This Marvin Gaye Song From 1968 Almost Wasn’t Released Before It Became His First No. 1 Hit

Marvin Gaye’s version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” was nearly held back from release, despite winning support at a Motown meeting. Berry Gordy favoured a more romantic song for Gaye, but the track later became his first US No. 1 hit.

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote the song in 1966, inspired by a phrase Strong heard in Chicago. Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded it first and took it to No. 2 in the US; about a year later, Gaye’s version, included on *In the Groove*, reached No. 1 and became Motown’s best-selling single at the time.