God Is Love (song)

"God is Love" is a 1970 song written by Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, James Nyx Jr. and Elgie Stover and recorded by Marvin for his What's Going On album. The song was a return of sorts to Gaye's religious background dedicating this song to God and his father, Marvin Gay, Sr. The song was originally recorded as the B-side to "What's Going On" shortly after that song was recorded. The original 45 rpm version of "What's Going On" included a slower, string-laden version of this song as its B-side. The musical composition was used for the original version of "Just to Keep You Satisfied" by The Monitors, who recorded it in 1968. The song was later retooled in a more joyous, faster version thanks to composition from Marvin Gaye brought on after the success of "What's Going On" as a hit song. It also ended in a much faster and abrupt tone leading into the album's next single, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)". The original version has since been re-issued on several greatest-hits sets and re-issues of the album. J Dilla sampled the original version first for his instrumental "Marvin and the Fam", and then with rapper Common on his song "Love Is", from his 2005 album Be.

Personnel

1970 version

All vocals by Marvin Gaye
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
Arranged by Paul Riser
Produced by Marvin Gaye

1971 (album) version

Lead vocals by Marvin Gaye
Background vocals by The Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
Arranged by Paul Riser
Produced by Marvin Gaye

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