Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Canonical path: /marvin-gaye/the-onion-song
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
The Onion Song
Read The Onion Song lyrics by Marvin Gaye on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
The Onion Song
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
The world is just a great big onion
& pain & fear are the spices that make you cry
Oh, & the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds until it dies, uh huh
Hey world! We got a great big job to do
Yeah, we need you
& everybody who loves truth
Don't you know we've got to clean up this place
& reach far high & oh yeah
Yes we do
We gotta be headstrong about rightin' the wrong
& make a mountain of happy souls, oh;
Oh
The world is just a great big onion
& I don't care, it's the face people like to wear
Yes it is now
& the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Every one single soul's got to do their share
Tell about it, baby!
So come on, let's knock on every door
Tell them love is the answer
Whether they're rich or poor, oh yeah
For we don't care what you do
How you look, or your status claim, baby
No no, because brothers & sisters
From now on, is gonna be everyone's name, oh oh
The world is just a great big onion
& pain & fear are the spices that make you cry
Yes it is
& the only way to get rid of this great big onion
Is to plant love seeds
Now everybody, got to plant love seeds
Come on & plant love seeds
Until it dies
The world is just a great big onion
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Onion Song"?
Marvin Gaye performs "The Onion Song", and this lyric page sits inside the Marvin Gaye catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Onion Song"?
Yes. The related section below points to Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing and If I Should Die Tonight with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Marvin Gaye?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Marvin Gaye's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Onion Song yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.