“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason’s signature  Produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, the song was released as a single in September 1964. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1965 and at number three on US Billboard’s R&B Singles chart. Up to that point, it was Gaye’s most successful single with record sales exceeding 900,000 copies. The song’s personnel includes Marvin Gaye on lead vocals; The Andantes on background vocals; and The Funk Brothers on various instruments, including piano and percussion. Gaye also released a German-language version of the song entitled “Wie Schön Das Ist”. Cash Box described it as “a medium-paced, rollicking chorus-backed ode about a fella who’s on top of the world since he met up with Miss Right.” AllMusic critic Jason Ankeny described the song as a “radiant pop confection,” noting that it was unusual for Gaye in being a “straightforward love song” that doesn’t reflect Gaye’s usual demons. Ankeny commented on the soulfulness of the song, and particularly noted the piano riff.  Gaye’s recording has subsequently been released on many greatest hits albums