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/
Oh How I'd Miss You
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More than the earth could quake
If you should ever go
You know my heart would break
If I lost your sweet embrace
Even time could not erase
The memories of you
Tears would cover up my face
Oh, how I'd miss you
Baby, I need you so
Oh how I'd miss you
Baby, never go
I'll never leave
My world would cease to be
Without the love you give to me
The chains around my heart
Would never set me free
When my life had just begun
My sky didn't have a sun
You fill my every need
So if you ever leave
Oh, how I'd miss you
Baby, I need you so
Oh, how I'd miss you
Baby, never go
I'll never leave
(Oh, how I'd miss you, baby, baby)
(Oh, how I'd miss you, baby, baby)
Oh you're always on my mindLosin' you would leave me blind
Fill my heart forevermore
Never leave my love behind
With the joy your love can bring
To you I'll always cling
If you took away your love
It would be the end of things
And oh, how I'd miss you
Oh, baby
Oh, how I'd miss you
Marvin, I need you so
Oh, how I'd miss you
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye's song I Want You express his deep devotion to the person he loves. In the first stanza, he says that his love is so powerful that it could shake his heart more than an earthquake if that person ever left. He emphasizes that even time could not erase the memories of the person he loves, and tears would cover his face if he lost their sweet embrace. In the chorus, he repeats how much he would miss the person if they were ever to go, and that he would never leave.
The second stanza goes deeper into how important this person is in Marvin Gaye's life. He says that his world would cease to be without the love that they give him, and that the chains around his heart wouldn't ever set him free. He emphasizes that when his life had just begun, his sky didn't have a sun until that person came along and filled his every need. In the final stanza, he declares that this person is always on his mind, and losing them would leave him blind. He ends by saying that if they took away their love, it would be the end of things.
Overall, the song conveys the idea that the person Marvin Gaye loves is everything to him, and he couldn't live without them. The lyrics are delivered with a sense of urgency and heartfelt passion, which underscores the importance of the message.
Line by Line Meaning
My lovin' heart would shake
If you were to leave me, it would cause me great emotional distress
More than the earth could quake
This emotional distress would be more intense than even an earthquake
If you should ever go
If you were to leave me
You know my heart would break
My heart would be shattered
If I lost your sweet embrace
If I no longer felt your loving embrace
Even time could not erase
No amount of time passing could ease the pain of your absence
The memories of you
The memories of our time together
Tears would cover up my face
I would cry uncontrollably
Oh, how I'd miss you
I cannot express how much I would miss you
Baby, I need you so
I need you more than anything
I'll never leave
I will always be here for you
My world would cease to be
My entire world revolves around you
Without the love you give to me
Your love is what sustains me
The chains around my heart
I feel trapped by my love for you
Would never set me free
I can never escape my feelings for you
When my life had just begun
At the beginning of my life
My sky didn't have a sun
I felt lost and alone before I met you
You fill my every need
You complete me
So if you ever leave
But if you were to leave
Oh, how I'd miss you
I cannot express how much I would miss you
Baby, I need you so
I need you more than anything
Oh you're always on my mind
I think about you all the time
Losin' you would leave me blind
Without you, I would be lost
Fill my heart forevermore
Your love will always be in my heart
Never leave my love behind
I will never let go of my love for you
With the joy your love can bring
Your love brings me so much happiness
To you I'll always cling
I will always hold onto you
If you took away your love
If you were to stop loving me
It would be the end of things
My world would come crashing down
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK WILSON, FRANK EDWARD WILSON, HAL DAVIS, VANCE WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind