Music Metrics Vault

Tammi Terrell

Data updated on 2024-10-09 13:17:06 UTC
Singer Tammi Terrell joined forces with the immortal Marvin Gaye to create some of the greatest love songs ever to emerge from the Motown hit factory; sadly, their series of classic duets -- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "You're All I Need to Get By" among them -- came to an abrupt and tragic halt with her premature death. Terrell was born Thomasina Montgomery in Philadelphia on April 29, 1945; after winning a number of local talent contests, by the age of 13 she was regularly opening club dates for acts including Gary "U.S." Bonds and Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles. In 1961, she was discovered by producer Luther Dixon and signed to Scepter. Credited as Tammy Montgomery, she made her debut with the single "If You See Bill," followed early the next year by "The Voice of Experience." After James Brown caught Terrell's live act, she was signed to his Try Me label, issuing "I Cried" in 1963 and also touring with his live revue. "If I Would Marry You" appeared on Checker a year later, during which time she also studied pre-med at the University of Pennsylvania.

While performing with Jerry Butler in Detroit in 1965, Terrell was spotted by Motown chief Berry Gordy, Jr., making her label debut with "I Can't Believe You Love Me." When subsequent outings "Come On and See Me," "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)," and "Hold Me Oh My Darling" earned little notice, she was paired with Gaye, who previously recorded duets with Mary Wells and Kim Weston. His chemistry with Terrell was immediate and in 1967, they entered the pop Top 20 with the magnificent "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," the first in a series of lush, sensual hits authored by the husband-and-wife team of Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. "Your Precious Love" cracked the Top Five a few months later and in 1968, the twosome topped the R&B charts with both "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "You're All I Need to Get By." The success of these later hits was nevertheless tempered by Terrell's off-stage travails -- after an extended period of severe migraine headaches, in 1967 she collapsed in Gaye's arms while in concert at Virginia's Hampton-Sydney College, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Although the tumor forced Terrell to retire from performing live, she continued to record with Gaye even as her health deteriorated; however, as time went on, Valerie Simpson herself assumed uncredited vocal duties on a number of hits, including 1969's "Good Lovin' Ain't Easy to Come By" and "What You Gave Me." (For several other tracks, Gaye's vocals were added to pre-existing Terrell solo recordings.) In all, Terrell endured eight operations, ultimately resulting in loss of memory and partial paralysis; she finally died in Philadelphia on March 16, 1970. Gaye was so devastated by her decline and eventual passing that he retired from the road for three years; her loss also contributed greatly to the spiritual turmoil which informed his 1971 masterpiece What's Going On. At the time of her death, Tammi Terrell was just 24 years old. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Total plays

3.3 billion
Updated on 2024-10-09

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

16,059,146

Followers

187,800

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    250,907 listeners
  2. Australia
    235,640 listeners
  3. Australia
    195,907 listeners
  4. France
    183,234 listeners
  5. Brazil
    154,733 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
1,458,741,889 2:33 1967-08-29
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
1,457,682,543 2:32 2001-11-20
You're All I Need To Get By
You're All I Need To Get By
73,507,135 2:54 1968-01-01
You're All I Need To Get By
You're All I Need To Get By
73,486,575 2:51 2011-03-01
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
32,199,678 2:19 1968-01-01
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
32,185,900 2:16 2011-01-01
Your Precious Love
Your Precious Love
26,676,471 3:04 1970-01-01
Your Precious Love
Your Precious Love
26,665,948 3:07 1967-08-29
If This World Were Mine
If This World Were Mine
8,408,106 2:46 1967-08-29
If This World Were Mine
If This World Were Mine
8,404,693 2:43 1995-04-25
Oh Yes (feat. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
Oh Yes (feat. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
8,359,736 2:39 2020-07-17
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Stereo Version
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Stereo Version
7,217,522 2:23 1970-01-01
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
7,215,144 2:26 1967-08-29
California Soul
California Soul
6,617,320 2:55 1969-01-08
Two Can Have A Party
Two Can Have A Party
5,249,235 2:19 1967-08-29
Two Can Have A Party
Two Can Have A Party
5,248,010 2:18 2001-07-01
All I Do Is Think About You
All I Do Is Think About You
4,593,737 2:59 2002-01-01
Somethin’ Stupid
Somethin’ Stupid
2,930,278 2:46 1967-08-29
The Onion Song
The Onion Song
2,586,338 3:01 1969-01-08
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - DJ Komori Remix
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - DJ Komori Remix
1,717,628 3:36 2019-07-17
You've Got What It Takes
You've Got What It Takes
1,358,497 2:59 1967-08-29
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Lofi Flip
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Lofi Flip
1,181,339 4:23 2022-04-22
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By
1,168,496 2:30 1969-01-08
Hold Me Oh My Darling
Hold Me Oh My Darling
911,870 2:50 1967-08-29
Come On And See Me
Come On And See Me
883,840 2:21 1968-01-01
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
882,311 2:57 2001-07-01
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
882,254 2:58 1968-01-01
Two Can Have A Party
Two Can Have A Party
787,580 2:34 2010-01-01
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey
749,343 2:34 1968-01-01
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey
Keep On Lovin' Me Honey
749,206 2:30 1995-04-25
Keep On Loving Me, Honey
Keep On Loving Me, Honey
749,206 2:31 2011-03-01
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'
732,482 2:49 1968-01-01
Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl
Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl
681,709 2:46 1967-08-29
Sad Wedding
Sad Wedding
660,153 3:27 1967-08-29
Give A Little Love
Give A Little Love
657,934 3:01 1967-08-29
Oh How I'd Miss You
Oh How I'd Miss You
625,457 2:37 1967-08-29
This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
522,435 2:26 1968-01-01
Can't Stop Now (Love Is Calling)
Can't Stop Now (Love Is Calling)
462,070 2:40 1968-01-01
My Heart
My Heart
426,117 2:55 2005-01-01
What You Gave Me
What You Gave Me
411,325 2:41 1970-01-01
What You Gave Me
What You Gave Me
411,199 2:47 1969-01-08
I'll Never Stop Loving You Baby
I'll Never Stop Loving You Baby
377,629 3:24 1968-01-01
Baby Don't Cha Worry
Baby Don't Cha Worry
357,115 2:59 1968-01-01
Baby Don't You Worry
Baby Don't You Worry
357,115 2:53 2011-03-01
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone)
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone)
335,764 3:28 2010-01-01
Oh Yes (feat. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) [Paris Green Re-Edit]
Oh Yes (feat. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) [Paris Green Re-Edit]
326,477 3:25 2024-01-12
I'm Your Puppet
I'm Your Puppet
326,390 3:02 1969-01-08
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart - Previously Unreleased
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart - Previously Unreleased
322,075 2:38 2001-11-20
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin' - Stereo Version
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin' - Stereo Version
297,731 2:48 1970-01-01
I Can't Believe You Love Me
I Can't Believe You Love Me
285,926 2:38 1968-01-01
I Can't Believe You Love Me
I Can't Believe You Love Me
285,872 2:34 2011-03-01
Baby I Need Your Loving
Baby I Need Your Loving
271,407 3:15 1969-01-08
I Gotta Find A Way To Get You Back
I Gotta Find A Way To Get You Back
227,563 2:59 2001-07-01
I Cried
I Cried
227,316 2:44 1998-03-01
Come On And See Me
Come On And See Me
218,699 2:29 1968-01-01
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart
211,729 2:31 1968-01-01
I Can't Help But Love You
I Can't Help But Love You
197,538 2:51 1968-01-01
Love Woke Me Up This Morning
Love Woke Me Up This Morning
192,833 2:34 1969-01-08
What A Good Man He Is
What A Good Man He Is
184,887 2:60 1968-01-01
What A Good Man He Is
What A Good Man He Is
184,856 3:02 2011-03-01
Give In, You Just Can't Win
Give In, You Just Can't Win
181,765 2:37 1968-01-01
Memory Chest
Memory Chest
174,843 2:59 1968-01-01
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone)
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone)
161,814 3:03 1968-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Ben Human Remix
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Ben Human Remix
161,760 3:25 2005-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
154,083 2:25 2001-11-20
Hold Me Oh My Darling
Hold Me Oh My Darling
140,479 2:38 1968-01-01
Hold Me Oh My Darling
Hold Me Oh My Darling
140,448 2:40 2011-03-01
This Poor Heart Of Mine
This Poor Heart Of Mine
131,673 2:45 1969-01-08
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone) - Previously Unreleased
That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone) - Previously Unreleased
124,590 3:01 2001-11-20
If You Don't Think
If You Don't Think
114,402 1:53 1998-03-01
Give In, You Just Can't Win - Previously Unreleased
Give In, You Just Can't Win - Previously Unreleased
110,965 2:35 2001-11-20
Satisfied Feelin'
Satisfied Feelin'
103,120 2:58 1969-01-08
Oh How I'd Miss You - Demo
Oh How I'd Miss You - Demo
100,159 2:40 2001-11-20
How You Gonna Keep It (After You Get It)
How You Gonna Keep It (After You Get It)
98,455 2:55 1969-01-08
More, More, More
More, More, More
89,199 2:32 1969-01-08
I Can't Go On Without You
I Can't Go On Without You
86,751 2:35 1968-01-01
I Can't Believe You Love Me
I Can't Believe You Love Me
84,850 2:47 1969-01-08
More, More, More - Previously Unreleased
More, More, More - Previously Unreleased
84,187 2:43 2001-11-20
Baby Don't Cha Worry
Baby Don't Cha Worry
70,590 2:40 2001-11-20
Just Too Much To Hope For
Just Too Much To Hope For
69,418 2:54 1968-01-01
Just Too Much To Hope For
Just Too Much To Hope For
69,393 2:56 2011-03-01
That's What Boys Are Made For
That's What Boys Are Made For
66,503 3:04 1968-01-01
Memory Chest - Previously Unreleased
Memory Chest - Previously Unreleased
65,732 3:00 2001-11-20
Slow Down
Slow Down
57,988 2:49 2001-07-01
We'll Be Satisfied - Alternate Take
We'll Be Satisfied - Alternate Take
57,271 2:37 2001-11-20
He's The One I Love
He's The One I Love
47,432 2:36 1968-01-01
Kissing In The Shadows
Kissing In The Shadows
45,331 2:54 2010-01-01
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - The Rurals Cool Mix
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - The Rurals Cool Mix
44,033 5:49 2019-05-17
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - The Motown Story: The 60s Version
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - The Motown Story: The 60s Version
43,769 3:51 2003-01-01
Give In, You Just Can't Win
Give In, You Just Can't Win
43,073 2:39 2010-01-01
Lone, Lonely Town
Lone, Lonely Town
41,445 2:53 2001-07-01
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Alternate Take
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Alternate Take
36,955 3:33 2001-11-20
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin' - Previously Unreleased
You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin' - Previously Unreleased
32,014 2:25 2001-11-20
There Are Things
There Are Things
31,047 3:12 2011-03-01
Memory Chest
Memory Chest
28,542 3:08 2010-01-01
My Heart
My Heart
26,877 3:04 2010-01-01
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart
When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart
25,495 2:40 2010-01-01
This Poor Heart Of Mine
This Poor Heart Of Mine
24,625 2:40 2011-03-01
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
22,632 2:21 2011-03-01
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
20,492 3:00 2010-08-01
You Ain’t Livin’ ’Till You’re Lovin’
You Ain’t Livin’ ’Till You’re Lovin’
18,948 2:50 2010-01-01
Beware Of A Stranger
Beware Of A Stranger
18,321 2:47 2010-01-01
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By
Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By
18,205 2:19 1995-04-25
It’s Been A Long Time Happenin’
It’s Been A Long Time Happenin’
17,647 2:30 2010-01-01
More, More, More
More, More, More
16,871 2:46 2010-01-01
Medley: What A Difference A Day Makes/Runnin’ Out Of Fools/ Tell Me The Truth/Baby Love - Live
Medley: What A Difference A Day Makes/Runnin’ Out Of Fools/ Tell Me The Truth/Baby Love - Live
16,146 4:48 2010-01-01
This Old Heart Of Mine
This Old Heart Of Mine
15,812 2:27 2011-03-01
There Are Things
There Are Things
14,619 3:12 2010-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
13,932 2:20 2010-12-05
Come On And See Me
Come On And See Me
13,242 2:20 2011-03-01
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely
13,221 3:36 2010-01-01
Almost Like Being In Love - Live
Almost Like Being In Love - Live
13,200 1:53 2010-01-01
Sinner's Devotion
Sinner's Devotion
11,961 2:46 2011-02-01
Come On And See Me - Live
Come On And See Me - Live
11,792 2:58 2010-01-01
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
10,638 2:58 2011-03-01
I Can't Believe You Love Me - Live
I Can't Believe You Love Me - Live
10,127 2:31 2010-01-01
Stage Dialogue With Emcee Scott Regan - Live
Stage Dialogue With Emcee Scott Regan - Live
9,287 0:40 2010-01-01
If You See Bill
If You See Bill
8,871 2:60 1984-01-01
There Are Things
There Are Things
8,345 3:11 2001-07-01
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
7,574 3:23 2018-12-14
Make The Night Just A Little Longer
Make The Night Just A Little Longer
6,796 2:26 2011-03-01
Make The Night Just A Little Longer
Make The Night Just A Little Longer
6,795 2:28 1984-01-01
Voice Of Experience
Voice Of Experience
6,617 2:11 2011-03-01
It's Mine
It's Mine
6,570 2:27 2011-03-01
Sinner's Devotion
Sinner's Devotion
6,332 2:45 1984-01-01
I Cried
I Cried
5,857 2:48 2011-03-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Acoustic Cover
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Acoustic Cover
5,795 1:56 2019-06-13
There Are Things - Single Version
There Are Things - Single Version
5,727 2:28 2007-07-31
If I Would Marry You
If I Would Marry You
5,593 2:40 2011-03-01
Big John
Big John
5,462 2:35 2011-03-01
It's Mine
It's Mine
5,203 2:27 1984-01-01
Can't Stop Now, Love Is Calling
Can't Stop Now, Love Is Calling
5,180 2:41 2011-03-01
Voice Of Experience
Voice Of Experience
5,101 2:12 1984-01-01
Sinner's Devotion
Sinner's Devotion
4,577 2:43 2011-03-01
If You See Bill
If You See Bill
4,148 2:60 2011-03-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - DJ Komori Remix / Non Stop Version
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - DJ Komori Remix / Non Stop Version
4,101 3:24 2019-11-27
Big John
Big John
3,916 2:35 1984-01-01
I Can't Go On Without You
I Can't Go On Without You
3,308 2:37 2011-03-01
You're All I Need to Get By - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
You're All I Need to Get By - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
2,943 2:52 2010-12-05
You're All I Need To Get By - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
You're All I Need To Get By - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
1,515 0:48 2019-08-14
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Acoustic Cover
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Acoustic Cover
1,500 4:08 2019-05-17
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
< 1000 2:39 2005-03-01
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Karaoke Version In the Style of Marvin Gaye
< 1000 2:07 2010-12-05

New releases

Ain't No Mountain High Enough (DJ Komori Remix)
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (DJ Komori Remix)
2019-07-17
[UNI/MOTOWN]
The Very Best Of
The Very Best Of
2011-03-01
[Master Classics Records]
Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection
Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection
2010-01-01
[Hip-O Select]
The Complete Duets
The Complete Duets
2001-11-20
[UNI/MOTOWN]
The Essential Collection
The Essential Collection
2001-07-01
[UNI/MOTOWN]
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
2000-04-11
[UNI/MOTOWN]
The Early Show
The Early Show
1984-01-01
[Wand Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1970-01-01
[Motown]
Irresistible Tammi Terrell
Irresistible Tammi Terrell
1969-01-26
[Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.]
Easy
Easy
1969-01-08
[UNI/MOTOWN]
You're All I Need
You're All I Need
1968-01-01
[UNI/MOTOWN]
Irresistible
Irresistible
1968-01-01
[UNI/MOTOWN]
United
United
1967-08-29
[UNI/MOTOWN]