Music writer David Ritz linked up with legendary pop singer Marvin Gaye at a low point in Gaye's career. He hadn't had a hit for a long time. With declining album sales, terrible reviews, marital problems, and a drug habit, it was unclear what Marvin Gaye's legacy would be — if he'd even leave one at all.

Then, one long night in Belgium, everything changed. While Ritz interviewed Gaye for a book he was thinking about writing, the pair accidentally wrote a song that would change the world.

Ben Adair produced this story for the podcast First Time Last Time. You can find it — and lots of other wonderful stories about firsts and lasts — at firstlasttime.com