Nickolas Ashford (born May 4, 1942 in Fairfield, SC – August 22, 2011 in Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Nickolas Ashford (born May 4, 1942 in Fairfield, SC – August 22, 2011 in New York City) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946 in Bronx, NY) were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists. Their best-known songs include "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".

As performers, their best-known song is "Solid" (1984 US and 1985 UK), although they have had many other hits, mostly on the R&B charts. Many of their songs have been recorded in hit versions by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and so many, many others.

Ashford and Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1963. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year Ashford & Simpson joined Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".

The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

It's You
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Friends are mystified
But it don't matter to me
I can't take the credit
For what they see

It's you
It's you
Great or small

I owe it all to you and nothing else
I'd just be lying to myself

You persuaded me so gently
You brought me alive
What I thought had died

They think I have some power
Or a secret hidden inside
Like a puzzle and a rhyme
At the same time
To get the answer they've got to go find you

It's you
The specializer is who they want to see
You, it's you
'Cause none of the credit belongs to me

You, sweet inspiration
So grateful for how you brought me

You, time and patience
'Cause only you could have taught me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ashford & Simpson's song "It's You" are a testament to the power of love and gratitude towards one's partner. The first verse suggests that the singer's friends are amazed by something that has happened, but he/she is not taking credit for it because it's all thanks to the significant other. The phrase "It's you" is repeated several times throughout the song and signifies the partner's role in the singer's success.

The second verse indicates that the partner gently coerced the singer into becoming their best self. The singer thought that part of them had died, but it was revived by this significant other. The singer's friends believe that they possess some unique power or secret, but in reality, they need to look no further than the partner for the answer.

Ultimately, the song is a declaration of love and gratitude towards the partner, who is seen as the source of inspiration and growth. While the singer recognizes their own agency, they also acknowledge that they owe everything to their significant other.

Line by Line Meaning

Friends are mystified
My friends are confused about my success

But it don't matter to me
But their confusion doesn't bother me

I can't take the credit
I cannot claim responsibility for my success

For what they see
For what they believe about my abilities

It's you
It is because of you

It's you
It is due to your influence

Great or small
No matter the size of the achievement

I owe it all to you and nothing else
My success is solely due to your contribution

I'd just be lying to myself
I would be dishonest if I claimed it was anything else

You persuaded me so gently
You convinced me in a subtle way

You brought me alive
You revitalized me