Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

Album: That Stubborn Kind Of Fellow (1963)
Charted: 46
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Producers at Motown were having a hard time getting Marvin to sing an upbeat song and put a little scream to it. So, according to a pioneering Motowner named Geno Parks, the label sort of tricked Marvin by telling him that he was singing this song as a demo for Parks. To Marvin's surprise, the company released the demo as an official song. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Hal - Atlanta, GA
  • "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" was Marvin Gaye's first major hit. It peaked at #46 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #8 on the Billboard Black Singles chart. It also marked the debut of the Vandellas (previously known as the Vels, later as Martha and the Vandellas), who continued to accompany Gaye on "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby," "Hitch Hike" and "Pride & Joy."
  • Record producer Phil Spector was so taken with "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," he said that he veered off the road when the song first came on his car radio.

Comments: 2

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 22nd 1962, Marvin Gaye performed his debut charted record*, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Eight days earlier on October 14th, 1962 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #98; and on November 25th, 1962 it peaked at #46 {for 1 week} and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
    Between 1962 and 1983 he had thirty-seven Top 100 records; thirteen made the Top 10 with three reaching #1; "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" for 7 weeks in 1968, "Let's Get It On" for 2 weeks in 1973, and "Got to Give It Up - Part One" for 1 week in 1977...
    He just missed having a fourth #1 record when "What's Going On" peaked at #2 {for 3 weeks} in 1971...
    Plus he made the Top 100 eighteen more times in duets; eleven times with Tammi Terrell, three times with Diana Ross, and two times each with Mary Wells and Kim Weston...
    R.I.P. Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. {1939 - 1984}...
    * His first three records did not make the Top 100 chart; "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide", "Sandman", and "Soldier's Plea".
  • John from New York, NyMartha & The Vandellas are singing backup on this song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.