The Onion Song

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"The Onion Song" was a hit for soul singers Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1970, although verious sources reports that it didn't feature Terrell on vocals. According to Gaye and the song's writers Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Terrell was so sick during the recording of the duo's third album together, Easy, due to a brain tumor, that she could not perform. To cover it up, Motown had Simpson sing the duet with Gaye, who was at unease over the plan until he was told that the new Gaye/Terrell album will help Terrell get financial support for the record. (Recently, Simpson was noted on record as denying that she ever subbed for Terrell on any recordings.)

The song became Gaye & Terrell's biggest hit in England, entering the charts on 29th November 1969 and peaking at #9 on the UK pop singles chart on 9th December 1969 prior to Terrell's March 16, 1970 death.

[edit] Credits

• All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (or Valerie Simpson)
• All instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

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