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/
The Real Thing
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it over me?
If it is, save your tears
For I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam,
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home,
I'm telling you that's my home.
You had romance, did you break it by chance over me?
That I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam, mm,
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home,
Mm, that's my home.
Oh, you keep telling me, you keep telling me I'm your man.
What do I have to do to make you understand?
For I'm the type of guy who gives girl the eye, everybody knows.
But I love them and I leave them,
Break their hearts and deceive them everywhere I go.
Don't you know that I'm the type of man who is always on the roam,
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home.
Wherever I lay my hat, oh oh, that's my home, mm yeh,
That's my home and I like it that way.
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's song The Real Thing capture the singer's awareness of his tendency to hurt those around him. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer can tell that his partner is going to cry, perhaps because he has recently caused them pain. The singer then acknowledges that if their tears are because of him, they should be saved because he is not worth it. The following lines reveal that the singer is the type of person who is "always on the roam," never staying in one place for too long. He has no concrete home and leaves a trail of broken hearts and deception wherever he goes. Despite this behavior, the singer's partner insists that he is their man, yet he knows he is not deserving of their love.
The song explores themes of love, commitment, and personal responsibility. The singer is aware of his flaws and knows that he does not deserve his partner's affection. However, he also recognizes that he is not in control of his actions, as he is always moving and leaving people behind. The chorus, "Wherever I lay my hat that's my home," suggests that the singer is comfortable with this way of life and does not want to change. Despite this, there is a sense of sadness in the lyrics, as the singer knows that he is hurting those who care for him.
Line by Line Meaning
By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry.
I can see that you're about to cry just by looking at your eyes.
Is it over me?
Are you crying because of me?
If it is, save your tears
If it's because of me, don't waste your tears.
For I'm not worth it, you see.
Because I'm not worth it, you know?
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam,
Because I'm the kind of guy who never stays in one place,
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home,
and wherever I happen to be, that's where I call home.
You had romance, did you break it by chance over me?
Did our romance end because of me?
If it's so I'd like for you to know
If that's the case, I want you to know,
That I'm not worth it, you see.
that it's not worth getting upset over me.
Oh, you keep telling me, you keep telling me I'm your man.
You keep saying that I'm your guy,
What do I have to do to make you understand?
What do I need to do to make you see?
For I'm the type of guy who gives girl the eye, everybody knows.
Because everyone knows that I'm the kind of guy who flirts with women.
But I love them and I leave them,
But I don't stay with them, even if I like them,
Break their hearts and deceive them everywhere I go.
I break their hearts and betray them wherever I am.
Don't you know that I'm the type of man who is always on the roam,
You should know that I'm always on the move.
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home.
Anywhere I happen to be is where I belong.
Wherever I lay my hat, oh oh, that's my home, mm yeh,
Wherever I happen to be, that's where I belong, yes,
That's my home and I like it that way.
and I like it that way.
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