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Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye Paperback – January 18, 2005

by Michael Eric Dyson (Author)

32 customer reviews

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The best-selling Motown artist of all time, Marvin Gaye defined the hopes and shattered dreams of an entire generation. Twenty years after his tragic death-he was shot by his father-his relevance persists because of the indelible mark his outsized talent left on American culture. A transcendent performer whose career spanned the history of rhythm and blues, from doo-wop to the sultriest of soul music, Gaye's artistic scope and emotional range set the soundtrack for America's tumultuous coming of age in the 1970s. Michael Eric Dyson's searching narrative illuminates Marvin Gaye's stellar ascendance-from a black church in Washington, D.C., to the artistic peak of What's Going On?-and charts his sobering personal decline. Dyson draws from interviews with those closest to Gaye to paint an intimate portrait of the tensions and themes that shaped contemporary urban America: racism, drug abuse, economic adversity, and the long legacy of hardship. Gaye's stormy relationships with women, including duet partner Tammi Terrell and wives Anna Gordy and Janis Hunter, are examined in light of the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Dyson also considers family violence in the larger context of the African-American life and how that heartbreaking legacy resulted in Gaye's murder. Mercy, Mercy, Me is an unforgettable portrait of a beloved black genius whose art is reflected in the dynamism of contemporary urban America.

Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye

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Product Details

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Basic Civitas Books (January 18, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465017703
ISBN-13: 978-0465017706
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.8 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #89 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Soul
- #126 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Rhythm & Blues
- #840 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > African-American & Black

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Customer Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		41%
4 star		22%
3 star		9%
2 star		6%
1 star		22%

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Top Customer Reviews

A biography and social criticism combined

By Reginald D. Garrard VINE VOICE on July 2, 2004

Format: Hardcover

"In his guttural cries, his hectic moans, his elliptical ejaculations, and his plaintive whispers, Marvin explores the healing and redemptive dimensions of black romantic love."
- From page 132 of "Mercy, Mercy Me"
Man, does Dyson have a way with words!
I guess that I am one of those "public intellectuals" that finds Dyson's analyses of both Gaye's life and the social ills plaguing the black community so intriguing. Dyson, a minister himself, contrasts Gaye's life as a popular secular singer with his strict Pentacostal upbringing at the hands of his stern minister-father. The struggle that the singer endured played an important part in his music and the book dissects four of the artist's most challenging and enigmatic works: the classic and legendary "What's Going On", "Let's Get It On", "I Want You" and the controversial "Here, My Dear".
The author cuts down each album, layer by layer, revealing Gaye as a man in constant turmoil with the battle between his religious teachings and his desires as a man. Dyson also introduces the reader to many lost versions of Gaye's work, now coming to light in "deluxe editions" available for purchase.
Unlike most "men of the cloth", Dyson's approach is destined to draw criticism from traditional Christians for he suggests a greater openness in sexual matters, as well as less dependency on corporal punishment as a means of child-rearing. He implies that stiff and unbending Church doctrine may have contributed to Marvin's death at the hands of his preacher father.
The final chapter of the book compares Gaye's music and approach to life with the contemporary singer R. Kelly, an admirer of Gaye himself. This provides some interesting food for thought, as the two singers seem to share a bond transcending death and decades.Read more ›

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For the musicologist or sociologist, but not the rest of us

By Jason Cooper on January 20, 2005

Format: Hardcover

Dyson has written a fascinating analysis of the life and career of the late Marvin Gaye, a book that will appeal even to readers who don't know Gaye's music all that well. That having been said, this is a weighty tome, which touches on the religious, cultural and social influences of the black community and how they shaped the singer.

For example, in examining the effect of childhood abuse on Gaye, Dyson traces the problem of domestic violence in the black family to slavery. While this is an interesting discussion, it sways quite a bit from the book's star. Some readers will find these diversions tedious.

Because Gaye's relationship with Motown founder Berry Gordy is discussed at length, anyone who has studied the studio and its music will find something of interest here. References to the black church and family will ensure this book's place in programs of African-American study. Finally, the last chapter is in large part about present-day soul star R. Kelly. Dyson's discussion of how both men merged concepts of spirituality and sexuality within their music is interesting. In short, this book is a real find for a musicologist or sociologist, but it's not a biography "for the rest of us."

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Analyzing Marvin....

By Patrice J. Jackson on May 19, 2004

Format: Hardcover

Upon fist glance, one would think this was another of many biographies on the legend that is, Marvin Gaye. This is not a biography however, but an analytical look at the life of Mr. Gaye; what made him do what he did, sing what he sang, and feel the way he felt. In an essence, Mr. Dyson disects events in Marvin's life to show what it was that made Marvin tick; what made him fall in love with the women that he fell in love with, and what made him rebel.
This book has surprises- one in particular that we all wondered about for some time. There is also an interesting parallel made between Marvin and another modern day singer, R. Kelly, that will surprise some readers. There are references to other Marvin Gaye biographies (Divided Soul by David Ritz; My Brother, Marvin Gaye by Frankie Gaye; and Trouble Man by Steve Turner, just to name a few), which are good for the readers who haven't read many books on Marvin, or want to know more about him outside of his music.
Michael Eric Dyson did a good job on bringing forth the "inner" Marvin, and revealing sides to him that weren't often documented prior to the release of this book.
A wonderful read for the die hard Marvin fan- such as myself- and those who want to know more about the spirit behind the music.

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The Man and His Music: A Critical Analysis

By Dera R Williams VINE VOICE on August 8, 2004

Format: Hardcover

Michael Eric Dyson is known for his critical analysis of such public African American figures as Martin Luther King and Tupac Shakur. He has also delighted his fans with an ode to black women in Why I Love Black Women. In this body of work, Mercy Mercy Me, he explores the arts loves and demons of Marvin Gaye, one of the greatest singers of all time. This however, is not a biography in the traditional sense of how biographies are usually constructed. While accounts of Gaye's life from birth to death are chronicled, this writing is more of an analysis of the life of a man who essentially plotted his own death. When Gaye's father pulled the trigger in April 1984, twenty years ago, ironically the gun was the one he gave his father for protection.

Marvin Gaye was a genius, born to a fanatically religious father who ruled his home and family as a dictator. He was cruel, issuing beatings for the smallest infraction to both his wife and children. While the others buckled under the heat, Marvin, the most talented, rebelled and received the lion's share of punishment. He both loved and reviled his father, who was sexually deviated, yet proclaimed to be holier than thou. Marvin was a victim of his total upbringing, a loving, beaten down-trodden mother who coddled him and a sadistic father, who withheld his love. We learn of the psychological and emotional background of his Pentecostal father, Rev. Marvin P. Gaye and of what really went on behind the scenes.

Marvin loved women; he married Berry Gordy's sister, Anna, but it was a troubled marriage complicated by their age differences and her inability to have children. Yet, a son was produced--- that was Marvin's child-- sanctioned by the Gordys who had their own code of conduct for living that did not adhere to society's acceptable rules.Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

This book goes right up there with the best of them

I have been an avid reader of all the biographies about Motown stars. This book goes right up there with the best of them. This was very good reading and very entertaining.

Published 2 months ago by Carol

... why things happened to Marvin that can only be best described as

Dyson inserts his own opinion on why things happened to Marvin that can only be best described as, "Off the Wall!"

Published 7 months ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

As a fan of Marvin Gaye enjoyed learning more about his life, unfortunately cut short too soon.

Published 13 months ago by Marilyn E. Carlson-Swafford

Not that good of a read.

The book is more of a psychologists opinion and evaluation of Marvin Gaye. There is only a MENTION of the children that he fathered. Read more

Published on March 16, 2014 by Bob J. O'Toole

In-depth account of Marvin's genius

I just started reading the book and the words come to life. The author's detailed description of Marvin's creative process and the interviews are astounding. Read more

Published on August 10, 2013 by Monica Harbison

A Waste of Time

I had this book for a number of years and had not read it now I know why. The author's adulation of Gaye is admirable but cannot sustain an entire book. Read more

Published on May 25, 2013 by M. Park

All Over The Place

This was so hard to follow. I have attempted to read this book without skipping pages 3 times! It is not giving much giving much details about Marvin's life at all, it jumps from... Read more

Published on April 2, 2013 by shlynn

My Friend Was Pleased

I ordered it on behalf of a friend who wanted this book as a birthday gift for someone else. I had it shipped to her house and it arrived before time. Read more

Published on January 21, 2013 by mear72

A Great Find and by now well-known author

Surprising facts and insight into this man's life and his tragic death. His life was marked by disappointment and courage, yet kept striving toward his success...

Published on January 4, 2013 by Marilyn Carlson-Swafford

Looking at a legend...

in a new way. Creativity like Marvin Gaye's comes from many sources, especially when he had so many difficult relationships, with women, his family, and with himself. Read more

Published on July 5, 2012 by E. Jahneke

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