Too Busy Thinking About My Baby

Introduction

Too Busy Thinking About My Baby is a Motown classic by Marvin Gaye, first recorded by The Temptations and later reimagined by Gaye as a follow-up to his hit ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine‘.

Released in 1969, the song became one of Gaye’s biggest hits of the 1960s. With its upbeat, soulful melody and lyrics that express complete absorption in thoughts of love, the song captures the essence of devotion and joy. Gaye’s rendition stood out for its solid vocal delivery and phenomenal production, making it a beloved piece in his discography and the soul genre​​.

1. Marvin’s Version

Marvin Gaye’s version of Too Busy Thinking About My Baby peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at number one on the Black Singles Chart for six consecutive weeks in 1969.

Featuring background vocals by The Andantes and instrumentation by The Funk Brothers, Gaye’s cover was described as a medium-paced rock effort with an effective use of tom-toms. This rendition showcases Gaye’s ability to turn a simple love song into a soulful and immersive experience, further solidifying his status as a Motown legend​​.

2. Other Notable Versions and Covers

Originally recorded by The Temptations and covered by Jimmy Ruffin, ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby’ has seen various interpretations over the years. Other artists like Al Kooper, The Young Vandals, Mardi Gras, Elkie Brooks, Mark Everett, and The Manhattan Transfer featuring Phil Collins have also covered the song.

Each version brings a unique take to the song, highlighting its versatility and enduring appeal. These covers range from rock renditions to soulful interpretations, showcasing the song’s ability to resonate across different musical genres and eras​​.

3. Lyrics

Ah-ah-aaah, oh yeah… Oh listen to me people

I ain’t got time to think about money
Or what it can buy
And I ain’t got time to sit down and wonder
What makes a birdie fly

And I don’t have the time to think about
What makes a flower grow
And I’ve never given a second thought
To where the rivers flow

CHORUS:
Too busy thinking about my baby
And I ain’t got time for nothing else

Said, I ain’t got time to discuss the weather
How long it’s gonna last
And I ain’t got time to do no studies
Once I get out of class
Tellin ya I’m just a fellow
Said I got a one track mind
And when it comes to thinking about anything but my baby
I just don’t have any time

CHORUS

The diamonds and pearls in the world
Could never match her worth, no no
She’s some kind of wonderful, people tell ya
I got heaven right here on earth
I’m just a fellow
With a one, one track mind
And when it comes to thinkin’ about anything but my baby
I just don’t have any time

CHORUS

(yeah, she’s never hard to find
’cause she’s always on my mind)