Praise (Marvin Gaye song)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (December 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

"Praise" is a 1981 gospel-inspired disco number released by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. The song, written by Gaye, is a tribute to not only his church upbringing but also to the sound of then-label mate Stevie Wonder, who is given a shout out on the song by Gaye. In the song, he persuades a lady to be positive in difficult times and let her "love come shining through". He then moves forward to praise God, similar to how a preacher would recite such passages from The Bible.

The song, equipped with horns, a propulsive drum beat, and Gaye's multi-layered vocals, was Gaye's second Top 40 hit since "A Funky Space Reincarnation" on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, where it peaked at number 18 on that chart while reaching #101 on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100. "Praise" was the first release off Gaye's controversial recording, In Our Lifetime.

Notes on evolution[]

The song was originally recorded in 1979 under the title "A Lover's Plea" from the singer's shelved Love Man album. It contained a piano riff of notes B B C# B, B B C# B. This was subsequently removed and replaced with a xenon filter. Motown replaced it with synths similar to Ego Tripping Out.

Chart positions[]

Personnel[]

• All vocals by Marvin Gaye
• Instrumentation by assorted musicians

References[]