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/
That's How It Is
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I just can't read no more
'Cause the words upon its face are sayin' goodbye
There's a plate upon the table
Filled with food I could not eat
There's a made-up bed in the bedroom where I couldn't sleep
I just sit and weep
Oh baby, that's how it is since you've been gone
Now the curtains are drawn in my lonely room
And the darkness fills the air
And this old empty heart of mine is in despair
Even though the tears I shed
Washed the words away
I could still remember every word you had to say
They just wouldn't go away
Oh baby, that's how it is since you've been gone
That's how it is, I'm so all alone
Oh baby, you knew right from the start
That my heart was in your hands
And your every, every wish, boy, was my command
That's why I can't understand
How you could leave me here helpless, dear
Alone and afraid, oh how could such a mistake be made?
But that's how it is since you've been gone
That's how it is, I'm so alone, oh baby
That's how it is since you've been gone
That's how it is, I'm so alone
That's how it is since you've been gone
"That's How It Is" is a heart-wrenching ballad that depicts the feelings of sorrow and loneliness that come with a failed relationship. The lyrics describe a scene where the singer is left alone and devastated after the departure of her lover. The first verse talks about a letter left unread and a table full of untouched food, which symbolize the singer's inability to cope with the absence of her partner. The second verse takes a more introspective approach, with the singer's loneliness and despair leading to a dark and empty room as well as a heart that struggles to come to terms with the loss.
The chorus perfectly captures the emotion of the song, with the repeated refrain "That's how it is since you've been gone" emphasizing the overwhelming sense of loss and longing. The song's final verse expresses the singer's confusion about why the relationship ended, and her desperation to understand what went wrong. The use of the word "mistake" in this verse suggests that the singer sees the end of the relationship as something that could have been avoided, had her partner not left her alone.
In conclusion, "That's How It Is" is a powerful song that masterfully conveys the pain and sadness of a failed relationship. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, and the emotional delivery by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell make this song an unforgettable classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby, there's a letter on the floor
The singer has found a letter on the floor but cannot read it anymore.
That I just can't read no more
The singer cannot bring themselves to read the letter anymore.
'Cause the words upon its face are sayin' goodbye
The words on the letter indicate a farewell.
There's a plate upon the table
There is food on the table.
Filled with food I could not eat
The artist cannot eat the food due to their emotions.
There's a made-up bed in the bedroom where I couldn't sleep
The singer cannot sleep in the bed because of their emotional state.
I just sit and weep
The singer is crying due to their emotional pain.
Oh baby, that's how it is since you've been gone
The artist is explaining that this is how their life has changed since the person they are addressing has left them.
That's how it is, I'm so all alone
The artist is emphasizing how alone they feel without the other person.
Now the curtains are drawn in my lonely room
The artist has closed the curtains in a room where they feel lonely.
And the darkness fills the air
The singer's emotional turmoil is reflected in the metaphorical darkness filling the room.
And this old empty heart of mine is in despair
The artist is experiencing deep emotional pain and heartbreak.
Even though the tears I shed
The singer has been crying over the loss.
Washed the words away
Tears have not been enough to make the emotional pain go away.
I could still remember every word you had to say
The singer can still remember everything that the person they are addressing has said to them.
They just wouldn't go away
The words the person spoke stay lingering in the artist's mind.
Oh baby, you knew right from the start
The artist is addressing the person they are singing to.
That my heart was in your hands
The person addressed had power over the singer's emotions.
And your every, every wish, boy, was my command
The singer aimed to please the addressee.
That's why I can't understand
The artist is having difficulty understanding why they were left behind after doing what they believed was right.
How you could leave me here helpless, dear
The artist feels abandoned and helpless.
Alone and afraid, oh how could such a mistake be made?
The artist is questioning how they could be left behind alone and afraid by someone they cared for.
But that's how it is since you've been gone
This line reiterates the emotional toll of being left behind.
That's how it is, I'm so alone, oh baby
The artist is emphasizing their loneliness.
That's how it is since you've been gone
This line is a repetition of the emotional pain of being left behind.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARVEY FUQUA, JOHNNY BRISTOL, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, VERNON BULLOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alan McEwen
Just love this especially when Tammi comes in on the second verse.
John Marshall
whole album is phenomenal
fourtops100
Had this album since release, and love every track, but this one is a stand out tune