The Onion Song
# The Onion Song

"The Onion Song" was a hit for soul singers Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1969. It reached the top ten overseas, where it became Gaye & Terrell's biggest hit in the United Kingdom, entering the singles chart on 15 November 1969 and peaking at No.9 on 9 December.

"The Onion Song" was a more modest hit in the U.S. where it peaked at No. 18 on the soul singles chart and No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100

## Background

The song's lyrics reflected social consciousness. Tammi Terrell died, aged 24, just prior to the song's release as a single in the U.S., and it became her and Gaye's last official single together.

Record World called the song "a groovy, bouncy tune." Cash Box said it has a "brotherhood message with the rhythmic familiarity of past Marvin-Tammi hits."

## Chart performance

| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 50 |
| US Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles | 18 |

## Credits

* All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/Valerie Simpson
* All instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
