God Is Love (Marvin Gaye)

"God is Love" is a 1971 song written by Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, James Nyx and Elgie Stover and recorded by Marvin for his What's Going On album. The song was a return of sorts to Gaye's religious background dedicating this song to God and his father, Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr. The song was originally recorded as the b-side to "What's Going On" shortly after that song was recorded. The original 45" version of "What's Going On" included a slower, string-laden version of this song as its b-side. The song was later retooled in a more joyous, faster version brought on after the success of "What's Going On" as a hit song. It also ended in a much faster and abrupt tone leading into the album's next single, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)". The original version has since been re-issued on several greatest-hits sets and re-issues of the album.