You Got What It Takes
Marv Johnson Lyrics
You don't drive a big fast car
You don't look like a movie star
And on your money we won't get far
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now you don't live in a beautiful place
You don't dress with the best of taste
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh and whoa-oh whoa yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, ooh-wee
My head goes around and around
And when you kiss me, oh yeah
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place
You don't dress with the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes (yeah yeah), to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, and a-whoa-oh
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, little girl
My head goes around and around
And when you kiss me, oh yeah
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place, no
You don't dress with the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Oh yeah
You got what it takes
Don't need no money
Baby, you don't need no car
Come on, you know you got a-what it takes for me, little girl
You got what it takes for me
Yes, baby
You got what it takes for me, oh yeah
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tyran Carlo, Gwen Fuqua, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Marvin Earl Johnson (October 15, 1938 – May 16, 1993) was an American R&B and soul singer most notable for performing on the first record to ever come from Motown.
Between 1959 and 1961, Johnson would issue nine Hot 100 singles including two top ten singles, "You Got What It Takes" and "I Love The Way You Love". He scored his final top 40 single in 1960 with "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains"
Johnson's early Motown-issued singles would be the precedent to the future sound and success of the label Read Full BioMarvin Earl Johnson (October 15, 1938 – May 16, 1993) was an American R&B and soul singer most notable for performing on the first record to ever come from Motown.
Between 1959 and 1961, Johnson would issue nine Hot 100 singles including two top ten singles, "You Got What It Takes" and "I Love The Way You Love". He scored his final top 40 single in 1960 with "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains"
Johnson's early Motown-issued singles would be the precedent to the future sound and success of the label, which by the time Johnson began issuing his Motown records nationally in 1965, had become the biggest independent label in the world. After issuing his final Motown singles in 1968, Johnson remained with Motown working on sales and promotion throughout the 1970s.
Johnson continued singing into the 1990s releasing a solo album on London-based Motor City Records. Johnson died of a stroke on May 16, 1993 in Columbia, South Carolina at the age of 54.
Between 1959 and 1961, Johnson would issue nine Hot 100 singles including two top ten singles, "You Got What It Takes" and "I Love The Way You Love". He scored his final top 40 single in 1960 with "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains"
Johnson's early Motown-issued singles would be the precedent to the future sound and success of the label Read Full BioMarvin Earl Johnson (October 15, 1938 – May 16, 1993) was an American R&B and soul singer most notable for performing on the first record to ever come from Motown.
Between 1959 and 1961, Johnson would issue nine Hot 100 singles including two top ten singles, "You Got What It Takes" and "I Love The Way You Love". He scored his final top 40 single in 1960 with "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains"
Johnson's early Motown-issued singles would be the precedent to the future sound and success of the label, which by the time Johnson began issuing his Motown records nationally in 1965, had become the biggest independent label in the world. After issuing his final Motown singles in 1968, Johnson remained with Motown working on sales and promotion throughout the 1970s.
Johnson continued singing into the 1990s releasing a solo album on London-based Motor City Records. Johnson died of a stroke on May 16, 1993 in Columbia, South Carolina at the age of 54.
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ohyesitsyouagain
These comments are cracking me up. He’s not saying “you’ll do” and the lyrics aren’t “abusive.” He’s saying despite not checking all the boxes of being the perfect girl, he likes her and accepts her anyway. I never saw the song any other way.
Linda Branigan
P.S.
ohyesitsyouagain
Love your handle!
Linda Branigan
ohyesitsyouagain
The theme is very similar to Jimmy Soul's, "If you want to be happy." Today, PC, marginalization, objectifying, body shaming(includes face) would ban this song, or at least make a big fuss. These called, "fun" with no cursing, no lewdness,
and a driving beat that was great to dance to.
(primarily the jitterbug.
So, where did everyone's sense of humor go? Obviously, if they had one, it would produce uproarious
laughter, of music today.
scoopmcg
the song is incrediblely hooky but you're right - it's kind of the R&B version of My Funny Valentine ('your looks are laughable, not photographable')
david wells
if a guy can find a gal like this, he'd better hang on to her. she will go anywhere with him.she will love him and do anything he wants within reason. they will grow old together in love.
Daniel Burns
this song went to #10 on the pop charts in 1960!!!
Darryl Evans
Such a great song by the late and great Marv Johnson. Play this on my internet radio show Classic Soul me the Masterblaster RIP brotha.
Jack Smith
One of the 1st records I remeber my brother playing in the morning before going to school, still love it....
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1967 {March 26th} the Dave Clark Five performed "You Got What It Takes" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'... Six days later on April 1st it entered Billboad's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #7 and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100... It reached #28 on the United Kingdom Singles chart... Two other versions have charted; Marv Johnson {#10 in 1960} and Showaddywaddy {#2 in the UK in 1977} Was originally recorded in 1958 in Bobby Parker, his version didn't chart
mkl62
This hit from Marv Johnson went to #10 on the Top 40 charts. It also went to #2 on the Rhythm & Blues charts and to #7 in the United Kingdom. It would finish at #46 for the year, 1960.