Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing

"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,^[1] their first of two number ones hit together on the soul singles chart. The song appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Party.

Personnel

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

Chart history

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 1975, The Dynamic Superiors covered the song for their album "Pure Pleasure."
• 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 1983, Angela Bofill covered the song on her album Too Tough.
• 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 2003, Michael McDonald covered it on his album 'Motown'.
• In 2007, Boyz II Men covered it on their album 'Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA'.
• In 2008, pop stars Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé Knowles performed a cover of the song for the fifth anniversary of Condé Nast Publications' Fashion Rocks concert.
• In 2008, soap stars Tammin Sursok and Michael Graziadei performed & recorded a cover of the song for their show, The Young and the Restless.
• In 2009, Melba Moore and Phil Perry covered the song on their album The Gift Of Love.
• In 2010, Trijntje Oosterhuis feat. The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra covered the song on the album Sundays in New York produced by John Clayton.

Marcella Detroit & Elton John version

"Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" was recorded by Elton John as a duet with Marcella Detroit, and featured on his 1993 album Duets. It was also later included on Detroit's 1994 album Jewel. Released as a two-part CD single single in May 1994, it peaked at #24 in the UK. It was the third and last single released off John's album and the second lifted from Detroit's. A music video featuring both singers was filmed. The b-sides were Detroit solo tracks, and remixes of the duet.

Track listing

UK CD 1 Maxi Single LONCD 350 857 529-2

1. "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" - (3:36)
2. "Break The Chain" - (3:47)

   Written by Marcella Detroit

3. "I Feel Free" - (4:08)

   Written by Jack Bruce & Pete Brown

UK CD 2 Maxi Single LOCDP 350

1. "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" (Kenny Dope Extended Mix) - (5:48)

   Remixed by Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez

2. "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" (Troopa Mood Mix) - (3:43)

   Remixed by Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez

3. "I Feel Free" (Full Cream Mix) - (9:35)

   Remixed & Produced by Helena Marsh & Jon Marsh

4. "I Feel Free" (Cry Out Loud Mix) - (5:47)

   Remixed & Produced by Helena Marsh & Jon Marsh

References