Tammi Terrell (born Thomasina Montgomery) (April 29, 1945 to March 16, 1970… Read Full Bio ↴Tammi Terrell (born Thomasina Montgomery) (April 29, 1945 to March 16, 1970) was an American Motown singer in the 1960s, best known for her duets with Marvin Gaye.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she entered the music business at the age of 13, regularly performing live. In 1961 she was signed to the fledgling Scepter Records (later Wand Records), recording under the name "Tammy Montgomery". After coming to the attention of James Brown she recorded one single apiece for Brown's own Try Me record label and, in 1964, Checker Records. The year after that, she was spotted by Berry Gordy Jr. while playing live, and signed to his Motown label. Attractive and talented, she became romantically linked with both James Brown and David Ruffin, lead singer of The Temptations.

Tammy Montgomery changed her name to "Tammi Terrell" at the time of her Motown signing, and was teamed with producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol. After releasing a pair of minor R&B chart hits, "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "Come On and See Me," Terrell was chosen to replace Kim Weston as Marvin Gaye's duet partner. The duo recorded a number of successful hits which remain popular today: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "You're All I Need to Get By", all written (and in the case of the latter two, produced by) Ashford & Simpson.

While on tour with Gaye in Virginia in mid-1967, Terrell fainted on stage, and was later diagnosed as having a malignant brain tumor. While Terrell endured several operations and continued to record new material, her health steadily deteriorated. Fuqua and Bristol resorted to having Gaye overdub archived Terrell solo tracks to fill out the Gaye/Terrell duets albums. The final album attributed to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, "Easy" (1969), actually features co-producer Valerie Simpson subbing for Terrell on all but two of the tracks.

Twelve of Tammi Terrell's solo Motown recordings, including "I Can't Believe You Love Me", "Come On and See Me," and a minor hit cover of The Isley Brothers' "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)", were issued as Terrell's only solo album, "Irresistible," in January 1969. Terrell died of brain cancer at age 24 on March 16, 1970.

Baby Don't You Worry
Tammi Terrell Lyrics

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When the dawn comes over the mountain
And when the valley is filled with dew
Don't worry, baby, baby, don't cha worry
Because I'm coming home to you
Yes, I'm coming home

When the moon rises to kiss the stars above
And when it sets deep in the blue

Don't worry, baby, don't cha worry
Because I'm home, I'm coming home to you
Yes, I'm coming home

Don't worry about me
I still care
Don't worry about me, baby
'Cause I'll be there

I still love you and I always will
Till my life is over, baby, baby
Till time stand still
Till time stand still

Don't worry about me
I'll still love you, baby
Don't worry about me, baby
I'm gonna stick right by your side, baby

I said don't, don't, don't
Don't worry about me
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't
Baby, don't cha worry, ain't goin' to worry
Because I, I, I, I, I

I still love you baby, I love you baby
I said, no, no, no, no, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tammi Terrell's song "Baby Don'tcha Worry" convey a message of reassurance and dedication from the singer to her lover. The first verse suggests the beginning of a new day, with a sunrise and dew-filled valley. The singer assures her lover not to worry, because she's coming home to him. She repeats this sentiment in the second verse when the moon is rising and setting. The chorus reiterates that the singer's partner need not worry about her, because she still cares and loves him unconditionally. She promises to always love him until the end of her life, even if time stands still.

The repeated use of "don't worry" and "I'm coming home to you" convey a sense of longing, devotion, and affection. The singer recognizes her partner's concerns and doubts but wants to reassure him that she is dedicated to their relationship. The repetition of "I still love you" emphasizes the persistence of her feelings, even through challenges.

Overall, the lyrics of "Baby Don'tcha Worry" offer a message of love and persistence in the face of uncertainty. The song suggests that no matter what happens, the singer's love for her partner will endure and thrive.

Line by Line Meaning

When the dawn comes over the mountain
When the sun starts to rise in the morning

And when the valley is filled with dew
And the dew has settled in the low-lying areas

Don't worry, baby, baby, don't cha worry
Don't be anxious, my love

Because I'm coming home to you
Because I'm coming back to be with you

Yes, I'm coming home
Indeed, I'm coming back home

When the moon rises to kiss the stars above
When the moon ascends to touch the stars above

And when it sets deep in the blue
And when it disappears into the blue sky

Because I'm home, I'm coming home to you
I'm coming back home to you

Don't worry about me
Don't fret about me

I still care
I still have feelings for you

Don't worry about me, baby
Don't be concerned about my well-being, my dear