Ai n't No Mountain High Enough - wikipedia Ai n't No Mountain High Enough `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' Single by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell from the album United B - side `` Give a Little Love '' Released April 20, 1967 Format 7 - inch single Recorded December 1966 -- February 1967 Studio Hitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan Genre Soul rhythm and blues pop Length 2 : 28 Label Tamla ( T - 54149 ) Songwriter ( s ) Nickolas Ashford Valerie Simpson Producer ( s ) Harvey Fuqua Johnny Bristol Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell singles chronology `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' ( 1967 ) `` Your Precious Love '' ( 1967 ) `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' is an R&B / soul 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, becoming a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes frontwoman Diana Ross. The song became Ross ' first solo number - one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Contents 1 History 1.1 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell original 1.2 The Supremes and Temptations version 2 Diana Ross solo version 3 Chart history 3.1 Weekly charts 3.2 Year - end charts 3.3 Credits and personnel 4 Notable remakes / Usage in media 5 Personnel 5.1 Gaye / Terrell version 6 See also 7 References 8 External links History Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell original 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 would n'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 '. '' Dusty recorded a similar verse melody in ' I 'm Gonna Leave You ' on Dusty. The original 1967 version of `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' was a top twenty hit. According to record producers, Terrell was a little nervous and intimidated during recording 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. `` Ai n't No Mountain '' peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard pop charts, and went to number three on the R&B charts. This original version of `` Ai n'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 '', `` Ai n't Nothing Like the Real Thing '', and `` Your Precious Love '' ). The Gaye / Terrell version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and is regarded today as one of the most important records ever released by Motown. The Supremes and Temptations version Diana Ross & The Supremes recorded a version of `` Ai n'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 `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' Single by Diana Ross from the album Diana Ross B - side `` Ca n't It Wait Until Tomorrow '' Released July 16, 1970 Format 7 - inch single Recorded March 13, 14, and 18, 1970 Studio Hitsville USA ( Studio A ), Detroit, Michigan Genre Soul Length 6 : 18 ( album version ) 3 : 32 ( single version ) Label Motown ( M 1169 ) Songwriter ( s ) Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson Producer ( s ) Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson Diana Ross singles chronology `` Reach Out and Touch ( Somebody 's Hand ) '' ( 1970 ) `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' ( 1970 ) `` Remember Me '' ( 1970 ) In spring 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 `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough ''. Initially, Ross was apprehensive, but was convinced to make the recording. The remake was similar to gospel with elements of classical music strings ( provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra ), spoken word passages from Ross, with The Andantes, Jimmy Beavers, Jo Armstead, Ashford & Simpson and Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin of The Undisputed Truth as backing singers, giving the song a soul and gospel vocal element. 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 `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' rose up to number one on both the pop and R&B singles charts. Ross received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This version is in the key of C minor for most of the song, then towards the end, the key changes to F sharp major. In 2017, `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' was remixed by Eric Kupper, StoneBridge, and Chris Cox, amongst others, on Motown / UMe. The new remix went to number one on the Billboard US Dance Club Songs chart. Chart history Weekly charts Chart ( 1970 ) Peak position Australia 25 Canada 7 Ireland 14 UK 6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 6 U.S. Billboard R&B U.S. Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts Chart ( 1970 ) Rank Canada 97 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 6 U.S. R&B ( Billboard ) 16 Credits and personnel Lead vocals by Diana Ross Background vocals by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Joshie Armstead, Jimmy Beavers, and The Andantes : Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, with Valerie Simpson on the piano. Notable remakes / usage in media Hugh Masekela included the song in his 1968 album The Promise of a Future. In 1981, American Disco band Inner Life from Salsoul Records released their version, which topped # 20 on US Dance Chart. The Boys Town Gang formed a medley of the two songs `` Remember Me '' and `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' in 1981. The single was a club hit. Australian singer Jimmy Barnes released an album of soul remakes titled Soul Deep in 1991, including his rock version of `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough ''. His version reached # 28 in Australia in 1992. In 1993, the film Sister Act 2 : Back in the Habit, incorporates a unique mashup cover version, in which the verses and chorus of the song contain the original Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version, whereas the Diana Ross version 's bridge and ending are used. It is performed by Whoopi Goldberg and the rest of the cast. The original Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version was used in the 1998 film Stepmom ( film ) when Jackie decides to dance with her children Anna and Ben. The song was used in the 1999 film Our Friend, Martin. Performed by Debelah Morgan In 2000, Dutch airline carrier KLM used the Supremes / Temptations version in a commercial. Also in 2000, Disney featured the song in the sports drama film Remember the Titans. Both in 2003 and 2004, Swedish girl group Play covered the song on their albums Replay, and Do n't Stop the Music with both members Janet Leon, and Fanny Hamlin. In 2004, Scottish singer Jimmy Somerville covered the song in his album `` Home Again ''. In 2005, the Diana Ross version was featured at the end of the animated film Chicken Little. In 2006, Australian vocal group Human Nature included a remake on the second album of their Motown trilogy, Dancing in the Street : the Songs of Motown II. The album debuted at # 1 on the ARIA charts. Also in 2003, Michael McDonald included the song on the first of his Motown trilogy, Motown. In 2009, Lucy Hale and Courtney Thorne - Smith performed a cover of the song from the television film Sorority Wars. In 2011, the song was re-recorded by Paul Epworth and used in a commercial for DHL. In 2011, the French singer Chimène Badi recorded a version with the singer Billy Paul. In 2013, Michael Bolton recorded the song with Kelly Rowland for his 2013 album Ai n't No Mountain High Enough -- Tribute to Hitsville. Amy Winehouse used the backing of the song in `` Tears Dry on Their Own '' in her second and final album, Back to Black. An orchestral version of the song was featured in a TD Canada Trust commercial that debuted in 2017. In 2018, a remix of the Diana Ross version reached # 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. Diana Ross appeared at the Abbey Night Club in West Hollywood to promote the new remix. Personnel Gaye / Terrell version All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and Detroit Symphony Orchestra See also List of number - one dance singles of 2018 ( U.S. ) References Jump up ^ `` Valerie Simpson interview ; Ashford and Simpson remembered ''. Chicago Tribune. Jump up ^ Chin, Brian ( 2001 ). Liner notes for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell : The Complete Duets. New York : Motown Records / UMG Recordings. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 R&B and Hip - Hop Hits. New York, NY : Billboard Books, 2006. Print. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2004 ). Top R&B / Hip - Hop Singles : 1942 -- 2004. Record Research. p. 501. Jump up ^ `` Diana Ross -- Ai n't No Mountain High Enough / Ca n't It Wait Until Tomorrow ''. discogs. Retrieved December 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dance Club Songs -- January 20, 2018 ''. Billboard. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018. Jump up ^ ( Joel Whitburn 's Top Pop Singles 1955 -- 2002 ) ^ Jump up to : `` 1969 : The Top 100 Soul / R&B Singles ''. Rate Your Music. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 27. Jump up ^ `` Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada ''. collectionscanada.gc.ca. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Hits of 1970 / Top 100 Songs of 1970 ''. Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Allmusic : Inner Life -- Awards ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2016 - 02 - 23. Jump up ^ Chart Position @ Australian-Charts.com Retrieved May 3, 2009 Jump up ^ `` DHL Express presents `` The International Specialists '' ``. DHL. May 31, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Ai n't No Mountain High Enough Lyrics Marvin Gaye singles 1960s : ( Tamla ) 1961 `` Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide '' 1962 `` Sandman '' `` Soldier 's Plea '' `` Stubborn Kind of Fellow '' `` Hitch Hike '' 1963 `` Pride and Joy '' `` Can I Get a Witness '' 1964 `` You 're a Wonderful One '' `` Once Upon a Time '' `` What 's the Matter with You Baby '' `` Try It Baby '' `` Baby Do n't You Do It '' `` What Good Am I Without You '' `` How Sweet It Is ( To Be Loved by You ) '' 1965 `` I 'll Be Doggone '' `` Pretty Little Baby '' `` Ai n't That Peculiar '' 1966 `` One More Heartache '' `` Take This Heart of Mine '' `` Little Darling ( I Need You ) '' `` It Takes Two '' 1967 `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' `` Your Unchanging Love '' `` Your Precious Love '' `` You '' `` If I Could Build My Whole World Around You '' / `` If This World Were Mine '' 1968 `` Ai n't Nothing Like the Real Thing '' `` You 're All I Need to Get By '' `` Chained '' `` Keep On Lovin ' Me Honey '' `` You Ai n't Livin ' till You 're Lovin ' '' `` His Eye Is on the Sparrow '' `` I Heard It Through the Grapevine '' 1969 `` Good Lovin ' Ai n't Easy to Come By '' `` Too Busy Thinking About My Baby '' `` That 's the Way Love Is '' `` Abraham, Martin and John '' `` What You Gave Me '' `` How Can I Forget '' 1970s : ( Tamla ) 1970 `` Gonna Give Her All the Love I 've Got '' `` The Onion Song '' `` California Soul '' `` The End of Our Road '' 1971 `` What 's Going On '' `` Mercy Mercy Me ( The Ecology ) '' `` Inner City Blues ( Make Me Wanna Holler ) '' `` Save the Children '' 1972 `` You 're the Man '' `` Trouble Man '' `` I Want to Come Home for Christmas '' 1973 `` Let 's Get It On '' `` You 're a Special Part of Me '' `` Stop, Look, Listen ( To Your Heart ) '' `` Come Get to This '' `` You Sure Love to Ball '' `` My Mistake ( Was to Love You ) '' `` Do n't Knock My Love '' `` You Are Everything '' `` Distant Lover '' 1976 `` I Want You '' `` After the Dance '' `` Since I Had You '' 1977 `` Got to Give It Up '' 1978 `` Pops, We Love You ( A Tribute to Father ) '' 1979 `` A Funky Space Reincarnation '' `` Anger '' `` Ego Tripping Out '' 1980s : ( Tamla / Columbia ) 1981 `` Praise '' `` Heavy Love Affair '' 1982 `` Sexual Healing '' `` My Love Is Waiting '' `` ' Til Tomorrow '' `` Joy '' Posthumous 1985 `` Sanctified Lady '' `` It 's Madness '' `` Just Like '' 1986 `` The World Is Rated X '' 1991 `` My Last Chance '' `` Lucky, Lucky Me '' 1995 `` This Love Starved Heart Of Mine ( It 's Killing Me ) '' `` Music '' 2005 `` Let 's Get It On ( The M.P.G. Groove Remix ) '' 2015 `` Where Are We Going '' Book Category Portal Diana Ross singles Discography 1970s singles `` Reach Out and Touch ( Somebody 's Hand ) '' `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' `` Remember Me '' `` Reach Out ( I 'll Be There ) '' `` Surrender '' `` I 'm Still Waiting '' `` Good Morning Heartache '' `` Touch Me in the Morning '' `` You 're a Special Part of Me '' `` Last Time I Saw Him '' `` My Mistake ( Was to Love You ) '' `` You Are Everything '' `` Do n't Knock My Love '' `` Stop, Look, Listen ( To Your Heart ) '' `` Theme from Mahogany ( Do You Know Where You 're Going To ) '' `` Love Hangover '' `` Gettin ' Ready for Love '' `` Ease on Down the Road '' `` Pops, We Love You ( A Tribute to Father ) '' `` What You Gave Me '' `` The Boss '' `` It 's My House '' 1980s singles `` Upside Down '' `` I 'm Coming Out '' `` My Old Piano '' `` It 's My Turn '' `` Endless Love '' `` Why Do Fools Fall in Love '' `` Mirror, Mirror '' `` Muscles '' `` Pieces of Ice '' `` All of You '' `` Swept Away '' `` Missing You '' `` Eaten Alive '' `` Chain Reaction '' 1990 -- 2000s singles `` When You Tell Me That You Love Me '' `` Someday We 'll Be Together '' ( Remix ) `` Take Me Higher '' `` I Will Survive '' `` Not Over You Yet '' `` Goin ' Back '' `` I 've Got a Crush on You '' Featured singles `` A Brand New Day '' `` We Are the World '' Book Category Template Jimmy Somerville Discography Studio albums Read My Lips Dare to Love Manage the Damage Home Again Compilations The Singles Collection 1984 / 1990 The Very Best of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat and The Communards For a Friend : The Best of Bronski Beat, The Communards & Jimmy Somerville Singles `` Suspicious Minds '' `` Comment te dire adieu '' `` You Make Me Feel ( Mighty Real ) '' `` Read My Lips ( Enough Is Enough ) '' `` To Love Somebody '' `` Smalltown Boy ( ' 91 Remix ) '' `` Gimme Shelter '' `` Heartbeat '' `` Hurt So Good '' `` By Your Side '' `` The Number One Song in Heaven '' `` Why ? ( Almighty Mix ) '' `` Ca n't Take My Eyes Off You '' `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' Other songs `` Love to Love You Baby '' `` Johnny Remember Me '' `` Lover Man '' `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' `` From This Moment On '' `` Someday We 'll Be Together '' `` But Not Tonight '' `` I Was Born This Way '' `` Tell Me Why '' Related articles Bronski Beat The Communards Category Book Michael McDonald Studio albums If That 's What It Takes ( 1982 ) No Lookin ' Back ( 1985 ) Take It to Heart ( 1990 ) Blink of an Eye ( 1993 ) Blue Obsession ( 2000 ) Motown ( 2003 ) Motown Two ( 2004 ) Soul Speak ( 2008 ) Wide Open ( 2017 ) Compilation albums Sweet Freedom ( 1986 ) Singles `` I Keep Forgettin ' ( Every Time You 're Near ) '' `` No Lookin ' Back '' `` Sweet Freedom '' `` I Heard It Through the Grapevine '' `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' `` Reach Out, I 'll Be There '' `` Baby I Need Your Lovin ' '' `` Stop, Look, Listen ( To Your Heart ) '' `` Deck the Halls / Jingle Bells '' `` Walk On By '' `` ( Your Love Keeps Lifting Me ) Higher and Higher '' `` Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ! '' Related articles Discography The Doobie Brothers Toto Amy Holland Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ain%27t_No_Mountain_High_Enough&oldid=854506130 '' Categories : 1967 singles 1970 singles Marvin Gaye songs Tammi Terrell songs Diana Ross songs Michael McDonald ( singer ) songs Songs written by Valerie Simpson Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs number - one singles Billboard Dance Club Songs number - one singles Vocal duets Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Song recordings produced by Harvey Fuqua 1966 songs Tamla Records singles Song recordings produced by Johnny Bristol Song recordings produced by Ashford & Simpson Songs written by Nickolas Ashford Garage house songs Motown singles Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from June 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Use mdy dates from August 2016 Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2010 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Euskara Français Italiano Bahasa Melayu 日本 語 Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 11 August 2018, at 21 : 15 ( UTC ). 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Question: who sang ain't no mountain high enough first
Answer: Marvin Gaye