocals by The Love Tones
- Instrumentation by The Funk BrothersThe Funk BrothersThe Funk Brothers was the nickname of Detroit, Michigan, session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972...