Songwriter: Warren “Pete” Moore Smokey Robinson Marv Tarplin

Producer: Smokey Robinson

[Verse 1]
Well, I'd be doggone if I wouldn't work all day
And I'd be doggone if I wouldn't bring you my pay
But if I ever caught you running around
Blowing my money all over this town

[Chorus]
Then I wouldn't be doggone
Hey, Hey! I'd be long gone
Then I wouldn't be doggone
I'd be long gone

[Verse 2]
Now hey, hey, hey!
I'll be doggone if you ain't a pretty thing
And I'll be doggone if you ain't warm as a breath of spring
And if we live to be a hundred years old
If you ever let that spring turn cold

[Chorus]
Then I wouldn't be doggone
Hey hey hey! I'd be long gone
Oh I wouldn't be doggone, baby
I'd be long gone

[Bridge]
Now did you hear me?
Well now what I say, oh, believe me
Well, every woman should try to be
Whatever her man wants her to be
And I don't want much, all I want from you
Is for you to be true to me

[Verse 3]
I'll be doggone if love ain't a man's best friend
Oh, baby, And I'll be doggone if you ain't the loving end
Though I know you make me feel like nobody could
If I ever found out that you're no good

[Chorus]
Then I wouldn't be doggone
I'd be long gone
Well I wouldn't be doggone
I'd be long gone

[Outro]
I wouldn't be doggone
Gone catch me a train
No baby, I wouldn't be

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was one of the most consistent and enigmatic of the Motown hitmakers, with a career that exemplified the maturation of black pop into a sophisticated form spanning social and sexual politics.

Blessed with a mellifluous tenor and a three-octave vocal range, Gaye was among the most gifted composers and singers of his era. His life ended tragically one day before his 45th birthday, when he was shot to death by his father, an Apostolic preacher, after a violent argument.