Context

This line is from the song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," sung by Marvin Gaye and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, from the album In the Groove (1968).

The idea for this song came from the phrase "I heard it through the grapevine" which was apparently really big in the 60s, but actually originated in the South during the Civil War. Back then, slaves would pass information along the "grape-vine telegraph" since they didn't have any official channels for getting important news and information.

The song basically has the same meaning—the singer heard it through the grapevine (a.k.a. some unofficial source) that his girl is about to break-up with him. Would have been nice if she would have given him a heads up instead of leaving him to get that bombshell through some back channel. No one likes getting dumped via rumor.

Where you've heard it

"I heard it through the grapevine" didn't start with this song, but it certainly made it a really popular phrase. Today, when people say they've heard something through the grapevine, it means they've got some juicy gossip on their hands.

Who could forget the California Raisins and their version of "Heard It Through the Grapevine"?

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Everyone loves a little gossip, so no one will accuse you of being pretentious if you announce that you've got some secrets that you heard through the grapevine. In fact, they'll probably lean in closer to get a better listen.