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/
Keep On Loving Me Honey
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I'm gonna love you no matter what you do
For so long I depended on, 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 afraid 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 I can't do 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 just be afraid 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 you 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
@Wolfhoundersful
[M:] Keep on lovin' me honey, keep on lovin' me true
[T:] Baby, I'm gonna love you no matter what you do
[M:] Just so long as I can have it all, nothin' but you
[Both:] So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
[T:] 'Cause I would stop right where I stand
[M:] I'd just be afraid of a man
[Both:] 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
[M:] Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you go nowhere
[T:] Don't you know I'm satisfied with your tender care?
[M:] And I get my inspiration, darlin', just knowin' you're there
[Both:] So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
[T:] 'Cause like a leaf out on a tree
[M:] You've become a part of me
[Both:] 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
[Both:] Would you take the heavens out of the sky
Imagine what the world would be like if the rivers ran dry
[M:] Oh Tammi
[T:] What good am I without you
[M:] I can't do without you, darlin'
[Both:] Like a sea wihout a shore
Kicking forever more
[M:] Keep on lovin' me honey, don't you change your mind
[T:] Sugar, I can't bear the thought of ever leavin' you behind
[M:] No matter what I do, another you I'll never find
[Both:] So don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
[T:] 'Cause I would stop right where I stand
[M:] I'd just be afraid of a man
[Both:] 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 you so desperately
Don't you take your love, don't take it away from me
@joewilliams4134
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were great singers and great friends; continue to Rest in peace both of you ❤️❤️🥰🥰😘😘😘🌞🌞
@edwinkirkland8856
Romeo and juliet of motown
@christianboyd1339
Marvin loved this woman....she was his heart. He was never the same after Tammi's death in 1970. There both together now ♥️
@bartleywalton2178
One of my personal favorite songs from Marvin & Tammi
@TheAudivisioner
One Of Marvin and Tammi's Best duets.
@Cas82958
This is brilliant. The arrangement is incredible!
@Cas82958
This is an excellent tune. Haunting and beautiful at the same time?
@wendelladair127
Of their many hits, this is the one that does it for me
@tammybrinkley1177
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
@ethelstevenslove2957
Great classic.....