You’re A Special Part Of Me – Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#12) & R&B (#4); 1973
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
On January 14, 1970, with the Supremes‘ current single – ironically titled Someday We’ll Be Together – sitting at #2, Diana Ross played her final date with the group. As a solo, Diana then racked up pop number ones with Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1971) and Touch Me In The Morning (1973).
Meanwhile, Marvin Gaye was coming off the artistic zenith of his career, What’s Going On, which yielded three R&B chart topping singles. Another single, Let’s Get It On, moved into the top pop slot two weeks after Touch Me In The Morning peaked. Sensing a golden opportunity, Motown released a 45 which paired their two reigning superstars.
Let’s Get It On was still at #2 when You’re A Special Part Of Me entered the Hot 100. Like his previous duets with Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell, this latest one with Diana proved a winner for Marvin, and became the first of three with Ms. Ross to reach the Top 20.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Berry Gordy
Lyrics Written by:
- Harold Johnson
- Andrew Porter
- Greg Wright
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).