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/
Real Thing
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
No, no, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Oh honey, I got your picture hangin' on the wall
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name
Ooh, I read your letters when you're not near me
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me like when I hear
Your sweet voice whispering in my ear
Don'cha know, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
I played my game, a fantasy
I pretend, but I know in reality
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better
So, let's stay together
I got some memories to look back on
And though they help me when you're gone
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of your being there
Oh, so glad we got the real thing, baby
So glad we got the real thing
Oh, Marvin, so good, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby, so good
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Talk to me, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby, oh I'm so glad
Ain't nothing like the real thing
The song "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" is a love ballad about the idea that nothing is as good as the real thing. The lyrics express the idea that no picture, letter, or imagination can ever replace the feeling of being with a loved one. It is about the deep desire to be with a person, to hear their voice and feel their touch. While technology can help us communicate and stay in touch, there is nothing that can replace the feeling of being with someone in person.
The song explores the idea of longing for someone and the pain that comes with not being able to be with them. The lyrics suggest that memories and thoughts of someone can bring comfort but ultimately, there is no substitute for the real thing. The song conveys the idea that true love means being with someone physically and emotionally.
In conclusion, "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" is a beautiful love song that expresses the idea that nothing is as satisfying as the real thing. It reminds us that while technology has made communication easier, nothing can replace the comfort and joy of being with someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, baby
Expressing affection towards the other person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Nothing compares to the real person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Reinforcing the idea that nothing compares to the real person.
No, no, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Emphasizing that nothing can replace the real person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Continuing to emphasize that nothing compares to the real person.
Oh honey, I got your picture hangin' on the wall
I have a picture of you on my wall.
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name
The picture can't hear or respond to me in any way.
I realize it's just a picture inside a frame
I understand that the picture is just an object in a frame and not you.
Ooh, I read your letters when you're not near me
I read the letters you send me when we are apart.
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me like when I hear
The letters don't have the same effect on me as hearing your voice.
Your sweet voice whispering in my ear
Hearing your voice whispering to me is something I cherish.
Don'cha know, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Asking if they know that nothing compares to the real person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Reiterating that nothing can replace the real person.
I played my game, a fantasy
I created a fantasy in my mind.
I pretend, but I know in reality
I pretend that my fantasy is real, but I know it isn't.
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
I need the comfort and security of being in your arms.
No other sound is quite the same as your name
Hearing your name is unique and special.
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better
No physical touch can make me feel as good as being with you.
So, let's stay together
Let's stay together and continue to experience each other's company.
I got some memories to look back on
I have some good memories to remember while we are apart.
And though they help me when you're gone
Although these memories provide some comfort when we're apart.
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of your being there
I know that nothing can replace the experience of physically being with you.
Oh, so glad we got the real thing, baby
Expressing gratitude for having the real person.
So glad we got the real thing
Reiterating that they are happy to have the real person.
Oh, Marvin, so good, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby, so good
Expressing delight and affirmation that nothing compares to the real person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Emphasizing that nothing compares to the real person.
Talk to me, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby, oh I'm so glad
Asking for the other person to talk to them and expressing joy in having the real person.
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Reiterating that nothing can replace the real person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
Ooh, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
No, no, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Oh honey
I've got your picture hanging on the wall
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name
I realize it's just a picture in a frame
Ooh, I read your letters when you're not near me
But they don't move me
And they don't groove me like when I hear
Your sweet voice whispering in my ear
Don't you know
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
I played my game, a fantasy
I pretend, but I know in reality
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me
No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much
To make me feel better
So, let's stay together
I got some memories to look back on
And though they help me when you're gone
I'm well aware
Nothing can take the place of your being there
Oh, so glad we got the real thing, baby
So glad we got the real thing
Oh, Marvin, (so good) ain't nothing like the real thing, baby, (so good, oh darling)
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Talk to me
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby (oh, I'm so glad)
Ain't nothing like the real thing
@donnamaria1000
I’m listening to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 2024 …. Class man !!! Soul at it finest … church people !!! And God is the same yesterday today and forever !
@ngoddessofvictory3565
Motown nailed it when they put Marvin and Tammi together. They brought the best out of each other vocally.
@conradford7493
Yes they did!
@michaelwoodward9894
Word one of the greatest duet of all time because duo was as successful,yet Marvin was a master at the duet having done songs with Mary Wells,Kim Weston,and later Diana Ross.
@maureskiarussell8341
@@michaelwoodward9894 Tammi 💕 and Marvin were the best together as a duet, though.
@cleverboy07
@@maureskiarussell8341 you better say that again for the world to here.🙌
@theborderer1302
@@michaelwoodward9894 Berri Gordy made Marvin sing in a key that was one pitch higher than his natural voice. It's what creates the tremendous lylical tension between him and TT.
@adedamolalafenwa9302
This song sends chills down my spine. No doubt, it remains one of their best duets together & the first song they ever recorded together, sharing the same microphone. Others were recorded using separate microphones. The result...simply MAGICAL.
@hasake8873
Ain't No Mountain High Enough was the first song they recorded, followed by Your Precious Love, etc. Ashford and Simpson didn't start to produce them until this song.
@thefamousaccountofdavid
@@hasake8873 first song with the same mic, I think they meant