The single has gone on to sell over 1 million copies, and, on June 25, 2007, was certified platinum in sales by the RIAA. At the time, the single was Motown's largest-selling recording ever, selling over four-million copies in 19. 'Let's Get It On' also became the second best-selling single of 1973, only surpassed in sales by Tony Orlando & Dawn's ' Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree'. The song became the biggest selling Motown release in the United States at the time, selling over two-million copies within the first six weeks of following its release. The single stayed inside the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for 13 weeks, 10 of those weeks inside the top five. In its first week at the top of the chart, 'Let's Get It On' replaced ' Brother Louie' by Stories, and was replaced by ' Delta Dawn' by Helen Reddy it later replaced 'Delta Dawn' and was finally knocked off the top of the chart by Grand Funk Railroad's ' We're an American Band'. The single remained at number 1 for two weeks, while also remaining at the top of the Billboard Soul Singles chart for eight weeks. 'Let's Get It On' became, and remains to this day, one of Gaye's as well Motown Records most successful singles, as it reached number 1 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart on September 8, 1973.

Their relationship would produce two children and a 1977 marriage. Hunter would become Gaye's live-in lover by 1974. Gaye and Hunter were said to be smitten with each other and, within months, they began dating. A widely reported story has been told that Hunter was in the studio when Gaye recorded the song at the recording booth. It has a running time of 5:12.ĭuring the time of the recording of the song and its subsequent album of the same name, Marvin had befriended the family of jazz guitarist Slim Gaillard and had become smitten with Gaillard's 17-year-old daughter, Janis Hunter. In 2001, when the album Let's Get It On was reissued by Motown as a two-disc deluxe edition release, the original demo that Gaye had recorded with lyrics by Kenneth Stover was included. Studio, which would consist of the rest of the album's material. The recording of the title track also inspired Gaye to revive previous recordings from his earlier 1970 sessions at the Hitsville U.S.A. The song was reprised on the fourth track of Let's Get It On as ' Keep Gettin' It On', which was a sequel and continuation of the original. Above all, it has Marvin Gaye's best singing at its center, fine background voices on the side, and a long, moody fade-out that challenges you not to play the cut again. But while the song centers around classically simple chord changes, the arrangement centers around a slightly eccentric rhythm pattern that deepens the song's power while covering it with a contemporary veneer. It begins with three great wah-wah notes that herald the arrival of a vintage Fifties melody.

'Let's Get It On' is a classic Motown single, endlessly repeatable and always enjoyable. In an article for Rolling Stone magazine, music critic Jon Landau wrote of the song: The album version of 'Let's Get It On' features soulful and emotional singing by Gaye that is backed by multi-tracked background vocals, also provided by Gaye, along with the song's signature, and most notable, funky guitar arrangements. Gaye and Townsend then collaborated on new lyrics and, using the original backing tracks as recorded, Gaye transformed the song into an emotional centerpiece.

Gaye confidante Kenneth Stover changed some of the words around as a political song and Gaye recorded the version as it was written, but Townsend protested that the song was not a politically conscious song but a song dedicated to love and sex. When originally conceived by Townsend, who was released from a rehab facility for alcoholism, it was written with a religious theme. While most people do say over with, it's not necessary.Co-written with producer Ed Townsend, 'Let's Get It On' was Gaye's plea for sexual liberation. The first usage dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1800s. It also is put as, as in I might as well sign the check and get it over with. For example, When I finally got the proofreading over, I was ready for a day off, or I'm glad to get all that dental work over with. The Atlantic did a whole article on getting things over with.Ĭomplete, have done with, especially something unpleasant. It means to do or finish, especially said of something unpleasant. Idioms sometimes develop through the strangest manners.

Lets get it done