Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Rodriguez
Vocals
Dennis Coffey
Electric Guitar
Mike Theodore
Keyboards
Gordon Staples
Orchestra Leader
Andrew Louis Smith
Drums
Bob Pangborn
Percussion
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Strings
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Marvin Gaye
Songwriter
Nyx Nyx
Songwriter
Dennis Coffey
Arranger
Mike Theodore
Brass Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Dennis Coffey
Producer
Mike Theodore
Producer
Milan Bogdan
Recording Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Going down a dirty inner city side road, I plotted
Madness passed me by, she smiled, "Hi", I nodded
Looked up as the sky began to cry, she shot it
[Verse 2]
Met a girl from Dearborn, early six o'clock this morn
A cold fact
Asked about her bag, suburbia's such a drag, won't go back
'Cause papa don't allow no new ideas here
And no he sees the news, but the picture is not too clear
[Verse 3]
Mama, papa, stop, treasure what you got
Soon you may be caught without it
The curfew's set for eight
Will it ever all be straight, I doubt it
[Verse 4]
Seven jealous fools playing by her rules, can't believe her
He feels so in between, can't break the scene
It would grieve her
And that's the reason why he must cry
He'll never leave her
[Verse 5]
Crooked children, yellow chalk, writing on the concrete walk
Their king died
[Verse 6]
Drinking from a Judas cup, looking down but seeing up
Sweet red wine
[Verse 7]
'Cause papa don't allow no new ideas here
And now you hear the music
But the words don't sound to clear
[Verse 8]
Mama, papa, stop, treasure what you got
Soon you may be caught without it
[Verse 9]
The curfew's set for eight
Will it ever all be straight, I doubt it
[Verse 10]
Going down a dusty Georgian side road, I wonder
The wind splashed in my face, can smell a trace of thunder
Written by: James Nyx, Marvin Gaye