The Onion Song
Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye
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You think you're so way out 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 Ah ah, 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 easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
SONG RELEASE"The Onion Song" was released in the spring of 1969 achieving massive international success.
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MUSIC LABELIt was released under the Motown label, an American record label known for being a significant influence on the history of popular music.
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ARTISTSThe song is a duet between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, two of the most popular and influential soul artists of the 1960s.
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SONGWRITERS"The Onion Song" was creatively put together by the successful songwriting duo, Ashford & Simpson. It was their first collaboration with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
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CHART PERFORMANCEDespite the song's popularity, "The Onion Song" only reached No. 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but it reached No.1 in the UK Singles Chart.
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TAMMI TERRELL'S ILLNESSAt the time "The Onion Song" was recorded, Tammi Terrell was battling a severe illness. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was unable to perform.
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CONTROVERSYThere was controversy surrounding the song due to Terrell's illness. Some believe that Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson) may have provided vocals on the recorded version of the song due to Terrell's condition.
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THEMEThe song uses the metaphor of an onion to describe global suffering, encouraging listeners to work together to solve worldwide problems. Marvin Gaye is quoted as saying the song represented "people crying all over the world" similar to an onion making people cry.
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FIRST TIME FOR GAYE-WRITTEN SONGSThe album that "The Onion Song" appeared on, "That's the Way Love Is", was the first to include several songs co-written by Gaye.
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FINAL DUET"The Onion Song", sadly, was one of the last duets produced between Gaye and Terrell before her death in 1970.
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POPULARITY IN THE UKThe song's success was significantly greater in the UK, where it went on to become one of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits. His later solo efforts in the 1970s also had substantial success in the UK.
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"The Onion Song Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27245488/Marvin+Gaye/The+Onion+Song>.
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