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.^[1][2]

"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"
Single by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
from the album United
B-side	"If This World Were Mine"
Released	November 14, 1967
Recorded	Hitsville USA; March 16 & 21, 1967
Genre	Soul, pop
Length	2:26
Label	Tamla 54161
Songwriter(s)	Harvey Fuqua Johnny Bristol Vernon Bullock
Producer(s)	Harvey Fuqua Johnny Bristol
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell singles chronology
"Your Precious Love" (1967) "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" / "If This World Were Mine" (1967) "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (1968)

Background

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.

Billboard described the single as a "groovy blues item headed right for a choice spot on the top 100" with a "powerful vocal performance by the duet."^[3] Cash Box said that "vocal performances with enough power to make the side are highlighted by some wonderful lively arrangements."^[4]

Personnel

• All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Chart performance

Chart (1967-68)	Peak position
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[5]	41
US Billboard Hot 100	10
US Best Selling R&B Singles (Billboard)	2

References

1. The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 7: 1967 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.
3. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. November 25, 1967. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
4. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 25, 1967. p. 30. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
5. "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.