Marvins Room

A raw, inebriated late-night call that turned drunken vulnerability into a chart-topping phenomenon.

Marvins Room is a defining single by Canadian recording artist Drake, serving as the lead release from his second studio album, Take Care. Produced by 40, the track features keyboard-based instrumentation and muted bass, anchoring its sound in a specific, atmospheric groove. The song places listeners directly inside the perspective of an inebriated Drake making a late-night call to an ex-girlfriend. He rants about his frustrations and loneliness while simultaneously boasting about his superiority over her replacement. With additional musical contributions from Adrian Eccleston on guitar and Gonzales on piano, the track was initially posted to Drake's October's Very Own blog on June 9, 2011. Positive reception prompted its official single release on June 28, 2011.

Quick Facts

Artist

Drake

Album

Take Care

Released

June 28, 2011

Recorded

April 2011

Studio

Marvin's Room

Genre

Alternative R&B

Length

5:47 (single version and digital album version), 8:15; (physical album version, joined with "Buried Alive Interlude")

Label

Young Money
Cash Money
Republic

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.

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.
The music video utilizes a slowed-down version of the song and features spinning camera shots to depict Drake's inebriated state.
Chris Brown's remix of the song peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.