You Got What It Takes
Marv Johnson Lyrics


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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
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 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

Overall Meaning

In Marv Johnson’s song “You’ve Got What It Takes,” the singer serenades his love interest, praising her for her simple yet endearing qualities. He acknowledges that she does not meet societal standards of beauty, fashion or class status, but he is not interested in any of that as she has the qualities he is looking for in a partner. Although she may not have material possessions or outward beauty, she has a soul that satisfies him, and her simple presence sets him on fire. He is enthralled by her every move and kiss, and he cannot help falling in love with her over and over again.


The lyrics in “You’ve Got What it Takes” show that true love lies in someone’s character and personality rather than anything else. The song communicates that what matters in a relationship is how a person treats the other, the love they share and the connection that they have together. This song highlights the importance of not judging people by their looks or possessions, but instead, cherishing the positive qualities they possess.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't drive a big fast car
You don't have a luxury car.


You don't look like a movie star
You don't have a celebrity-like appearance.


And on your money we won't get far
You don't have a fortune or financial stability.


But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
Despite the aforementioned attributes, you possess something special that is able to please me.


You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
You have a quality that can excite and thrill me.


Whoa-oh, oh yeah
Expressing the artist's enthusiasm and agreement to the above statement.


You got what it takes for me
You possess something that catches my attention, something that attracts me.


Now you don't live in a beautiful place
You don't have a grand or aesthetically pleasing home.


You don't dress with the best of taste
You don't have top-tier or stylish clothing.


And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
You don't have a naturally appealing physical appearance.


Whoa-oh and whoa-oh whoa yeah
An expression of excitement and agreement to the above statement.


Now when you're near me, ooh-wee
When you're in close proximity, an expression of the emotions felt by the artist.


My head goes around and around
A description of the dizzying sensation felt by the artist.


And when you kiss me, oh yeah
An expression of the intense emotions felt when receiving a kiss.


My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You make the artist feel a rush of overpowering emotions, causing them to feel like falling in love.


Don't need no money
An expression that highlights the idea that the person's monetary status isn't important.


Baby, you don't need no car
The person's mode of transportation isn't relevant, it doesn't matter if they own a car or not.


Come on, you know you got a-what it takes for me, little girl
An urging statement indicating that the person has something special that the artist finds appealing.


Yes, baby
An expression of affirmation or agreement to the person's appealing traits.


You got what it takes for me, oh yeah
Reiterating that the person has something that the artist finds appealing.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tyran Carlo, Gwen Fuqua, Berry Gordy Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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All comments from YouTube:

PtolemyJones

I, for one, am in the category of people who love this song, always have. So good...

jimsradiomusic

Most people do not realize that Marv Johnson was, in reality, the first Motown artist. His records were produced by Berry Gordy and written by many of the people who became part of the Motown empire just a few years later.

Joann France

Marv Johnson was a great singer and very talented..l am surprised he not more celebrated as a Motown pioneer...he had lots of hits

Carolyn Shipley

When the artists don't play the evil games, they don't succeed.

Jimhamilton1

I'm one of those people who LOVE this song...along with most everything else Marv did.

Colin Brett

My first serious love coincided with Marvin's song release and Susan and I sang this everywhere we went. 60 years ago and I can still sing all the words and remember her fondly.

Colin Brett

Not her real name.

Lorraine Hixon

Grew up listening to this song,LOVE IT!

sauquoit13456

SON-OF-GUN; JUST MADE IT!!! In 1960 "You Got What It Takes' peaked at No. 10 thus just making the Top 10, it also stayed in the Top 100 for nearly a half a year (22 weeks}... Mr. Johnson was the 1st artist to release a record on Berry Gordy's Tamla label in May 1959, it was titled "Come To Me" but it didn't make the Top 100 until it was released on the United Artist label

Glenn Masters

Great voice

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