My Top 5 Marvin Gaye Songs: Roy Williams

Roy Williams is the playwright behind Soul a new bioplay celebrating the life and music of Marvin Gaye. It runs at the Hackney Empire from 15 June – 3 July.

We caught up with Roy and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five Marvin Gaye songs could you not live without?"

1. "Sexual Healing"

My first introduction to Marvin Gaye. I was 14, hormones all over the place. I first danced to this when I was a school kid with this girl I really fancied. She went on to become my first girlfriend. Thank you Marvin!

2. "What's Going On"

Beautifully sung, smooth as anything but so political, saying so much about what was happening in America at the time. Civil rights era, the Vietnam War. Hard to believe the people at Motown hated the song at first. An terrific example of an artist sticking to his guns and taking risks with his work.

3. "Piece of Clay"

A truly open and honest song that explores the love/hate relationship he had with his father, and his family as a whole. So moving, beautifully sung.

4. "Inner City Blues"

A gorgeous toe tapper of a song, it makes me feel good whenever I hear it. I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t hear it on my iPod.

5. "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

They truly don’t make them like they used to. One of the most perfectly written and performed songs I have ever heard. An artist at his most genius.