In the mid-60s, Terrell released a series of minor R&B chart hits, among them "I Can't Believe You Love Me", "Come On and See Me", and "This Old Heart of Mine" (putting on her own spin on The Isley Brothers' classic). In 1967, she was selected to replace Kim Weston as Marvin Gaye's recording partner, with Gaye being one of Motown's biggest singer-songwriters and being hungry to try more. This teaming produced Gaye's most successful duets, and the pair issued a stream of hit singles between 1967 and 1969. Tracks such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "You're All I Need To Get By" epitomized their style, as Gaye and Terrell wove around each other's voices, creating an aura of romance and eroticism that led to persistent (yet false) rumors that they were in a secret relationship.
Being such close friends and strong admirers of each other's talents, the partnership's non-singles and b-side releases have attracted critical praise as well, with many commenting that both of them sing like passionate actors on a stage totally into their roles. Most of the Gaye/Terrell duets were crafted by two songwriting/production teams: Ashford & Simpson and Harvey Fuqua & Johnny Bristol. Though productions could be intense, given the number of talented musicians in one space at one time, the duo recorded track after track. Yet it all would come to a sudden end soon.
While on tour with Gaye in Virginia during the summer of 1967, Terrell fainted onstage. She was diagnosed as suffering from a brain tumor, much to the shock of her and her friends. Despite a series of major operations over the next three years, her health steadily weakened to the point that she could barely sing. By 1969, Terrell was too weak to perform in public or in the studio, and the duo's co-producer, Valerie Simpson, subbed for Terrell on many of the duo's final recordings. Ironically, one of these tracks, called "The Onion Song", proved to be the most successful of the Gaye/Terrell singles in the U.K.
Tammi Terrell died on March 16, 1970. Her burial service attracting thousands of mourners, including many of her Motown colleagues, numerous musicians in Motown and elsewhere felt shocked. Over the years since, her work with Gaye has proved deeply influential on many later soul and rnb artists. As well, Marvin Gaye's spiritual wanderings and self-reflection upon the passing of such a beloved friend proved a significant life event, and he would soon release his critically acclaimed 'What's Going On' album soon afterward.
Official Motown artist page: http://classic.motown.com/artist_pages/marvin-gaye-tammi-terrell/
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy to Come By
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good lovin' ain't easy
Good lovin' ain't easy to come by
Oh, darlin', that's the kind you offer me
It's just the love to be found
'Cause we're workin' on a buildin' nobody can tear down
Look what we've got, ho-ho-ho-honey
Good lovin' ain't easy, darlin'
Good lovin' ain't easy to come by, oh no no
I've tried the good life and I know
It's a playground where no one cares
But at last you'll find out that don't compare
To what we've got, ho-ho-ho-honey
It takes more than just a song and dance
You've got to work and fight to give it a chance
If the rain comes down on us
And there ain't no place to run
We'll just cover ourselves with a blanket of love
And wait till the mornin' comes
Oh baby, let's do it today
Inflection
Give us protection
Good lovin' ain't easy to come by
Some think it's a plaything
You can toss away when it's old
But when love's valued in pieces
It's worth more than gold
That's what we've got
The lyrics of Marvin Gayeās song āGood Lovinā Aināt Easy to Come Byā speaks about the value and rarity of genuine love. The first two lines repeat to emphasize the notion that good love is not something that is easily obtained. The opening line could almost be interpreted as a warning to potential lovers, that they should not take love for granted or expect it to be easy. However, the next three lines suggest that Marvin has found the love he wants in a partner, despite it being difficult to find. He values this love because it is real and cannot be destroyed by anything.
The second verse further develops the idea that the high life doesnāt compare to the happiness that can be found with the right person. The distinction between frivolous pleasure and true love is highlighted, with the former being compared to a playground where no one really cares. It does not give any real satisfaction or meaning to life. This is contrasted with the deeper happiness that can be found in genuine love, where the love transcends the physical and materialistic aspects of life. Marvin implies that you cannot find that kind of love easily.
The last verse talks about the importance of not giving up on love, but putting in the work and effort necessary for it to thrive. The line, āIf the rain comes down on us / And there ain't no place to run,ā suggests that the challenges of life will come, but if the relationship is built on a strong foundation of love, it will provide shelter from the storm. In essence, the song is a declaration of love for his partner, a recognition of the value of love, and a rallying cry for others to recognize that āgood lovināā is not something that can be taken for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Good lovin' ain't easy
Finding true love is difficult
Good lovin' ain't easy
Finding true love is still difficult even if you already have some
Good lovin' ain't easy to come by
It's rare to find true love
Oh, darlin', that's the kind you offer me
You are the one offering me true love
It's just the love to be found
True love is the only thing that matters
'Cause we're workin' on a buildin' nobody can tear down
We are building a strong relationship that cannot be easily broken
Look what we've got, ho-ho-ho-honey
Our love is valuable and worth celebrating
I've tried the good life and I know
I have experienced material pleasures but they don't compare to true love
It's a playground where no one cares
Material pleasures are shallow and meaningless
But at last you'll find out that don't compare
Eventually you'll realize that true love is more important
To what we've got, ho-ho-ho-honey
Our love is precious and irreplaceable
It takes more than just a song and dance
True love requires effort and commitment
You've got to work and fight to give it a chance
You have to put in the effort and overcome obstacles to make love work
If the rain comes down on us
If we face hardships and challenges
And there ain't no place to run
If we have nowhere to escape
We'll just cover ourselves with a blanket of love
We'll rely on our love to get us through tough times
And wait till the mornin' comes
We will endure and wait for better days
Oh baby, let's do it today
Let's work on our love today
Inflection
Emphasis on the importance of love
Give us protection
Let our love be strong enough to protect us from harm
Good lovin' ain't easy to come by
True love is rare and valuable
Some think it's a plaything
Some people treat love as a casual thing
You can toss away when it's old
People can easily discard love when it's no longer new or exciting
But when love's valued in pieces
But when love is appreciated for its true worth
It's worth more than gold
Love is more valuable than any material possession
That's what we've got
Our love is precious and priceless
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sony k
After all theses years...I still feel chills when I hear this!
Leroy Jackson-Burgess
Utter brilliance from the pen of Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson.. working with Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, arguably the greatest Soul duet EVER. The rhythm and orchestral arrangement are 'off the chain'... powerful and transcendent. GOD... what a song!
Donna D. Brown
Yes, indeed
carl kane
a fantastic song by two most excellent singers,very sad there no longer here god bless them both.
Donald Whittler
they are like magic together . harmony and love .
Pat Booker
My favorite duet of all times never gets old. Thank you Marvin and Tammi Nick and Val God gave you great gifts
steve lyons
Angellicšthe best to ever do it !! There will never be another duo like this. God made these two to sing together. RIH Marvin and Tammi...gone way too soon...
Benjamz
I like the 1:49 mark how thereāre singing that harmony and the way the strings in background sounds beautiful.
Cordelia de Lima
I can listen to that particular part on repeat
Michael Perez
Miss Tammi Terrell's vibrant sound and tone are unique. Despite the myth surrounding this vocal, ain't no way that this is (the great) Valerie Simpson, whose career I've followed since the beginning. I also know Valerie's gorgeous sound well -- and here, I hear Tammi!