About The Song
Sexual Healing stands out as one of the most notorious tracks by the American singer Marvin Gaye. Positioned as the second track on his seventeenth studio album, “Midnight Love,” released in 1982, the song was a collaborative effort between Gaye and American jazz organist Odell Brown, with Gaye taking on the role of producer.
The essence of “Sexual Healing” lies in its portrayal of healing through intimacy, specifically addressing aspects of intimacy and relationships. Recorded in Ostend, Belgium, in 1982, the song marked Gaye’s return to the music scene after a period of living in Belgium to escape personal challenges, including divorces, tax scandals, a cocaine addiction, and battles with depression. Upon his return to America, “Sexual Healing” played a pivotal role in revitalizing Gaye’s career. Tragically, Gaye passed away two years later, a victim of a gunshot from his father, Marvin Gay Sr., who was known for disapproving of his son’s musical pursuits and was also a Christian minister.
The music video for “Sexual Healing” was initially released in 1982 and later uploaded to Marvin Gaye’s official YouTube channel on December 7, 2013. The video depicts Gaye in a smoky underground nightclub with four female dancers behind him, interspersed with scenes of Gaye undergoing a physical examination by a female doctor. The doctor consumes a potion labeled “Midnight Love Potion,” leading to her falling in love with Gaye.
In its release year, “Sexual Healing” achieved notable chart positions worldwide, including reaching #4 in Australia, #2 in Belgium, #1 in Canada, #17 in France, #23 in Germany, #7 in Ireland, #37 in Italy, #3 in the Netherlands, #1 in New Zealand, #17 in Sweden, #4 in the UK Singles Chart, #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #34 on the US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, #12 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, and #5 on the US Cash Box chart. The track received Gold certification in Canada, Denmark, the UK, and the US. At the 1983 Grammy Awards, “Sexual Healing” earned two Grammys: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Instrumental Performance. In the year-end lists of 1982, Rolling Stone, NME, and The Village Voice all recognized “Sexual Healing” as one of the standout “songs of the year.”
Video
Lyrics
Get up, get up, get up, get up!
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up!Oh, baby now let’s get down tonight
Ooh baby, I’m hot just like an oven
I need some lovin’
And baby, I can’t hold it much longer
It’s getting stronger and strongerAnd when I get that feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing, oh baby
Makes me feel so fineHelps to relieve my mind
Sexual healing baby, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that’s good for meWhenever blue teardrops are fallin’
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
I can get on the telephone and call you up babyAnd honey I know you’ll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
If you don’t know the thing you’re dealing
Ohh I can tell you, darling, that it’s sexual healingGet up, get up, get up, get up
Let’s make love tonight
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
‘Cause you do it rightBaby, I got sick this mornin’
A sea was stormin’ inside of me
Baby, I think I’m capsizin’
The waves are risin’ and risin’And when I get that feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing is good for me
Makes me feel so fine, it’s such a rush
Helps to relieve the mind, and it’s good for usSexual healing, baby, it’s good for me
Sexual healing is something that’s good for me
Well, it’s good for me and it’s so good to me my baby, ohhCome take control, just grab a hold
Of my body and mind, soon we’ll be making it, honey
I’ll be feeling fine,
You’re my medicine, open up and let me in
Darling, you’re so great, I can’t wait for you to operateI can’t wait for you to operate
When I get this feeling
I need sexual healing
Oh when I get this feeling
I need sexual healing
I gotta have sexual healing, darling
‘Cause I’m all alone
Sexual healing, darling
Till you come back homePlease don’t procrastinate
It’s not good to masturbate