Login
Login

Ain't No Mountain High Enough#Chart history

{{Short description|1966 song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}

{{Infobox song

| name =

| cover = Anhme1967.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

| album = United

| B-side = Give a Little Love

| released = April 20, 1967

| recorded = December 1966{{snd}}February 1, 1967

| studio = Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit

| genre =

  • Pop{{cite web|date=February 9, 2021|title=The 20 greatest love songs of all time|url=https://www.nme.com/features/the-greatest-love-songs-as-chosen-by-nme-1415805|access-date=May 10, 2022|website=NME}}
  • soul{{cite web|last=Guarisco|first=Donald A.|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell {{!}} Song Info|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/aint-no-mountain-high-enough-mt0006122221|access-date=May 10, 2022|publisher=AllMusic}}{{cite book|first= Matthew|last= Horton|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2015 |title= 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die|chapter= Diana Ross - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough|publisher= Universe|location= New York|page= 263}}

| length = 2:28

| label = Tamla (T-54149)

| writer = {{hlist|Nickolas Ashford|Valerie Simpson}}

| producer = {{hlist|Harvey Fuqua|Johnny Bristol}}

| prev_title =

| prev_year = 2018

| next_title = Your Precious Love

| next_year = 1967

}}

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla label, a division of Motown. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and became a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes frontwoman Diana Ross. The song became Ross's first solo number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.{{cite web|title=1970 Grammy Winners|url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/13th-annual-grammy-awards|access-date=February 21, 2022|website=www.grammy.com}}

Background

The song was written by Ashford and Simpson prior to joining Motown. British soul singer Dusty Springfield wanted to record the song but the duo declined, hoping it would give them access to the Detroit-based label. As Valerie Simpson later recalled, "We played that song for her (Springfield) but wouldn't give it to her, because we wanted to hold that back. We felt like that could be our entry to Motown. Nick called it the 'golden egg'."{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/11/17/valerie-simpson-on-nick-ashford-im-not-used-to-him-not-being-here-yet/|title=Valerie Simpson on Nick Ashford: 'I'm not used to him not being here yet'|date=November 17, 2011|first=Greg |last=Kot|newspaper=Chicago Tribune}} Springfield recorded a song with a similar verse melody in "I'm Gonna Leave You" on Dusty.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recorded "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in December{{nbsp}}1966. The session marked their first together.{{sfn|Gaye|2003|pp=63, 198}} Work on the recording finished at Hitsville USA in Detroit on February 1, 1967.{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Keith |title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough |url=http://www.dftmc.info/titles/ta-01.htm |website=Don't Forget the Motor City |date=2018 |publisher=Ritchie Hardin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916142625/http://www.dftmc.info/titles/ta-01.htm |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2024}}

The original 1967 version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was a top-20 hit. According to record producers, Terrell was a little nervous and intimidated during the recording sessions because she did not rehearse the lyrics. Terrell recorded her vocals alone with producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, who added Gaye's vocal at a later date.Chin, Brian (2001). Liner notes for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: The Complete Duets. New York: Motown Records/UMG Recordings. "Ain't No Mountain" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard pop charts, and went to number three on the R&B charts.Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits. New York, NY: Billboard Books, 2006. Print. Billboard{{'}}s original review of the single stated: "Chalk up another pulsating fast smash for Gaye with his new partner Tammi Terrell. The electricity of the duo combined with the blockbuster rhythm material grooves all the way."{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2021-02-25|date=May 6, 1967|page=20|title=Spotlight Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1967/Billboard%201967-05-06.pdf}}

File:Ain't No Mountain High Enough - ad 1967.jpg advertisement, May 27, 1967]]

This original version of "Ain't No Mountain", produced by Fuqua and Bristol, was a care-free, danceable, and romantic love song that became the signature duet between Gaye and Terrell. Its success led to a string of more Ashford/Simpson penned duets (including "You're All I Need to Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Your Precious Love"). In 1999, the Gaye/Terrell version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/hall-of-fame |website=The GRAMMYs |access-date=5 September 2021}}

The Gaye/Terrell version was included in the soundtrack for the 1998 film Stepmom, the 2000 film Remember the Titans as well as the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Personnel

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col"| Chart (1967)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|19|artist=Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
scope="row"|US Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/marvin-gaye/chart-history/bsi/|title=Marvin Gaye Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

| style="text-align:center;"|3

scope="col"| Chart (2013)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{singlechart|France|90|artist=Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|80|artist=Marvin Gaye|artistid=11567|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1967|certyear=2016|access-date=June 12, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1967|certyear=2024|id=14749|access-date=December 18, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Gold|relyear=1967|certyear=2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Platinum|relyear=1967|certyear=2018|id=6132|access-date=January 2, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Platinum|number=5|type=single|relyear=1967|id=2024-09-13|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1967|certyear=2024|refname=mgttspain|accessdate=February 16, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|id=13382-4070-1|note=Digital sales since 2004|access-date=February 1, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

The Supremes and Temptations version

Diana Ross & the Supremes recorded a version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", which was more faithful to the Terrell-Gaye original version, as a duet with The Temptations. That song was an album cut from a joint LP released by Motown Records in 1968 on the two superstar groups, titled Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations.

Diana Ross solo version

{{Infobox song

| name = Ain't No Mountain High Enough

| cover = Diana-anmhe.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Diana Ross

| album = Diana Ross

| B-side = Can't It Wait Until Tomorrow

| released = July 16, 1970

| recorded = March 13, 14, and 18, 1970

| studio = Hitsville USA (Studio A), Detroit, Michigan

| venue =

| genre = Psychedelic soul{{cite book|first= Matthew|last= Horton|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2015 |title= 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die|chapter= Diana Ross - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough|publisher= Universe|location= New York|page= 263}}

| length = {{unbulleted list|{{Duration|m=6|s=18}} {{small|(album version)}}|{{Duration|m=3|s=32}} {{small|(single version)}}}}

| label = Motown (M 1169)

| writer = Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson

| producer = Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson

| prev_title = Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)

| prev_year = 1970

| next_title = Remember Me

| next_year = 1970

}}

In early 1970, after the Top 20 success of her first solo single, "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)", Ashford and Simpson had Ross re-record "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Initially, Ross was apprehensive, but was convinced to make the recording. The remake was a complete reworking of the song, featuring a style similar to gospel with elements of classical music strings and horns, and spoken-word passages from Ross. The Andantes, Jimmy Beavers, Jo Armstead, Ashford & Simpson and Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin of the Undisputed Truth were used as backing singers, giving the song a soul and gospel vocal element. Ross' version of the song was released on July 19, 1970, as the second and final single from her solo self-titled 1970 debut album by Motown.

Motown chief Berry Gordy did not like the record upon first hearing it. He hated the spoken-word passages and wanted the song to begin with the climactic chorus/bridge. It was not until radio stations nationwide were editing their own versions and adding it to their playlists that Ashford and Simpson were able to convince Gordy to release an edited three-minute version as a single. Ross' version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" rose to number one on both the pop and R&B singles charts, higher than Gaye/Terrell's version.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=501}} Ross received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song is performed in the key of B minor for most of the song, changing to C minor towards its conclusion.

In 2017, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was remixed by Eric Kupper, StoneBridge and Chris Cox, amongst others, on Motown/UMe.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/59671 |title=Diana Ross – Ain't No Mountain High Enough / Can't It Wait Until Tomorrow |year=1970 |publisher=discogs|access-date=December 18, 2017}} The remix peaked at number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-songs/2018-01-20|title=Dance Club Songs – January 20, 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=January 16, 2018}}

This song is featured in the soundtrack of the 2005 Disney animated movie Chicken Little, in which the titular character goes to watch an in-universe movie at the cinema in the climax.

This version is also featured in the fifteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race as a lip sync battle between the bottom two of the week, Princess Poppy and Amethyst, resulting in the former's elimination.

This version was also featured in the eleventh episode of the fifteenth season on Grey's Anatomy.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXVgy6KddHg |title=Catherine's Dance - Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 11 |date=2019-01-31 |last=ABC |access-date=2025-03-24 |via=YouTube}}

=Personnel=

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
align="left"|Chart (1970)

!align="left"|Peak
position

scope="row" | Australia (Go-Set){{cite web|url=https://gosetcharts.com/1970/19701205.html|title=Go-Sets National Top 40|work=Go-Set|date=5 December 1970|access-date=1 January 2020}}

|align="center"| 31

scope="row" | Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://www.top100singles.net/2011/11/every-amr-top-100-single-in-1970.html#show|title=Every Unique AMR Top 100 Single of the 1970|website=Top 100 Singles|access-date=31 December 2020}}

|align="center"| 25

scope="row" |Canada (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Billboard+HITS+OF+THE+WORLD+Ain%27t+No+Mountain+High+Enough&pg=PA64|title=Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD |magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|issn=0006-2510|volume=82|issue=40|page=64|date=3 October 1970|access-date=October 16, 2022}}

| style="text-align:center;"|4

scope="row" {{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|11|artist=Diana Ross|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|chartid=4363}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|14|artist=Diana Ross|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
scope="row" | Netherlands (Tipparade){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/diana-ross/diana-ross-ain-t-no-mountain-high-enough-19003|title=Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough|work=Dutch Top 40|access-date=October 16, 2022}}

|align="center"| 14

{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|6|artist=Diana Ross|artistid=14097|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|6|artist=Diana Ross|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Diana Ross|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
scope="row"|US Best Selling Soul Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/diana-ross/chart-history/bsi/|title=Diana Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 16, 2022}}

|align="center"|1

scope="row" |US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19700926.html |title=Top 100 1970-09-26 |website=Cashbox Magazine |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=November 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102140402/http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19700926.html |url-status=dead }}

|1

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2022)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|UKdownload|74|artist=Diana Ross|song=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|date=20220616|rowheader=true|access-date=June 10, 2022}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (1970)

!Rank

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3740&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3740.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3740|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada|website=collectionscanada.gc.ca|date=July 17, 2013}}

|97

scope="row"|U.S. Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1970.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=2016-09-30}}

|6

scope="row"|U.S. R&B (Billboard)

|24

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Diana Ross|title=Ain't No Mountain High Enough|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=13382-1291-1|access-date=March 17, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Other notable covers

  • In 1981, American disco band Inner Life released their version, which reached No. 20 on the U.S. Dance chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/inner-life-mn0000076375/awards | title=Allmusic: Inner Life – Awards | publisher=Billboard| access-date=2016-02-23}} It is particularly noted for the 10 minute Larry Levan remix.
  • In 1981, Boys Town Gang recorded a medley of the song "Remember Me" together with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". The single was a No. 5 U.S. Dance hit and a top 20 hit in Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • In 1991, Australian singer Jimmy Barnes released an album of soul remakes titled Soul Deep, including his rock version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". His version reached No. 28 in Australia in 1992.[http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jimmy+Barnes&titel=Ain%27t+No+Mountain+High+Enough&cat=s Chart Position @ Australian-Charts.com] Retrieved May 3, 2009
  • In 2003, Michael McDonald recorded his version for his studio album Motown. The song was also released as a single, charting at No. 5 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-mcdonald/chart-history/asi/|title=Michael McDonald|website=Billboard.com|access-date=June 7, 2021}}
  • In 2004, Jimmy Somerville recorded his version for his studio album Home Again. The song was also released as a single, charting in Germany at number 88.[https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-94748 Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Jimmy Somerville "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"]
  • In 2018, a remix of the Diana Ross version reached No. 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/diana-ross/chart-history/dsi/|title=Diana Ross|website=Billboard.com|access-date=June 7, 2021}}
  • In 2021, American singer Jennifer Hudson released a cover version, produced by fellow singer will.i.am.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2021-03-05 |title=Jennifer Hudson Releases Full 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' Cover |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jennifer-hudson-aint-no-mountain-high-enough-song-1137394/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}
  • In 2024, German Eurodance trio Cascada recorded a cover version for their studio album "Studio 24".

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

= Sources =

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book |last1=Gaye |first1=Frankie |title=Marvin Gaye, My Brother |date=2003 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |location=Milwaukee |isbn=978-1-61774-498-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/marvingayemybrot00fran |language=en |url-access=registration |via=the Internet Archive}}

{{Refend}}

External links

  • [http://marvin-gaye.guidechart.com/aint-no-mountain-high-enough.php Ain't No Mountain High Enough Lyrics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517212700/https://marvin-gaye.guidechart.com/aint-no-mountain-high-enough.php |date=May 17, 2021 }}
  • {{YouTube|2KLLKjxbZkQ|Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough}} (radio edit)
  • {{YouTube|EjCz_sUVZ5U|Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough}} (album version)

{{Marvin Gaye singles}}

{{Diana Ross}}

{{Jimmy Somerville}}

{{Michael McDonald}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1966 songs

Category:1967 singles

Category:1970 singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Diana Ross songs

Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients

Category:Jimmy Barnes songs

Category:Male–female vocal duets

Category:Marvin Gaye songs

Category:Michael McDonald (musician) songs

Category:Motown singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Ashford & Simpson

Category:Song recordings produced by Harvey Fuqua

Category:Song recordings produced by Johnny Bristol

Category:Songs about mountains

Category:Songs written by Nickolas Ashford

Category:Songs written by Valerie Simpson

Category:Tamla Records singles

Category:Tammi Terrell songs