About the song
Background
- A Powerful Partnership: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were a sensation in the Motown world, their combined voices producing some of the label’s most soulful hits. Terrell’s energy and Gaye’s smooth delivery proved to be a perfect combination.
- Songwriters: Written by the legendary songwriting duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. This songwriting pair was responsible for countless Motown classics.
- Tragedy Amidst Success: Tammi Terrell was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1967 and sadly passed away in 1970 at the tragically young age of 24. This gave a bittersweet poignancy to their duets, particularly “You’re All I Need to Get By.”
Lyrics
The lyrics are simple but incredibly impactful, expressing the steadfast love and support of a couple who face all of life’s challenges together:
- Verse 1: The song opens with a declaration of dependence: “You’re all I need to get by.” Each partner finds strength and security in the other.
- Examples of Hardship: The singers describe moments of adversity like mountains and valleys, emphasizing that their love conquers any obstacle in their path.
- Unwavering Support: The repeated line “Just like the sweet morning dew, I took one look at you, and it was plain to see, you were my destiny” emphasizes a sense of absolute certainty and fated connection.
Themes
- Mutual Dependence: The overarching theme is the power of enduring love and the belief that two people together can overcome anything.
- Resilience: There’s a spirit of resilience in the lyrics, suggesting no matter how things get, the couple will always find their way through together.
- Strength within Unity: The song emphasizes finding strength within a relationship rather than in isolation.
Legacy
“You’re All I Need to Get By” has become one of Motown’s most famous and beloved songs, with covers by countless artists and a major resurgence in the 1990s when Method Man and Mary J. Blige sampled it for a Grammy-winning hit. Its themes of unwavering love and support continue to make it a powerful and timeless anthem.
Video
Lyrics
You’re all I need to get by
Like the sweet morning dew, I took one look at youAnd it was plain to seeYou were my destinyWith my arms open wideI threw away my prideI’ll sacrifice for youDedicate my life for you
I will go where you leadAlways there in time of needAnd when I lose my willYou’ll be there to push me up the hill
There’s no, no looking back for usWe got love, sure ‘nough, that’s enoughYou’re all, you’re all I need to get by(You’re all I need to get by) Tammi, listen
Like an eagle protects his nest, for you, I’ll do my bestStand by you like a tree, and dare anybody to try and move meDarling in you, I foundStrength where I was torn downDon’t know what’s in store, but together we can open any door
Just to do what’s good for you and inspire you a little higherI 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 determinationYou’re all, you’re all I want to strive for and do a little moreAll, all the joys under the sun wrapped up into oneYou’re all, you’re all I needYou’re all I needYou’re all I needTo get by
Oh, babeOh, babeHoney, honey, honey, honey, yeahI need you darlingOh, I need you (you’re all)All your love (all I need)Oh, oh, ohI love you darling (oh, baby)All I needI need your love (you’re all I want)Oh (oh)All you love now (yeah)