Thursday Throwback is a weekly colour scheme inspired by an iconic album cover of yesteryear. This week’s throwback is the 1976 album “I Want You” by Marvin Gaye. The colours are as follows:
| Colours | HEX | RGB | HSB | CMYK | LAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour 1 | #B5AABF | 181, 170, 191 | 271, 11, 75 | 5, 10, 0, 25 | 71, 7, -9 |
| Colour 2 | #F0F2E9 | 240, 242, 233 | 73, 4, 95 | 0, 0, 3, 5 | 95, -2, 4 |
| Colour 3 | #F2B279 | 242, 178, 121 | 28, 50, 95 | 0, 26, 50, 5 | 77, 16, 38 |
| Colour 4 | #D98C5F | 217, 140, 95 | 22, 56, 85 | 0, 35, 56, 14 | 65, 24, 35 |
| Colour 5 | #BF3434 | 191, 52, 52 | 0, 73, 75 | 0, 72, 72, 25 | 43, 54, 33 |
The 14th studio album by American soul singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye, “I Want You,” was released on March 16, 1976, through Tamla/Motown. Following the critical and commercial success of his groundbreaking concept album “What’s Going On” (1971) and the landmark “Let’s Get It On” (1973), Gaye sought assistance from singer-songwriter Leon Ware to create an appropriate follow-up. Inspired by his tumultuous relationships and desire for emotional connection, Gaye poured his heart into the album’s lyrics and melodies. Collaborating with Ware, they crafted a sensual and sophisticated sound blending funk, soul, and jazz, resulting in a collection of raw, vulnerable songs that allowed listeners to connect with Gaye on a deeper level.
The album cover features Ernie Barnes’ painting “Sugar Shack,” depicting an African American music venue during the era of racial segregation. Gaye was introduced to Barnes’ work and purchased several originals, including “Sugar Shack,” which Barnes augmented with references to the album’s singles. Upon its release, “I Want You” was a commercial success, with the title track topping the Billboard Soul Singles chart and peaking at #15 on the Pop Singles chart. However, it received mixed reviews initially, likely due to the poor reception of disco music at the time, which influenced the album’s slightly disco-styled sound. Over time, “I Want You” has been recognised as one of Gaye’s most controversial and influential works, serving as a major influence on future R&B subgenres. Its seamless blend of sensuality and sophistication, coupled with Gaye’s ability to convey deep emotions, struck a chord with listeners. The album’s themes of love, desire, and longing resonated with audiences, making it a soundtrack for romance and introspection, and leaving a lasting impact on American urban music.
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