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.
You're All I Need To Get By
Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're all I need to get by, oh, oh
Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you (you're all I need to get by)
And it was plain to see, you were my destiny (you're all I need to get by)
With my arms open wide (you're all I need to get by)
I threw away my pride
I'll sacrifice for you
Dedicate my life for you, oh, oh
I will go where you lead, c'mon, 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
(You're all I need to get by), oh, oh, yeah, yeah, tammi, listen
Like an eagle protects his nest, for you I'll do my best (you're all I need to get by)
Stand by you like a tree, dare anybody to try and move me (you're all I need to get by)
Darling, in you I found (you're all I need to get by)
Strength where I was torn down (you're all I need to get by)
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door
Oh, baby, just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher
Oh, I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal
'Cause we, we got the right foundation and with love and determination
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, oh, to get by (you're all I need to get by)
Ooh, baby, oh, baby (you're all I need to get by)
Honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, yeah (you're all I need to get by)
I need you darlin' (you're all I need to get by)
Oh, I need you, all your love, you're all I need, oh (you're all I need to get by)
Oh, baby, you're all I need, I need your love, you're all I want
Oh, oh, all your love, now, yeah
Tammi Terrell's song "You're All I Need To Get By" is a romantic love song about a person who has found their soulmate. The lyrics express the idea that the singer doesn't need anything else besides their lover to be happy and fulfilled. The singer compares their lover to sweet morning dew and explains that it was clear from the start that they were meant to be together. They are willing to do everything in their power to make their lover happy and will stand by them through thick and thin. The singer is confident that they can overcome any obstacle as long as they are with their lover. They are also inspired to be a better person because of their lover's love.
The song is filled with metaphors and similes that describe the powerful emotions the singer feels towards their lover. In the beginning, the singer compares their lover to sweet morning dew, which is a pleasant and refreshing experience. Later on, they compare themselves to an eagle who protects their nest and a tree that cannot be moved. These strong and immovable images emphasize the loyalty and devotion the singer has to their lover. The last lines of the song highlight the importance of their lover in their life. The singer believes that their lover is all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one and that they need them to live.
Overall, "You're All I Need To Get By" is a beautifully written love song that celebrates the power of true love. Tammi Terrell's amazing voice and passionate delivery make this song a timeless classic that still resonates with people today.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all I need to get by, oh, oh
You are the one I need to have a complete and satisfactory life
Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you (you're all I need to get by)
The moment I set my eyes on you, I felt refreshing and motivated in my life
And it was plain to see, you were my destiny (you're all I need to get by)
It was evident that you were the one who was meant to be in my life
With my arms open wide (you're all I need to get by)
I express my affection and love towards you with arms wide open
I threw away my pride
I am willing to compromise and adjust my own desires for the sake of our relationship
I'll sacrifice for you
I will willingly give up something of value for your happiness
Dedicate my life for you, oh, oh
I am committed to spending my life with you and being there for you always
I will go where you lead, c'mon, baby, always there in time of need, oh, oh
I am willing to follow your guidance and support you whenever you need me
And when I lose my will you'll be there to push me up the hill
Even when I am feeling down and out, you will be there to motivate me and bring me back up
There's no, no looking back for us
Our relationship is solid and we are moving forward together
We got love sure 'nough, that's enough
We have a strong love between us and that is all we need
Like an eagle protects his nest, for you I'll do my best (you're all I need to get by)
I am willing to do everything in my power to protect and care for you as the eagle does for its young
Stand by you like a tree, dare anybody to try and move me (you're all I need to get by)
I will support and remain loyal to you, no matter what anyone else may try to do
Darling, in you I found (you're all I need to get by)
I have discovered the most important thing in my life through you
Strength where I was torn down (you're all I need to get by)
You have given me the strength to overcome my weaknesses and challenges
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door
We are strong enough to face any challenge and overcome any obstacle together
Oh, baby, just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher
I want to encourage and uplift you to reach your full potential
Oh, I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal
You have the ability to transform and improve the life of someone who was lost without direction
You're all I want to strive for and do a little more
You are my motivation to accomplish great things and always improve myself
You're all, all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one, you're
You bring all the happiness and joy that I could ever desire in my life
All, you're all I need
You are everything that I need to be content and fulfilled in my life
You're all I need, oh, to get by (you're all I need to get by)
I need you to have a satisfying and complete life
Ooh, baby, oh, baby (you're all I need to get by)
I express my love and affection for you
Honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, yeah (you're all I need to get by)
I use sweet words of endearment to emphasize the importance of your role in my life
I need you darlin' (you're all I need to get by)
I have an intense whole-hearted need for you in my life
Oh, I need you, all your love, you're all I need, oh (you're all I need to get by)
I require your love and everything that you bring to be content and happy in my life
Oh, baby, you're all I need, I need your love, you're all I want
I am completely satisfied and fulfilled in my life as long as I have your love
Oh, oh, all your love, now, yeah
I express my need for all the love that you are willing to give me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind