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"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"
"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

"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]

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

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