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/
You're All I Need To Get By
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(You're all I need to get by, ah)
Like sweet morning dew
I took one look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my destiny
With arms open wide
I threw away my pride
I'll sacrifice for you
Dedicate my life for you (oh)
I will go where you lead (come on, baby)
Always there in time of need (oh, oh)
And when I lose my will
You'll be there to push me up the hill
There's no, no looking back for us
We got love sure 'nough, that's enough
You're all, you're all I need to get by
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Tammi, listen
Like an eagle protects his nest
For you, I'll do my best
Stand by you like a tree
And dare anybody to try and move me
Darling, in you I found
Strength where I was torn down
Don't know what's in store
But together we can open any door (oh, baby)
Just to do what's good for you (come on, darling)
I know you can make a man
Out of the soul that didn't have a goal
'Cause we, we got the right foundation
And with love and determination
You're all, you're all I want to strive for and do a little more
You're all, all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one
You're all, you're all I need
You're all I need, you're all I need to get by (oh)
Oh, baby, oh, baby
Honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, yeah
I need you, darling
Oh, I need you (you're all, all I need)
All your love, oh, ho-ho-ho-ho
I love you, darling (oh, baby)
All I need (you're all I need)
I need your love (you're all I want)
Oh, all your love now (oh, yeah)
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s song You’re All I Need To Get By express the idea of a deep and enduring love that is unshakeable. The opening lines describe the impact the special person has on the singer; seeing them is like coming across “sweet morning dew”. And just like how dew is essential to the growth and health of plants, this person is critical to the singer’s happiness and wellbeing.
The chorus repeats the song’s title and reinforces the importance of this person in the singer’s life. They are not just a passing fancy; they are the singer’s destiny. The lyrics that follow describe just how far the singer is willing to go for their love, using metaphors to highlight the depth of their commitment. The singer will throw away their pride, sacrifice for their love, dedicate their life to them, go wherever they lead, and be there in times of need. The line "And when I lose my will, you'll be there to push me up the hill" emphasizes the idea of a supportive partnership where both parties lift each other up.
The verse that follows describes how the singer will stand by their love and protect them, using the image of an eagle protecting its nest. They offer themselves as a steadfast support, a tree that cannot be moved. The lyrics suggest that the singer has found strength and purpose in their love, and together they can surmount any obstacle. The song ends with a reaffirmation of the central idea: that this person is all the singer needs.
Overall, the lyrics to You’re All I Need To Get By express the idea of love as a force of nature, an essential and enduring element of life. The lyrics use poetic and evocative imagery to convey the depth of the singer’s commitment, and the repetitive structure of the chorus reinforces the central message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all I need to get by.
You are the only thing I need to make it through life.
Like the sweet morning dew, I took one look at you,
As refreshing as morning dew, seeing you was a revelation to me.
And it was plain to see, you were my destiny.
It was clear that we were meant to be together.
With my arms open wide,
I am embracing you wholeheartedly.
I threw away my pride
I am willing to let go of my ego for you.
I'll sacrifice for you
I am willing to make sacrifices for you.
Dedicate my life for you
I am committed to dedicating my life to you.
I will go where you lead
I will follow you wherever you go.
Always there in time of need
I will always be there for you when you need me.
And when I lose my will
In times when I lack the motivation, energy, or courage,
You'll be there to push me up the hill
you will motivate and inspire me to keep moving forward.
There's no, no looking back for us
We are determined to move forward and forge ahead together.
We got love sure 'nough, that's enough
Our love is strong and genuine, which is all we need.
You're all, You're all I need to get by.
Once again, you are everything I need to make it through life.
Like an eagle protects his nest, for you I'll do my best,
Just as an eagle will fiercely protect its young, I will do my best to protect and care for you.
Stand by you like a tree, dare anybody to try and move me
I will stand firmly and steadfastly by your side, and no one can sway me from that position.
Darling in you I found
My dear, I have discovered in you
Strength where I was torn down
the strength and support that helped me overcome my difficulties.
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door
We do not know what the future holds, but we can overcome any obstacle if we work together.
Just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher
I want to do what is best for you and help you reach greater heights.
I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal
I believe that you can transform me, who once lacked direction and purpose, into a stronger and better person.
Cause we, we got the right foundation and with love and determination
Because we have a strong foundation built on love and determination.
You're all I want to strive for and do a little more
You are my motivation to work hard and go above and beyond.
All, all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one
You are everything good and joyful in this world, all packaged up into one person.
You're all I need
Once again, you are everything I need in life.
You're all I need
You are all I need to make it through anything.
You're all I need to get by.
With you, I have everything I need to get through life's ups and downs.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@onitachristian2029
Still so incredibly beautiful and perfect love song after all these years.
@phiwamdluli5518
It's so painful that they both died at an early age but their talent so unbelievable.
@sawbuzz
💯
@MissT813
This is such a beautiful song. Written by Ashford and Simpson. My favorite line: "Stand by you like a tree, and DARE anybody to try and move me."
@quejesus1563
Mine is “all the joys under the sun, wrapped into one”
@nickyricardo7034
That's 1 of my favorite lines
@djmoch1001
@@quejesus1563 That whole passage is definitely my favourite part. A&S sure knew how to make some amazing lyrics.
@scs295
One of the best duets in music history. ♥️
@heinrichvon
THE best!
@Smartass_Jedi
Both died way way too young, but they left us with several masterpieces. This is one of em. Rest easy, Marvin and Tammi ❤