Who Did It Better? - Gladys Knight & the Pips vs. Marvin Gaye (1967/1968)

Uknowhowwedo. Listen to both songs, then share your thoughts in the comments section. Marvin comes in at 2:45 mark
#####
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966. The first recording of the song to be released was produced by Whitfield for Gladys Knight & the Pips and released as a single in September 1967; it went to number two in the Billboard chart.
The Miracles first recorded the song on August 16, 1966[1] and included their version on their 1968 album, Special Occasion. The Marvin Gaye version was placed on his 1968 album In the Groove, where it gained the attention of radio disc jockeys, and Motown founder Berry Gordy finally agreed to its release as a single in October 1968, when it went to the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for seven weeks from December 1968 to January 1969 and became for a time the biggest hit single on the Motown label (Tamla).
The Gaye recording has since become an acclaimed soul classic, and in 2004, it was placed 81 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. On the commemorative fortieth anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 issue of Billboard magazine in June 2008, Marvin Gaye's "Grapevine" was ranked sixty-fifth. It was also inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant" value.
In addition to being released several times by Motown artists, the song has been recorded by a range of musicians including Creedence Clearwater Revival, who made an eleven-minute interpretation for their 1970 album, Cosmo's Factory; and has been used twice in television commercials - each time using session musicians recreating the style of the Marvin Gaye version: the 1985 Levi's commercial, "Launderette", featuring male model Nick Kamen, and the 1986 California raisins promotion with Buddy Miles as the singer for the clay animation group The California Raisins.
#####
Reelblack's mission is to educate, elevate, entertain enlighten, and empower through Black film. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at [e-mail] and [e-mail] with details and it will be promptly removed.

[@arthurfigueroa5001]

The art of music, music that endures through the ages is the gift. Embrace the joy that ALL music has to power to spread throughout our land.

[@tandt7694]

Marvin had a knack for making you feel and believe whatever he was singing about. His music transcended performance and was/is an experience.

[@ms.payton1458]

I love both versions, I can't choose just one 😖😖😍😍

[@kelamo7067]

Same with their hits End Of Our Road

[@debraalfred-williams7344]

I like both. Different styles, but they are equally great.

[@wethepplwhorblackerthanblu6442]

Call me a knucklehead but I did not know that these were 2 of the same songs Until just now

[@leebutz4727]

​@@wethepplwhorblackerthanblu6442knucklehead 😁

[@mythreerosebuds1128]

Marvin the legend 🎶🎼🎤🎶

[@gregoryldismukes]

Gladys and the Pips gave an good effort, but the smoothness of Marvin Gaye voice is untouchable.

[@DavidRichardson95]

Both Gladys and Marvin bring different energies. Gladys' version was more gospel-inflected, similar to Aretha's "Respect" and Marvin's was more mellow and haunting, something out of a horror flick. Marvin takes this round. #RIPMarvinGaye

[@everettwilson1416]

Equal I like them both. I heard her's first.

[@amehka5416]

Love them both.

[@viralbuthow000]

I listen to both depending on the mood. One thing is certain -- James Jamerson's bass playing was groundbreaking and simply amazing.

[@iluvrachellef]

BEST to ever do it. 🎸🎸🎸

[@hornet718]

No contest. They both added their unique spin to this song. Both are fabulous!!!

[@luvbunny1237]

I love Gladys Knights version but both are amazing. Gladys Knight is one of my alll time favorite artists.

[@raystaar]

Marvin, hands down. I was driving along the Sunset Strip when I first heard his version. I had to pull over to devote all my attention to it.

[@filiciaallen5358]

Lol.😂. . I feel ya. And i agree with u.. love them both but Marvin did this hands down. .

[@jasonstewart650]

Gladys and the Pips is fun and energetic, but Marvin's vocal on HITGV is Top 10 all time in modern music. Even more impressive because he flat hated the song.

[@PGTransformed]

I loved them both!!!

[@paulhightower9642]

Gladys Knight is one of my top five favorite female vocalist and she did very well with this song but that Marvin yo that's a bad boy

[@Qoreay]

"Marvin? Is that Marvin?" ~Baby Boy 😂

[@MegafunkDancer]

Grew up with Marvin rendition ♥️

[@finitewonder4978]

Marvin's intro is awesome. Then his opening notes... Oh my goodness. TKO.

[@joelok48]

I VERY clearly remember listening to Gladys sing this for the first time in my car the week it was released. I know I was driving to work in Arlington VA and where exactly I was on the road. 45 years ago. Awesome.

[@joelok48]

@Jo Face LOL! Yes.

[@rahgaborx7809]

Love them both but Marvin Gaye brought it home.

[@milaechevarria4141]

Ohhh lord Marvin was from another planet!!!!

[@stevie68a]

You won't believe this, but I helped Gladys' version become a hit! In 1967, I was at a club called One Eyed Jacks in Queens. A radio DJ, Dandy Dan Daniels was there. I loved this song because of the dance beat being perfect. When I asked about this song, he said, "We played it but it didn't go anywhere. In the next few weeks, I heard it on his channel, and it became a huge it. I was 17 at the time, and am now 69! BTW, both versions are brilliant. Really two different songs in a way.

[@PeterByker]

Great story! Thanks for sharing! and hey, never stop requesting good music!

[@jbennett3794]

Dope story! Thank you very much.

[@kelamo7067]

So you gave Gladys her first Motown hit! But she was hurt that Marvin re recorded it in a different version the very next yr. Hers went to no. 2 while his topped the chart at no. 1

[@kevincook7218]

Come on man this is my time Marvin Gaye all day memories come from this song!!!!

[@Selena-T629]

They BOTH tore it up. Love both versions. Gladys took it to church of you know what I mean. Marvin was chillaxing in his version. Gotta love em both.

[@michaelcates56]

Gladys and The Pips! The hard hitting drums in this song just lift it up to another level! Marvin"s version more laid back!

[@albertrogers5604]

Both are great 👍

[@lorannharris9034]

Marvin's intro slays. Gets you feeling " some sort a way".

[@horizontoday7874]

Well, just for the record, Gladys admits to liking Marvin’s version better

[@kennethtaylor9999]

Love them i can not choose. Both of the songs are great.

[@shakkamusa2366]

Gladys Knight and the Pips did a great job as always but man, Marvin took it to a whole new level as he always does. He's Mr. Cool personified and can make you feel whatever he wants you to feel when he sings.

[@thomaswashington6484]

They both are classic and they both will last until the end of time

[@charleswilliams8248]

Both of them is really classics, two different interpretations of a great song! I love both songs!

[@jbennett3794]

they are both great gifts to humanity. Gladys' version of midnight train to Georgia makes me tear up.

[@wordtoyomanner9199]

Love me some Gladys Knight emotionally intense vocals..But feeling Marvin's pain more...

[@blackcougar1959]

Back in the day, in my household it was Marvin Gaye's rendition hands down

[@crucialtymes7305]

I need to hear both back to back but Black radio in L.A. ain't what it used to be. My personal playlists get regular workouts tho!

[@iluvrachellef]

I was barely being born 🤣🤣🤣

[@NTakaNiggatron]

Marvin Gaye; I still enjoy Gladys Knight and the Pips’ version, but it’s sole purpose was to basically combat Aretha Franklins’ “Respect” as it sounds like it. Marvin Gaye’s arrangement is more original, chilling, and legendary.

[@1talldaddy]

the funny thing is Marvin's version was recorded first.but Smokey Robinson and the Miracles actually recorded the original version which Marvin's version was based on.

[@1talldaddy]

@Stanley Draper actually what NT 2002 {aka Niggatron} is referring to is songwriter Norman Whitfield actually saying he wanted Gladys Knight and the Pips version of Grapevine to out funk Aretha Franklin's Respect.

[@NTakaNiggatron]

@1talldaddy I learned something new. I’ve never heard of the Miracles’ recording until recently, since it was never a single. @1talldaddy and @Stanley Draper I actually was referring to Norman Whitfield’s comment on wanting to “out-funk” Aretha Franklin’s cover of “Respect” when I compared Gladys Knight and the Pips’ version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” to it. It’s true that their version was released before Marvin Gaye’s, but his was indeed recorded first. Berry Gordy just rejected it at the time.

[@1talldaddy]

@@NTakaNiggatron actually the Miracles recorded the song first in 1966,then Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight and Pips last.but everything else is true.and you should also hear the original version Beauty's Only Skin Deep by Miracles.

[@1talldaddy]

@Stanley Draper yeah Aretha wasn't to fond of Natalie when she started winning the Grammy for best R&B song an award that was pretty much the Aretha award.lol

[@lovelybyfar]

For me, there is no choosing one over the other!!! I absolutely love both versions.

[@Five.catsno.dogs2]

lovem both

[@MsNini-sw2jn]

Bubba Knight himself said that Marvin did it better during his interview with Tom Meros. Gladys & The Pips did a great job but Marvin put the soul on it. I love that they were able to sing it together on stage.

[@Tiberius291]

I remember both as a kid growing up, I like both versions. The raisin commercial used Marvin Gaye's version though.

[@SpiritedSagi]

Gotta go with Marvin on this one.

[@eddieboggs8306]

Either were better than what passes for music today.

[@CRYPTICB3AUTY]

Marvin Gaye.

[@datapro007]

Love them both. I'm a huge Marvin fan, but hey, they're both phenomenal.

[@TheCaitypooh]

As a kid I loved Gladys but as I grew older I started to appreciate the soul in Marvin version! Now as a middle age person I LOVED BOTH!

[@grantbarnes6004]

Better rhythm section on Gladys Knight version but man, Marvin had that grit in his voice that was unmistakable.

[@choneyb54]

OMG REELBLACK!! YOU REALLY GETTING DOWN WITH IT!!😊 I LOVE THEM BOTH!! 👍👍👍 MY GIRL GLAYDES & 👍👍👍 MY BROTHER MARVIN!! THIS IS TO TOUGH!! 💃💃💃I'VE DANCED OFF BOTH😊 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌠 FOR BOTH 2020 ALL TIME FAVE!!

[@PeterByker]

Gladys' Knight's version is terrific and energetic, but Marvin Gaye's is as serious as a heart attack. It's a rare example of total artistic perfection, so much so, that it changed America in an instant when it was first heard and has since been elevated forever as a Standard in the Great American Songbook. P.S. U.K. punk band *The Slits* made an insane but awesome cover of "I Heard it Through the Grape Vine", worth a listen! Thanks @reelblack, I love your channel!

[@iluvrachellef]

BOTH VERSIONS ARE EQUALLY WONDERFUL ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🎙🎙🎧🎧🎶🎶👍🏾👍🏾

[@yvettek1585]

Both was very good 👍

[@gwendolynhalloran380]

There's a KZbin out there of Gladys and Marvin singing this together, and about halfway through Marvin goes back and sings with the Pips. I don't know what that means, but it's something else.

[@easyon12]

I grew up rockin Marvin Gaye's version. I only discovered Gladys Knight and the PiPs version about a year ago on KZbin and I've been rockin that version ever since. Two different vibes. Gladys Knight and the Pips is more upbeat and their live back in the day performances on KZbin is what SOUL is all about. Its a Tie.

[@doncnunez6231]

Both are Legends but i always loved Gladys up tempo version!! As a kid this was the jam my parents grooved to in the basement parties (Grown Folks) !!

[@waynedexter]

Not to take away from Gladys’ magnificence but this round goes to Marvin

[@winfredlove9068]

Gladys Knight and the Pips , Indeed a , Great Legendary and I , Do Love Her or Them Very Much , but , I Must be Honest , Marvin Gaye is , One of the , Greatest Ever , and He Songed With More , Raw - Soul and Raw - Passion .

[@lenabrown3930]

Who can choose it's to close I like both versions !

[@crucialtymes7305]

REELBLACK CHANNEL IS THE TRUTH!! 👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾👏🏾✊🏾 Loved both equally. Gladys/Pips up tempo for gettin ya 4 corners crackin lol. Marvin for tryna soul sang in front of the bathroom mirror🎤😄 I was 9/10 when these 'sides' came out📻

[@geerowr.6666]

Gladys and the PIPS said MARVIN did it better! Fact

[@funnypetvideos3155]

Incomparable. Two different styles and different moods. Both equally boss of their own dimension

[@maiat5643]

💯

[@autumnsmom1117]

They both are good, but #MarvinGaye took it to another level. I even heard #GladysKnight make a comment about this record. The late great Mr. Marvin Gaye's version went to the top.🎶🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🕴🏽💖🔥

[@craigbusick9676]

Marvin, but the Gladys version sure id funky.Love 'em both.

[@REDD_BLITZ]

Love both versions. Two different vibes. Two different grooves.

[@GIGI-hz7ps]

I had both, love both. Apples and oranges

[@sharonasher4412]

i love the song when gladys and her cousins released it. everyone was singing it. gladys released it first so gladys gets more of my vote. marvin, mercy, mercy me, o things aren't like they used to be.

[@ClearYourMindTravel]

Gladys added energy and Marvin made it smooth.

[@sandramorris420]

I’ll have to go with Gladys Knight & The Pips, So Soulful!!! 1967

[@MrDarkElement]

Both produced by Norman Whitfield who also recorded the same cut with the Temptations on the "Cloud Nine" album; Eddie Kendricks lead vocal. I like' m all. Norman Whitfield was in a league of his own. Hail to the Funk Brothers, Adelentes and Paul Riser. Hard as my life was this music got me through the terror. Vietnam era.

[@dreemeagle]

Norman Whitfield DESTROYED Motown with his crossover crap;

[@arnoldfarrar]

both are equally good

[@SPTO]

Both are great but Marvin's get the slight nod. I kind of wish Marvin lived long enough to see the revival of the Motown Era in the late '80s because he and Gladys did a nice "combo" version on a Dick Clark special. I think if they had done that arrangement on vinyl it'd be HOT.

[@wethepplwhorblackerthanblu6442]

Cannot and will not choose one over the other BOTH of them are dynamite🧨🎆 PS. I really did not know that they were the same song I was 10 years old when both of them came out so naturally I thought they were different Talk about a fresh approach to the same thing.. WOW 👌

[@ClearYourMindTravel]

Well I like them both. They both did it well and added their own flavor to it.

[@stantheman6411]

Marvin was just in another world compared to others.... His gift was Judea... "A TRUE HEBREW ISRAELITE "!!!!!! :)

[@jeromelockhart5454]

Both are legendary performances, but Marvin gets the nod

[@themotownboy1]

I always loved Gladys and the Pips’ version just a bit more than Marvin’s. Both are absolute classics.

[@shirleyandersonbey9409]

I like BOTH.

[@vinmarz]

This is a tough one. I love the soul of Gladys and smoothness only Marvin can present. But I think how Gladys starts out with the upbeat is clever. Either way.....those California Raisins love both versions.

[@sunshinesunflowerz1647]

Vin Mar Ha! I was actually looking for a California Raisin comment. 😂

[@iluvrachellef]

Lol circa 1988 or so.

[@vinmarz]

@@sunshinesunflowerz1647 Those California Raisins had so much soul to be dehydrated fruit.

[@jfjoubertquebec]

I believe James Jamerson played on both tracks. Amaaaaazing.

[@sombersojourner5825]

Gladys may have recorded it first and it may have originally been meant as an upbeat an lighthearted dance number but Marvin put all his hurt and despair into it and made it an anthem.

[@neraddyolf9141]

Smoke Robinson and the Miracles recorded the song first. Marvin Gaye second. Gladys and Pips third. Motown release Gladys and the Pips first.

[@Sweet-as-banana]

Marvin, this isn’t even a contest for me. There is way more emotion. You feel the pain.

[@dejavue54]

Like them both...but I'm go with Marvin on this on ❤❤

[@mgconlan]

Gladys Knight and the Pips' version was a huge hit in 1967. A year later Marvin Gaye and the Funk Brothers were jamming on "Grapevine" when Motiwn president Berry Gordy stopped by the studio and heard the makings of a new and different hit on the same song. Motown artists frequently recorded each other's songs since Gordy's publishing company, Jobete Music, owned them all, but this was the only time Gordy released singles of the same song by different artists within a year of each other. When I first heard Marvin's I didn't care for it much but over the years I've grown to like it better (not that that's taking anything away from Gladys's version). Incidentally there's a third version by the white rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, but it's hardly in the same league.

[@mrsoul930]

Marvin this Man put deep soul in this song. If you listen to him he would have you checking on Wife cell phone who that text from Ha Ha !!

[@kellynorvell5714]

I think it's a tie straight down the line. Gladys Knight and the Pips (a song for taking a nice drive with family and/or friends) Marvin Gaye (a song for chilling at a family barbecue or enjoying a nice drink at a local bar). Music is a universal gift.

[@v.a.993]

Agree.

[@macmac7396]

Marvin much smoother version... I can cruise too it

[@michaell8722]

Gladys made this a great song, however Marvin’s voice took this song to another level...

[@tailor-mademedia1406]

This is a tough call, Mike. If I'm not mistaken, Ms. Gladys did it first. But, Marvin threw down on his version as well.

[@reelblack]

It’s interesting if you read the description. Smokey’s version was recorded first and its arrangement is similar to Marvin’s. Norman Whitfield had a way with flipping his own material.

[@tailor-mademedia1406]

@@reelblack I'll have to read the description, Mike. I remember them both being out when I was a kid. Maybe I leaned Ms. Gladys' way on the versioning because I've been to her house. Her son, Jimmy, and I were high school football teammates before they moved to Vegas. I also knew Chetleigh Knight and Bubba Knight Jr. Those are her nephews. We all went to school together.

[@tailor-mademedia1406]

@@reelblack BTW, I knew an "Angela Whitfield". In 7th grade. I don't know if Norman Whitfield is/was her cousin. But, Detroit is really a small town for Black folk. I'll have to ask.

[@horizontoday7874]

@@reelblack Smokey and Marvin did a similar style and Gladys and the Temptations did a similar style

[@josephbell1060]

I like them both, almost equally. One of my favorites by Gladys, but Marvin did a live solo version on the Hollywood Palace tv show that showcased his talents.

[@valmi4144]

MARVIN !!!!!!

[@DBMe33]

Marvin 😆 Wow, I just had a flashback to the video that they put out around 1983/84 of Marvin's version with the dancers in a school/library setting. So he wasnt even in it. I remember trying to 'get it.' The storyline 'dance play' seemed odd. Its still odd actually lol. Its funny the stuff that stands out & stays with u when u r a kid & u encounter new things.

[@chasettetyson7901]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Rebecca-se3fu]

Marvin Gaye has the edge, despite Gladys Knight's immense talent. MG's version gives me goosebumps.

[@lesthebest3171]

Gladys had the first release but Marvin recorded it first and every one at Motown knew this was the greatest version and when it was finally released the world agreed.

[@Retired2021]

Every time i heard Marvin Gaye version i see the commercial for California raisins

[@ruminantmelanoid5444]

Gladys Knight & the Pips tossed a hand grenade. Marvin Gaye detonated a nuclear warhead. Gladys sang a damn good song. Marvin made me feel the situation.

[@DetroitLives313]

I loved both versions. I heard Gladys Knight & the Pips version first and it is my most favorite version of ANY that came out afterwards!

[@laurameyer7285]

MARVIN GAYE!!!!🥰

[@dreemeagle]

Gladys is old-fashioned R&B okeh, but Marvin turned this into a haunting worldwide wakeup call; easy to see how his wailing arrangement and call and response with his female trio inspired Bob Marley;

[@evonza4858]

Both🥰❤️🖤💚🥰

[@pamelastephens9948]

This is my era of music. Gladys & the Pips version was upbeat & dance worthy. On the other hand, Marvin's version was sultry & sexy. He was pleading for truth from his girl. Love both versions. I will not put one above the other. Just sayin'......

[@Mcfishsandwhichandfries]

I like the slow build up by Marvin Gaye

[@profoundja9598]

Marvin got that groove to it

[@asamarisimeon2418]

Both work for me✊🏿✔️