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 Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'
Tammi Terrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you got all the action
Still you can't find no satisfaction
Baby - try me, and I'll make you see
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You like to kiss and run
And that's where it is
'Cause somebody told you
Love was heartaches and tears
Baby, although you're free
I'll make you see
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Oh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You ain't livin' at all
To be in love, I know it's not your ambition
But before you go, think about my proposition
You may conquer the world and be king on a throne
But you still ain't nobody, baby
When you're sittin' all alone
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
The lyrics of Tammi Terrell's song "You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'" is a plea for love, for someone to give it a chance. The opening lines of the song suggest that the person addressed in the song is a player, too wrapped up in their "action" to find any "satisfaction". The singer asks this person to "try me", to give love a chance and see that "you ain't livin' until you're lovin'". The chorus reiterates this sentiment several times, emphasizing that one cannot truly live without love.
The second verse acknowledges that the person addressed in the song might not have any interest in falling in love, seeing it as only "heartaches and tears", something to be avoided. However, the singer tries to persuade this person to think about their proposition and realize that being alone, no matter how successful or powerful, will ultimately leave them feeling empty. The third and final verse again stresses the importance of love over everything else, even worldly success, as it is love that truly brings meaning and fulfillment to life.
Line by Line Meaning
You think you're so way out
You believe you're unique and ahead of the game
And you got all the action
You're busy with many activities
Still you can't find no satisfaction
Despite staying busy, you're not content or fulfilled
Baby - try me, and I'll make you see
I can change your perspective if you give me a chance
You ain't livin' until you're lovin', baby
You're not fully living until you experience love
Ooh, until you fall you ain't livin' at all
You're not fully experiencing life until you've taken a risk and experienced love
You like to kiss and run
You prefer casual or short-lived relationships
And that's where it is
That's where your focus is
'Cause somebody told you
You've been influenced by someone else's advice or experiences
Love was heartaches and tears
You view love as painful and emotionally challenging
Baby, although you're free
Even if you're not interested in commitment
I'll make you see
I can show you something different
To be in love, I know it's not your ambition
You don't see love as a goal or priority
But before you go, think about my proposition
Consider my offer before dismissing it
You may conquer the world and be king on a throne
You could achieve great success and power
But you still ain't nobody, baby
However, you won't feel complete without love in your life
When you're sittin' all alone
Being alone won't provide true satisfaction or meaning in life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johncraven8867
All the music they did together was good.
@musicmakesmysoulfly
So nice! Tammi has such a clear sweet voice.
@jackbutler2989
Pure class, simple true lyrics great track brings me waaaay back to the fantastic days of Motown
@LESLEYALOVE-ws7mx
CONGRATULATIONS TO
LEGENDARY
NICK ASHFORD & VALARIE SIMPSON FOR ANOTHER
GENUINE CLASSIC HIT SONG
I FOUND WAY BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN I JUST FLIPPED THAT 45'
ANOTHER TIME WITH THIS GENUINE CLASSIC PRECIOUS DIAMOND JEWEL
@shanitrahan2959
Marvin gave & tammi Terrell greatest hits i love you
@sharonhill8916
This track takes me back to the "wheel" in 1969. Great times ,great friends, still sounds great. Marvin and Tammi, no duo any better.
@virginiahall4030
I so love this song Marvin and Tammi 🤩🥰😍
@jbri1
So good. Makes me happy
@sdeschanel1
Love it! Thanks @MyOldiesButGoodies - they sure are!
@pseudofox
Excellent! :-D