Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born in 1939 to Marvin Gay, Sr. and Alberta Gay in Washington, D.C.. Gaye began his career in Motown in 1958, and soon became Motown's top solo male artist. He scored numerous hits during the 1960s, among them "Ain't That Peculiar", "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", as well as several hit duets with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"" and "You're All I Need to Get By", before moving on to his own form of musical self-expression.
Along with Stevie Wonder, Gaye is notable for fighting the hit-making—but creatively restrictive—Motown record-making process, in which performers, songwriters and record producers were generally kept in separate camps. Gaye forced Motown to release his 1971 album What's Going On, which is today hailed as one of the best albums of all time. Subsequent releases proved that Gaye, who had been a part-time songwriter for Motown artists during his early years with the label, could write and produce his own singles without having to rely on the Motown system. This achievement would pave the way for the successes of later self-sufficient singer-songwriter-producers in African American music, such as Luther Vandross and Babyface.
During the 1970s, Gaye would release several other notable albums, including Let's Get It On and I Want You, and released several successful singles such as "Come Get to This", "Got to Give It Up" and "Sexual Healing". By the time of his shooting death in 1984, at the hands of his clergyman father, Gaye had become one of the most influential artists of the soul music era.
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First I'd put heaven by your side
Pretty flowers would grow wherever you walk, honey
And over your head would be the bluest sky
Then I'd take every drop of rain
And wash all your troubles away
I'd have the whole world wrapped up in you, darling
And that would be alright, oh yes it will
If I could build my whole world around you
I'd make your eyes the morning sun
I'd put so much love where there is sorrow
I'd put joy where there's never been none
Then I'd give my love to you
For you to keep for the rest of your life
Oh, and happiness would surely be ours
And that would be alright, oh, yes it would
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Oh, if I could build my whole world around you
I'd give you the greatest gift any woman could possess
And I'd step into this world you created
And give you a true love and tenderness
And there'd be something new with every tomorrow
To make this world better as days go by
That is, if I could build my whole world around you
If I could build my whole world around you
That would be all right, oh yeah
If I could build my whole world around you
If I could build my whole world around you
Then that would be all right, oh yeah
If I could just build my world, baby
If I could build it, build it, all around you
And that would be alright
The song "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is a beautiful love ballad that expresses the deep love that the singers have for each other. The lyrics describe how if they could, they would build their entire world around each other. The song starts with the lines "Oh, if I could build my whole world around you, darling. First, I'd put heaven by your side. Pretty flowers would grow wherever you walk, honey. And over your head would be the bluest sky." These lines convey the idea that the singers would do anything to make their loved one happy, and all they want is to be with them always.
In the next verse, the singers express their desire to bring joy and love to their loved ones' lives. They sing "If I could build my whole world around you. I'd make your eyes the morning sun. I'd put so much love where there is sorrow. I'd put joy where there's never been none. Then I'd give my love to you, for you to keep for the rest of your life." The verses highlight their wishes to love and care for their significant others throughout their entire lives.
The chorus declares that if they could build their whole world around each other, it would be enough for them, and everything would be all right. The song's message is clear, and the singers convey it beautifully through their lyrics, melody, and voices.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, if I could build my whole world around you, darling
If I had the power to create a world just for you, my love.
First I'd put heaven by your side
I would ensure that you always had something heavenly, divine, and pure at your side.
Pretty flowers would grow wherever you walk, honey
Wherever you go, you bring beauty, light, and positivity along with you, just like flowers.
And over your head would be the bluest sky
I would give you the clearest, brightest, and most serene sky to look up to that represents the vastness of my love for you.
Then I'd take every drop of rain
Any troubles, worries, sorrows, or tears you have would be washed away by me.
And wash all your troubles away
I desire to be your protector and defender, and to always ensure that you're free from any problems.
I'd have the whole world wrapped up in you, darling
My ultimate gift to you is my undivided attention and devotion, which makes you the center of my universe.
And that would be alright, oh yes it will
The love I have for you is more than enough to make everything else in the world alright.
I'd make your eyes the morning sun
You have the power to make everything in my world brighter and more beautiful just by being in it.
I'd put so much love where there is sorrow
I want my love to heal the wounds of your past and replace any sadness you may feel with genuine happiness and joy.
I'd put joy where there's never been none
I want to be the source of your happiness and ensure that you always have reason to smile and feel fulfilled.
Then I'd give my love to you
My love is the most precious gift I can give you, and I'm willing to share it with you for the rest of our lives.
For you to keep for the rest of your life
I will make sure that the love I share with you is lasting and endures even in the toughest of times.
Oh, and happiness would surely be ours
I believe that true happiness can only be attained when we commit to each other and build a life together.
And that would be alright, oh, yes it would
With your love, I know that I can overcome any obstacle or challenge, and everything will turn out alright in the end.
If I could build my whole world around you
You're everything to me, and I want to create a world that revolves around you and all that you represent to me.
I'd give you the greatest gift any woman could possess
I want to give you the world, and all the riches that come with it, to demonstrate how much I cherish and value you.
And I'd step into this world you created
I want to be your partner, your ally, and your companion in this world that we create together.
And give you a true love and tenderness
I promise to love you unconditionally, and to always be tender, gentle, and caring towards you.
And there'd be something new with every tomorrow
My love for you grows stronger with every passing day, and each day presents a new opportunity to display my love and affection towards you.
To make this world better as days go by
My hope is that together, we can make the world a better place by spreading love, kindness, and positivity wherever we go.
If I could build my whole world around you
My love for you is so deep and overwhelming, that I'm willing to do anything and everything to make you happy.
If I could just build my world, baby
My one desire is to create a world where you always feel safe, loved, and cherished, and where our love can thrive and flourish.
If I could build it, build it, all around you
My ultimate goal is to build a world that revolves around you, and where everything in it is a reflection of my love for you.
And that would be alright
As long as I have you and your love, everything will always be alright in my world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harvey Fuqua, Johnny William Bristol, Vernon Bullock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Kincaid
No other duets can top them!
Jesus Is God
The best to ever do it!
Junior Stanfield
I remember being 7 years old and me and my mother would sing this together. I was Marvin and she was Tammi..This was the first song that I remembered all the words. Memories...Thanks Marvin & Tammi for beautiful duets (RIP)
The Encryptions
nice memory. i had a musical relationship with my older sister, 10 years older. she taught me to sing two part when I was 5.
Mark Abboud
The duets between Marvin and Tammi were some of the best songs ever recorded. Marvin was so devastated about Tammi’s death, he jumped on her coffin during the funeral. He retired from music, then came back with “What’s Goin On”. All because of lovely Tammi Terrell.
renita harper
This is one of my wedding songs after we were already married... going to build our new lives together ❤ ✨
dog duck Chikin
lovely renita!!great choice!!
Dlitton123 Dan
Marvin and Tammi were the best of Motown. I'll never forget their songs.
Pal Canon
Damn!!! It is oh so so sad that youngsters aren't growing up listening to beautiful wholesome music like this y'all!!
Richard Mangogna
Very few times , do the planets and stars align perfectly. They do , right here , on this album. Two great singers, great song writers , great production , and the greatest house band ever , The Funk Brothers