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.
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I'm gonna love you no matter what you do
Just so long as I can have it all, nothin' but you
So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause I would stop right where I stand
I'd just be the frame of a man
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause if you leave you might as well take the air I breathe
Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you go nowhere
Don't you know I'm satisfied with your tender care?
And I get my inspiration, darlin', just knowin' you're there
So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause like a leaf out on a tree
You've become a part of me
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause if you leave you might as well take the air I breathe
Would you take the heavens out of the sky
Imagine what the world would be like if the rivers ran dry?
Oh, Tammi
What good am I without you?
There's no thrill without you, darlin'
Like a sea without a shore
Kicking forever more
Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you change your mind
Sugar, I can't bear the thought of ever leavin' you behind
No matter what I do, another you I'll never find
So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause I would stop right where I stand
I'd be the frame of a man
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause if you leave you might as well take the air I breathe
If you leave you might as well take the air I breathe
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
'Cause I need your love, I need it so desperately
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
In "Keep On Loving Me Honey," Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell sing about the importance of love and the fear of losing it. The song expresses the deep connection the singers share, including the fear of what life would be like if they lost each other. The lyrics emphasize the gravity of this loss by comparing the absence of their partner to losing the air they breathe. By making these comparisons, the song highlights the importance of having someone to love and the devastating consequences of losing that person.
The song is also unique because it features Tammi Terrell's spoken word in the middle of the song. She talks about the unimaginable consequences of taking love away, such as taking the heavens out of the sky, and the rivers running dry. Her words reflect the depth of emotion and fear that the song is conveying.
Overall, "Keep On Loving Me Honey" is a moving song about the significance of love in our lives and the fear of losing it. The lyrics, along with the soulful voices of Gaye and Terrell, create a powerful message that resonates with listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep on lovin' me honey, keep on lovin' me true
Continue loving me sincerely and faithfully
Baby, I'm gonna love you no matter what you do
No matter what you do, I will always love you
Just so long as I can have it all, nothin' but you
As long as I have you, I don't need anything else
So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
Please don't take away your love from me
'Cause I would stop right where I stand
Without your love, I am nothing
I'd just be the frame of a man
My life would be empty and meaningless
'Cause if you leave you might as well take the air I breathe
Without your love, my life will be like having no air to breathe
Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you go nowhere
Please don't leave me, keep loving me
Don't you know I'm satisfied with your tender care?
Your love and care makes me happy and content
And I get my inspiration, darlin', just knowin' you're there
Knowing that you're there for me inspires and motivates me
'Cause like a leaf out on a tree
You are a part of me and my life
You've become a part of me
You are an integral part of my being
Would you take the heavens out of the sky
Just like the sky needs the heavens, I need you
Imagine what the world would be like if the rivers ran dry?
Without your love, my world will be empty and dry
Oh, Tammi
What good am I without you?
My life would be meaningless without you, Tammi
There's no thrill without you, darlin'
I don't find joy or excitement without you, my love
Like a sea without a shore
Kicking forever more
My life would be like a sea without a shore, lost and never-ending
Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you change your mind
Please don't change your mind about loving me
Sugar, I can't bear the thought of ever leavin' you behind
I can't imagine my life without you beside me
No matter what I do, another you I'll never find
No one can ever replace you in my heart
I need your love, I need it so desperately
I crave and require your love more than anything else
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
Please don't take your love away from me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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I understand why Marvin Gaye took Tammi Terrell death so hard.They were good friends,she was just 24 at the time.She had a great voice,and her and Marvin sounded great together.RIP Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
Nicola Bentley
I just learnt about her beautiful voice and her death . Marvin and her so magical x
Bartley Walton
One of my personal favorite songs from Marvin & Tammi
TheAudivisioner
One Of Marvin and Tammi's Best duets.
Christian Boyd
Marvin loved this woman....she was his heart. He was never the same after Tammi's death in 1970. There both together now ♥️
Joe Williams
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were great singers and great friends; continue to Rest in peace both of you ❤️❤️🥰🥰😘😘😘🌞🌞
Corey Sheppard
This is brilliant. The arrangement is incredible!
Kimberly Mount
I just want to say thank you to who put the majority of their songs on here. I absolutely love this duo, and I just really appreciate it so that I can listen to them while I do my homework. :D Thank you!!!
Tammy Brinkley
This song right here should have been a big hit for Tammi and Marvin I like when she says sugar I can't bear the thought of ever leaving you behind just beautiful
wendell adair
Of their many hits, this is the one that does it for me