Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 34^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 34^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (202X), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, performed by 🎙 Marvin Gaye and 🎙 Tammi Terrell.

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

Thank you 🎼✍ Valerie Simpson and 🎼✍ Nick Ashford. You penned one of the greatest songs of all time: 🎵 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.  This song right here ranks among the gem of gems when it comes to Motown, no cap.  Many musicians have covered this staple, including soul legends, but the definitive take belongs to the short-lived power duo comprised of 🎙 Marvin Gaye and 🎙 Tammi Terrell. Most folks know that Gaye didn’t live long, tragically shot dead by his father in 1984 aged 44.  But Tammi Terrell didn’t make it out of her 20s, tragically dying from cancer in 1970 at just 24.  Both these musicians departed too soon but they left a surefire bop with no shortage of vocal chemistry.

Bright, exuberant, and infectious are three fitting descriptions to describe “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The moment the song comes on, particularly this late 60s rendition, it puts a smile on your face.  Honestly, there’s a vibe when Marvin Gaye enthusiastically sings, “Listen, baby / Ain’t no mountain high / Ain’t no valley low / Ain’t no river wide enough, baby.” Woo! Then Tammi picks right up where he leaves off, responding, “If you need me, call me / No matter where you re / No matter how far…” The biggest moment, of course, is the chorus, which is golden!

“Ain’t no mountain high enough

Ain’t no valley low enough

Ain’t no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you, babe.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is marvelously written, exceptionally produced in line with 60s soul (🎛 Johnny Bristol and 🎛 Harvey Fuqua), and masterfully performed by Gaye and Terrell. This exemplifies a once-in-a-lifetime gem.

🎙 Marvin Gaye & 🎙 Tammi Terrell • 💿 United • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1967

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 34 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, Motown, The Musical Hype]