If I Could Build My Whole World Around You

Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye

About If I Could Build My Whole World Around You

"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" is a popular song recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967 and released in November 14, 1967. Written by Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, and Vernon Bullock, the single was Gaye & Terrell's third single together and the second to go Top Ten on both the Pop and R&B charts of Billboard, peaking at number ten and number two, respectively. The duo's vocals go back and forth as they described what could be if either was able to "build a world" around their loved one. It was one of few songs that set the duo apart from other R&B duos of the time. In time, this song among other legendary duets by the two soul icons would become the landmark for R&B duets to this day. The song was also one of the few songs that was written by someone other than Ashford & Simpson, who had written several hit songs for the duo. Marc Broussard covered this song for his 2007 album SOS: Save Our Soul. Swedish Pop Idol winner Agnes Carlsson covered this song with Erik Hassle in 2009 for her UK debut album Dance Love Pop. 


Year:
1969
2:18
80 
#1

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Oh, if I could build my whole world around you, darling
First I'd put heaven by your side
Pretty flowers would grow wherever you walk, honey
And over your head would be the bluest sky
Then I'd take every drop of rain
And wash all your troubles away
I'd have the whole world wrapped up in you, darling
And that would be alright, oh yes it will

If I could build my whole world around you
I'd make your eyes the morning sun
I'd put so much love where there is sorrow
I'd put joy where there's never been none
Then I'd give my love to you
For you to keep for the rest of your life
Oh, and happiness would surely be ours
And that would be alright, oh, yes it would

Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo
Do-do-do-doo-doo

Oh, If I could build my whole world around you
I'd give you the greatest gift any woman could possess

And I'd step into this world you created
And give you a true love and tenderness
And there'd be something new with every tomorrow
To make this world better as days go by

That is, if I could build my whole world around you
If I could build my whole world around you
That would be all right, oh yeah

If I could build my whole world around you
If I could build my whole world around you
Then that would be all right, oh yeah

If I could just build my world, baby
If I could build it, build it, all around you

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Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned more than two decades. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he was the son of a storefront minister of a local Pentecostal church sect and grew up singing gospel in church revivals as a young child. Gaye branched out into secular music as a teenager, joining the doo-wop group The Marquees, after returning from an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, before the group was hired by Harvey Fuqua to be Harvey & The Moonglows. Following the band's separation in 1960, Gaye began working as a session drummer for the Detroit music label, Anna, before signing with Motown Records in 1961, adding an "e" to his s… more »

8 fans

Written by: Harvey Fuqua, Johnny William Bristol, Vernon Bullock

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Period
"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell was released in the United States in November 1967.
Recording Label
The song was under the famous Motown label which played a pivotal role in the racial integration of popular music.
Songwriters
The track was written by famous songwriting and producing trio, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, and Vernon Bullock.
Chart Performance
"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
B-Side
The B-Side of the single of the song was "If This World Were Mine."
Album Appearance
The song appeared on Gaye and Terrell's duet album titled "United".
Genre
The genre of the song is classified as Soul.
Cover Versions
The song was later covered by Etta James and Harvey Fuqua, and included on Etta's 1968 Cadet album "Tell Mama".
Reception
The song is considered one of the highlights of the late-'60s soul recording era.
Collaboration Dynamics
Despite their electrifying on-stage chemistry, Gaye and Terrell were just good friends. The strong bond between them, however, helped them create passionate, emotive performances, such as in "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You".

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    If I Could Build My Whole World Around You

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1968

    Billboard #10


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