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/
Your Precious Love
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey, to keep me loving you (oh, honey)
And with every passing minute (oh, sugar)
Oh baby, so much joy wrapped up in it
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent you from above
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent your precious love
Oh, and now, I've got a song to sing (oh, darlin')Tellin' the world about the joy you bring (oh, sweetheart)
And you gave me a reason for living (oh, honey)
And ooh, you taught me
You taught me the meaning of giving
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent you from above
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent your precious love, oh
To find a love like yours is rare these days
'Cause you've shown me what happiness is in so many ways
I look in the mirror and I'm glad to see
Laughter in the eyes where tears used to be
What you've given me I could never return (oh, baby)
'Cause there's so much, girl, I've yet to learn (oh, honey)
And I wanna show, I wanna show, my appreciation (oh, sugar)
'Cause when I found you
I found a new inspiration
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent you from above
Oh-oh-oh heaven must have sent your precious love
Oh-oh-oh heaven must have sent you from above
Oh-oh-oh heaven must have sent your precious love
The lyrics to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's song "Your Precious Love" speaks about the depth of the love the singer has for their partner, and how much joy they bring into their life. The first verse talks about the daily discoveries the singer makes about their partner that make them fall deeper in love. They express how much happiness this love has brought them by saying "so much joy wrapped up in it." They believe that their significant other must have been sent from heaven above.
The second verse continues to express their love and gratitude. The singer tells their partner that they have given them a reason for living by teaching them the meaning of giving. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing how much this love means to the singer, and asserting that it must have been sent from heaven. The bridge expresses how rare it is to find a love like theirs, and how it has transformed the singer's life. The final verse expresses the singer's desire to show their gratitude and appreciation while acknowledging that they still have so much to learn about love.
Overall, the lyrics to "Your Precious Love" portray a deep and meaningful love that has brought the singer immense joy and gratitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, everyday, there's something new (oh, baby)
Every day brings something new to our relationship and my love for you.
Honey, to keep me loving you (oh, honey)
You always give me reasons to keep loving you, my sweetie.
And with every passing minute (oh, sugar)
As time goes by, my love for you grows stronger, my dear.
Oh baby, so much joy wrapped up in it
Our relationship brings so much happiness and joy in my life.
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent you from above
I feel that you were sent to me from above, my love.
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have sent your precious love
Your love is truly a precious gift from heaven, my dear.
Oh, and now, I've got a song to sing (oh, darlin')
I want to sing a song about the joy that you bring into my life, my darling.
Tellin' the world about the joy you bring (oh, sweetheart)
I want to share with the world how much joy you bring into my life, my sweetheart.
And you gave me a reason for living (oh, honey)
You have given me a reason to live and to be happy, my love.
And ooh, you taught me
You have taught me so much about love and life, my dear.
You taught me the meaning of giving
You have shown me the true meaning of giving and selflessness.
To find a love like yours is rare these days
It is rare to find a love like yours in this world today.
'Cause you've shown me what happiness is in so many ways
You have shown me so many ways to be happy, my love.
I look in the mirror and I'm glad to see
I am so happy to see myself happy when I look in the mirror now that you are in my life.
Laughter in the eyes where tears used to be
I now have tears of joy in my eyes where there used to be tears of sadness.
What you've given me I could never return (oh, baby)
I could never repay you for all that you have given me, my love.
'Cause there's so much, girl, I've yet to learn (oh, honey)
I know that there is still so much more that I have yet to learn from you, my sweetie.
And I wanna show, I wanna show, my appreciation (oh, sugar)
I want to show my appreciation for you and all that you have done for me, my dear.
'Cause when I found you
Because finding you has changed my life for the better, my love.
I found a new inspiration
You have inspired me to be a better person and to live a better life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Brooks, Jerry Butler, Richard Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anitawatkins954
This song was playing. The last time my entire family was together. Who knew a few short months later we would lose my nephew, his mom my oldest sister. Than 9 months later her 18 year old son. All of one family in 9 months. This song breaks me down. That day we were all singing this song to each other.
@reerobinette7460
My heart goes out to you. In sadness we remember the ones who’ve gone before us. Good Bless you and your family.
@misslolo2420
Marvin & Tammi....one of the greatest vocal pairings of all times. ❤ ❤ ❤
@tracyskins7854
Yup yup 👍
@geoffowens4926
We're they dating for real?
@reindolffokuo8516
@@geoffowens4926 yepp sadly was abused by James Brown😔
@donkilluminati6384
@@geoffowens4926 no they were not
@maryjenkins8043
I remember when I was in college, wanted to go to LA just to meet Marvin and ask him if he was in love with Tammi....but then my dream faded on April 1st, when he died. However, I believe he would have said "Yes"
@tisha2541
“I look in the mirror and I’m glad to see - laughter in the eyes where tears used to be.” Powerful…
@Stevorific1
very.......