How Sweet It Is

I needed the shelter of someone's arms, there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs, there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
Wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore
Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than I was to myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you

These words were written by Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Eddie Holland. The trio wrote, arranged and produced many songs that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s.

During their tenure at Motown from 1962 to 1967, Dozier and Brian Holland were the composers and producers for each song, and Eddie Holland wrote the lyrics and arranged the vocals. The song was recorded by the great Marvin Gaye and released in 1964.

It's been covered by other talents ever since, perhaps most associated with James Taylor, with Carly Simon singing harmony. That version hit the radio in 1975.

No doubt young Jim (or Jimmy) heard it at the time. A few years later, a young Jimmy made this photo of his then girlfriend, soon to be wife. How sweet it is.