Marvins Room

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Lore & Background

The song is allegedly recorded in a studio once owned by American musician Marvin Gaye, a connection that critics noted when comparing the track to Gaye's life and career. The narrative unfolds as a "drunk dialing" phenomenon where Drake pleads with a former girlfriend from a nightclub. Despite his obvious loneliness and breakup frustrations, he repeatedly cajoles her to return while mentioning that other women who have provided him financial support do not satisfy him. His plaintive requests ultimately go unrequited. The track concludes with a piano outro played by Canadian musician Gonzales. Adrian Eccleston provides additional guitar work, layering into 40's trademark muted bass, which Pitchfork Media's Jayson Greene described as manifesting "like the fumes from music that's already evaporated." This sonic landscape captures a "muted, creeping unease" unique to Drake's style.

In Their Own Story

The music video, posted to the October's Very Own blog on June 28, 2011, visualizes the song's narrative using a shortened version slowed down at several points. It begins with a woman talking about her night of partying before switching to Drake seated in a bar lounge. Throughout the clip, he is seen drinking and unsuccessfully flirting with various women. His inebriated state is visually depicted through out-of-focus and spinning camera shots that blur the line between reality and his intoxicated perception. The video captures the specific moment of a man trying to reconnect with an ex while drowning his sorrows in a public space, only to be ignored as he continues his one-sided conversation.

Reader's Guide

Following its blog debut on June 9, 2011, Universal Music initially attempted to have "Marvins Room" taken down. Drake responded publicly: "Universal needs to stop taking my fucking songs down... I am doing this for the people, not for your label." The song gained massive popularity with 2.4 million listener impressions on Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems between June 20 and June 26, leading to its official service to urban contemporary radio on June 28 and a digital download release on July 22. It peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, eventually earning triple platinum certification for over three million sales. Several artists released remixes, including JoJo's "Can't Do Better" (from a feminine standpoint) and Chris Brown's version featuring J. Valentine, Dawn Richard, SeVen, and Kevin McCall. In 2012, singer Ericka Lee sued Drake for uncredited vocals and unpaid royalties; the suit was resolved with an out-of-court settlement in 2013.

Did You Know?

• The song features uncredited vocals from singer Ericka Lee, who later sued Drake in February 2012 for unpaid royalties and publishing credits.
• Drake initially posted the track to his October's Very Own blog on June 9, 2011, before it was officially released as a single.
• The music video utilizes a slowed-down version of the song and features spinning camera shots to depict Drake's inebriated state.
• Producer 40 created the track using trademark muted bass and keyboard-based instrumentation, with additional guitar by Adrian Eccleston and piano by Gonzales.
• Chris Brown's remix of the song peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.