The title of the track was originally " Sanctified Pussy " , a phrase which Gaye can be heard mumbling ( appearing somewhat unedited ) during certain parts of the updated chorus provided by The Waters , chants of '' " sanctified lady " '' . Along with Masochistic Beauty , the song was an outtake from the '' Midnight Love '' sessions , that remained unfinished due to the singer 's death in 1984 at the age of 44 . Despite being incomplete and omitted from the album , the song was planned and expected by the singer to become his next big record and follow-up to ' " Sexual Healing . " The lyrics explore the singer 's longing to find " that one woman who is untainted and incorruptible . " Regarding the earlier receptions of the song and its title , Gaye once stated to ex-wife Janis that " Some say the song is beneath me . And yes , there is humor implicit in the title . But it is no joke . To find a church girl , pure and innocent ... I need a woman as flawless as my own mother . ” Years later , guitarist and longtime collaborator Gordon Banks ( Gaye 's brother-in-law ) helped to finish the track by adding a choir and an electronic beat throughout the song , plus a vocodered chant of the title at the beginning
the singer 's death in 1984
Death of Marvin Gaye
Sanctified Lady