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Come Live with Me Angel
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Wikipedia article
"'Come Live with Me Angel'" (sometimes written "'Come Live with Me, Angel'") is a song co-written by singer-songwriter Leon Ware, lyricist Jacqueline Dalya-Hilliard and singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye (uncredited). It was released first by Gaye on his 1976 album 'I Want You'.
Background
The original title of the song was "'Comfort'". It was first recorded by Ware with singer Minnie Ripertion as a duet, with plans to release it as a single and include it in Ware's 'Musical Massage' album. At Gaye's house, Gaye was in a room listening to music, and Ware was in a different room playing an unreleased record that had three duets Ware did with Riperton. Gaye reportedly heard it through the wall and came to Ware and asked him, What is that youre playing? Ware replied, Its my new album.
Subsequently, Ware invited Gaye to listen to the record, and soon enough, the inspired Gaye convinced Ware to give him the songs for his upcoming album, promising that he would "do the whole thing." Ware willingly agreed. Though it was never explicitly stated, one of the songs they listened to could've been the original version of "Come Live With Me, Angel".
Composition
The song is in the key of B minor. The influences of the song derived from jazz and r&b/soul, which was Ware's usual songwriting style.
Recording
The backing track on Gaye's version is the same one used on Ware's original version. Gaye's version featured his signature multi-tracked vocals on top of the backing track.
Re-recording
In 1995, a re-recorded version of "Come Live With Me, Angel" by Ware was featured on his album 'Taste The Love' as the album's opening track.
Releases
In 2001, UK label Expansion Records made Ware's 'Musical Massage' album available on CD for the first time. The CD included previously unreleased tracks, including the original version of "Come Live With Me, Angel". Motown then followed suit by releasing their own pressing of the album in 2003.
Motown never issued Gaye's version of the song as a single in Gaye's lifetime, but in 2016, Universal Music Japan and Captain Vinyl released "Come Live With Me, Angel" alongside Meli'sa Morgan's original version of "Fool's Paradise" on 7-inch vinyl exclusively to the Japanese market.
Cover versions
In 1994, South African singer Audrey Motaung covered "Come Live With Me, Angel" on her album 'Colours Can't Clash.'
In 2003, hip hop/rap group G-Unit sampled "Come Live With Me, Angel" on their song "Wanna Get to Know You" from their album 'Beg for Mercy.'
In 2012, American musician Mndsgn sampled "Come Live With Me, Angel" on his song "Yahlubba(nu)" from his album 'Feels.'
Personnel
Gaye's version:
* Lead and background vocals by Marvin Gaye
* Instrumentation by various studio musicians
* Orchestral arrangements by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson
* Rhythm arrangements by Leon Ware
* Produced by Leon Ware, Marvin Gaye, Hal Davis, Berry Gordy, Jr.
References
Category:Marvin Gaye songs
Category:Songs written by Leon Ware
Category:1976 songs
Category:Jazz-funk songs
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