Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing

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"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" is a 1968 single released by American R&B/soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, on the Tamla label in 1968. The B-side of the single is Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl from the duo's "United" LP. The first release off the duo's second album, You're All I Need, the song, written and produced by longtime Gaye/Terrell collaborators Ashford & Simpson, became a hit within weeks of release eventually peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart, their first of two number ones hit together on that specific chart.

[edit] Cover versions

• In 1969 Diana Ross and the Supremes with The Temptations covered the song, from the album Together.

• In 1970 The Supremes & The Four Tops together covered the song on their album The Magnificent 7.
• In 1972 The Jackson 5 covered the song on their album Lookin' Through the Windows.

• In 1974, Aretha Franklin re-recorded the song and released it as a single following the success of her song "Until You Come Back to Me", from the album Let Me in Your Life.

• In 1976 Donny & Marie Osmond covered the song on their album New Season. Their version was a moderate hit in early 1977, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• In 1993, Elton John and Marcella Detroit covered the song on Elton John's Duets album. Released as a single the following year, it peaked at #24 in the UK.

• In 1994, Gladys Knight and Vince Gill recorded the song for the Rhythm Country and Blues album where rhythm and blues singers collaborated with country music singers.

• In 2007, Boyz II Men covered it on their album 'Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA'.

[edit] Credits

• All lead vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
• Background vocals by The Andantes, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
• Produced by Ashford & Simpson
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers