HIP-HOP

Marvin Gaye's 30 Biggest Billboard Hits

4/1/2014 by Brad Wete

 Rob Verhorst/Getty Images
Marvin Gaye performs on stage at De Doelen in Rotterdam, Netherlands on July 1, 1980.

30 years ago today (April 1) Marvin Gaye was killed, shot dead by his father Marvin Gay, Sr. in his Los Angeles home. Gaye was one of Motown’s most soulful and socially aware artists, standing tall amongst peers and label mates like Stevie Wonder by igniting spirits with politically-charged cuts like “What’s Going On” and equally providing heat for intimate times with songs like “Let’s Get It On.”

Marvin Gaye: Biography

To celebrate his life, stellar output and the time he’s been away, here are his 30 top songs on the Hot 100 Singles chart. Revisit Marvin’s classic and maybe (re)discover a forgotten gem.

Methodology - This ranking is based on actual performance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The ranking is based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 having the greatest value and weeks at lower ranks proportionately less. Due to various changes in chart rules, methodology and depth through the years, songs have had reigns at No. 1 and on the chart of varying average lengths. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from all years, certain time frames were weighted to account for the differences in song turnover rates.

  1. 30

    "Music" (Erick Sermon sample) Peak Position: 22 | Peak Date: 7/14/2001

  2. 29

    "What's the Matter With You, Baby" Peak Position: 17 | Peak Date: 7/4/1964

  3. 28

    "Once Upon a Time" Peak Position: 19 | Peak Date: 6/6/1964

  5. 27

    "It Takes Two" Peak Position: 14 | Peak Date: 3/4/1967

  6. 26

    "Come Get To This" Peak Position: 21 | Peak Date: 12/15/1973

  7. 25

    "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Peak Position: 19 | Peak Date: 7/15/1967

  9. 24

    "Try It, Baby" Peak Position: 15 | Peak Date: 7/25/1964

  10. 23

    "You're a Wonderful One" Peak Position: 15 | Peak Date: 4/18/1964

  11. 22

    "Can I Get a Witness" Peak Position: 22 | Peak Date: 12/28/1963

  13. 21

    "My Mistake (Was to Love You)" Peak Position: 19 | Peak Date: 5/4/1974

  14. 20

    "I Want You" Peak Position: 15 | Peak Date: 6/26/1976

  15. 19

    "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" Peak Position: 9 | Peak Date: 11/6/1971

  17. 18

    "You're a Special Part of Me" with Diana Ross Peak Position: 12 | Peak Date: 11/17/1973

  18. 17

    "I'll Be Doggone" Peak Position: 8 | Peak Date: 5/15/1965

  19. 16

    "Pride and Joy" Peak Position: 10 | Peak Date: 7/20/1963

  21. 15

    "That's the Way Love Is" Peak Position: 7 | Peak Date: 10/18/1969

  22. 14

    "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" Peak Position: 10 | Peak Date: 1/20/1968

  23. 13

    "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" Peak Position: 8 | Peak Date: 5/25/1968

  25. 12

    "You're All I Need to Get By" Peak Position: 7 | Peak Date: 9/14/1968

  26. 11

    "Ain't That Peculiar" Peak Position: 8 | Peak Date: 11/20/1965

  27. 10

    "Trouble Man" Peak Position: 7 | Peak Date: 2/3/1973

  29. 9

    "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" Peak Position: 6 | Peak Date: 1/30/1965

  30. 8

    "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" Peak Position: 4 | Peak Date: 8/21/1971

  31. 7

    "Your Precious Love" Peak Position: 5 | Peak Date: 11/4/1967

  33. 6

    "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" Peak Position: 4 | Peak Date: 6/28/1969

  34. 5

    "What's Going On" Peak Position: 2 | Peak Date: 4/10/1971

  35. 4

    "Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1)" Peak Position: 1 | Peak Date: 6/25/1977

  37. 3

    "Sexual Healing" Peak Position: 3 | Peak Date: 1/29/1983

  38. 2

    "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" Peak Position: 1 | Peak Date: 12/14/1968

  39. 1

    "Let's Get It On" Peak Position: 1 | Peak Date: 9/8/1973