"Midnight Love" is the seventeenth and final studio album by renowned American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on October 1, 1982, by Columbia Records, it marked Gaye's first album since he moved from Motown to Columbia. The album was notable for including Gaye's final big hit, "Sexual Healing," which won the singer his first two Grammy Awards.
The album showcased Gaye's departure from the Motown sound of his previous work, in favor of more funk, soul, and electronic elements. The songs deal with themes of love, romance, and sexual relationships, marking a return to the deeply personal and introspective lyrics for which Gaye was known.
Recorded in Ostend, Belgium (where Gaye was living in exile after facing tax evasion charges in the U.S.), and produced solely by himself, the album was a commercial success. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200, his highest-charting album since 1973's "Let's Get It On". It ultimately achieved multi-platinum status, signifying sales of over two million copies in the U.S.
"Midnight Love" received critical acclaim for its mature subject matter, innovative production, and the emotional depth of Gaye's performances. It has since been cited as a landmark in the evolution of R&B music. Furthermore, the album's success marked a triumphant end to Gaye's illustrious, troubled career, as he tragically died just two years after its release.
