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/
Little Ole Boy Little Ole Girl
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm lookin' for a little ole boy
'Cause I need someone, did you hear me say someone, someone to love
Oh, oh, I'm a little ole boy
Oh, lookin' for a little ole girl
And I hope I'm that someone, oh baby, you're lookin' for
Oh, oh, baby, did you hear me say maybe, babyWe two can get along
Oh, but you gotta hug me every mornin'
Kiss me every night
And love me all night long
Oh, I'm a little ole boy
And oh, I'm just a little ole girl
Now we've found someone
Uh-uh yeah, someone to love
Who-oh-oh oh-oh-oah
Who-o-oah, I say maybe, did you hear me say maybe, baby
We two, we two can get along
Oh you got to hug me every mornin'
Kiss me every night
Love me all night long
I'm just a little ole girl
I'm, I'm a little ole boy
Now we've found someone, uh-huh yeah, someone to love
Uh-huh, I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love
Won't you put your lovin' arms around me?
Someone to love, whoah, whoah
The song "Little Boy Little Ole Girl" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is a sweet love ballad between two people who are searching for love with someone they can trust and cherish. The song was released in 1967 on their album "United," and it was produced by Ashford and Simpson. The lyrics express the need for a partner who can love and care for them, and they are willing to reciprocate the same feelings.
The first and second verses sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, respectively, reveal they are lonely, and they desire to find love with the right partner. The lines "I'm just a little ole girl, and I'm looking for a little ole boy" and "Oh, I'm a little ole boy, Oh, looking for a little ole girl" signify that they are ordinary people seeking love. They both express the need for a partner who will love them unconditionally and commit to them fully. The chorus, "Now we've found someone, uh-uh yeah, someone to love," indicates that they have found each other, and they are now happy in love.
The second half of the song emphasizes the commitment they require from each other for their love to flourish. The lines "Oh you gotta hug me every morning, Kiss me every night and Love me all night long," stress the importance of physical closeness and emotional attachment. The song ends with Tammi Terrell expressing her joy in finding someone to love, as she sings, "I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love, Won't you put your loving arms around me?" The song's message is that everybody deserves to find true love, and when they do, they should cherish it and work hard to sustain it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a little ole girl
I am young and inexperienced in relationships and looking for love.
And I'm lookin' for a little ole boy
I am searching for a young man who can love me the way I deserve to be loved.
'Cause I need someone, did you hear me say someone, someone to love
I am desperate for the companionship and affection of a loving partner.
Oh, oh, I'm a little ole boy
I am a young man searching for a girl to love.
Oh, lookin' for a little ole girl
I am searching for a young woman who can provide me with the love and affection I need.
And I hope I'm that someone, oh baby, you're lookin' for
I hope to be the one who can love you in the way that you are searching for.
Oh, oh, baby, did you hear me say maybe, baby
Maybe we could have a successful relationship together, baby.
We two can get along
We have the potential to form a loving and successful partnership.
Oh, but you gotta hug me every mornin'
You must be willing to show me affection and love every day, starting when we wake up.
Kiss me every night
You must be willing to show me affection and love every night, before bed.
And love me all night long
You must be willing to show me affection and love throughout the night, consistently.
Now we've found someone
We have finally found the ideal partner for each other.
Uh-uh yeah, someone to love
We have found a partner to provide us with the love and affection we desire.
Who-oh-oh oh-oh-oah
We are so happy to have found each other.
I say maybe, did you hear me say maybe, baby
I suggest that we may be compatible with each other, baby.
Oh you got to hug me every mornin'
It is important that you show me affection and love every morning, without fail.
Love me all night long
You must be willing to show me affection and love throughout the night, consistently.
I'm so glad that I've found me someone to love
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a partner to love and cherish.
Won't you put your lovin' arms around me?
Will you please embrace me tightly and show me your love and affection?
Someone to love, whoah, whoah
We are so grateful to have found each other and the love we share.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind