Your Precious Love

‘Your Precious Love,’ a soulful duet by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, epitomizes the romantic spirit of 1960s Motown music. Released in 1967, the song, written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson and produced by Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, became a significant hit.

It showcases the remarkable chemistry between Gaye and Terrell, combined with the rich sounds of The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The single, blending soul and pop genres, resonated with audiences, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #2 on the R&B Singles chart, illustrating its widespread appeal.

1. Marvin and Tammi’s Version

‘Your Precious Love’ is celebrated for the harmonious blend of Marvin Gaye’s and Tammi Terrell’s vocals, creating a timeless expression of love and affection. Recorded at Hitsville USA in 1967, the song featured a doo-wop style that was characteristic of Motown records of the era.

This recording stands out for its soulful blues ballad style, as noted by Billboard, and its ability to capture the essence of romantic duets. The song’s success further solidified Gaye and Terrell’s status as one of the most beloved duos in soul music history, coming after their hit ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough‘.

2. Other Notable Versions

‘Your Precious Love‘ has inspired a variety of artists across different genres, leading to several notable cover versions. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams recorded the song for their 1978 album, ‘That’s What Friends Are For‘.

Stephen Bishop and Yvonne Elliman lent their voices to the song for the 1980 movie ‘Roadie‘ soundtrack. The song was also performed live by Al Jarreau and Randy Crawford at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981.

In the pop genre, Neil Sedaka and Dara Sedaka‘s duet version reached the Billboard Top 15 of the Adult Contemporary chart in 1984. These covers, along with renditions by artists like Seiko Matsuda, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Sarah Connor, demonstrate the song’s enduring appeal and versatility.

3. Trivia

‘Your Precious Love’ remains an iconic symbol of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s collaboration, representing a golden era in Motown’s history. The song’s influence extended beyond music, with its melody being sampled by Gerald Levert in ‘Your Smile‘ from his 2002 album ‘The G Spot‘. The song’s legacy is also reflected in its appearance in various media, including an a cappella arrangement in the 2004 film ‘Barbershop 2: Back in Business‘, showcasing its continued relevance in popular culture.

The song’s lasting impact on soul music and its role in shaping the sound of Motown continue to be celebrated by music fans worldwide.

4. Lyrics

MARVIN:
Every day there’s something new
Honey, to keep me lovin’ you
And with every passin’ minute
Ah baby, so much joy wrapped up in it

CHORUS:
TAMMI: Heaven must have sent you from above
BOTH: Wo, heaven must have sent your precious love

TAMMI: And I, I’ve got a song to sing
Tellin’ the world about the joy you bring
And you gave me a reason for livin’
And ooo, you taught me, you taught me the meaning of givin’

(chorus)

M: To find a love like ours is rare these days
‘Cause you’ve shown me happiness, yes, in so many ways
T: I look in the mirror, and I’m glad to see
Laughter in the eyes where tears used to be

M: What you’ve given me I could never return
‘Cause there’s so much, girl, I have yet to learn
T: And I wanna show, I wanna show my appreciation
‘Cause when I found you, I found a new inspiration

(repeat chorus and fade)