You’re All I Need To Get By | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
| A | B/A | Dm6/A | A |
You’re all I need to get by.
Verse 1
||: A | B/A | Dm6/A | A :||
(You’re all I need to get by) Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you, and it was plain to see, you were my destiny.
(You’re all I need to get by) With arms open wide, I threw away my pride, I’ll sacrifice for you, dedicate my life to you.
Bridge 1
| A A/C# | A/E A |
I will go where you lead always there in time of need.
| B7 B7/D# | Bm7b5/F Bm7b5/D |
And when I lose my will, you’ll be there to push me up the hill.
Chorus 1
| A/E | Bm7 |
There’s no, no looking back for us.
| A/E | Bm7 Dm6 |
We got love, sure enough, that’s enough.
| A/E | Bm7b5/F |
You’re all, you’re all I need, to get by.
Tag
| A | B/A | Dm6/A | A |
(You’re all I need to get by) Oh-oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, Tammi, listen.
Verse 2
(You’re all I need to get by) Like an eagle protects his nest, for you, I’ll do my best.
Stand by you like a tree, and dare anybody to try and move me.
(You’re all I need to get by) Darling in you, I found, strength where I was torn down.
Don’t know what’s in store, but together we can open any door.
Bridge 2
Just to do what’s good for you, and inspire you a little higher.
I know you can make a man, out of a soul that didn’t have a goal.
Middle 8
| A/E | Bm7 |
‘Cause we, we got the right foundation,
| A/E | B7 Dm6 |
and with love and determination.
| A/E | Bm7 |
You’re all, you’re all I want to strive for and do a little more.
| A/E | Bm7 |
You’re all, all the joys, under the sun wrapped up into one.
| A/E | Bm7b5/F | A/E | Bm7b5/F |
You’re all, you’re all I need. You’re all I need.
| B7 | E7sus4 |
You’re all I need (oh), to get by.
Outro
||: A | B/A | Dm6/A | A :||
(You’re all I need to get by) Oh, babe. Oh, babe. Honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, yeah!
(You’re all I need to get by) I need you darling (oh-oh). Oh, I need you (you’re all). All your love (all I need). Oh, oh, oh!
(You’re all I need to get by) I love you darling (oh, baby), all I need (you’re all I need). I need your love (you’re all I want).
(You’re all I need to get by) Oh (oh) all you love now (yeah). Hey, Tammi (oh, yeah) you’re all I need.
You’re All I Need to Get By Chords: Exploring the Rich Harmonic Layers
Verse
You’re in for a treat with the chords to You’re All I Need to Get By! Let’s break down each section, starting with the intro, verse, and outro:
| A | B/A | Dm6/A | A |
With the bass staying on A, the movement to B and Dm6 creates rich harmonic tension. You could name these A6/add9/#11 and Asus4#5add9, but that might be a bit over the top…
Before we move on, what key are we in? Two major chords a tone apart suggest IV – V, placing us in E major—or potentially A Lydian, since we never play an E. However, the Dm6 complicates things. If we were in A major, it would be IVm6, which is unusual. Alternatively, we could view it as bVII6/5, though that’s even stranger.
If this were the whole song, I’d lean towards A major, with B/A as IIx/b7 and Dm6 as IVm. But we might also be seeing a modal interchange from Lydian to Ionian.
One thing is certain: these opening chords are not diatonic—let’s move on.
Bridge
The bridge simplifies things slightly, shifting between A and B in true gospel fashion:
| A A/C# | A/E A |
| B7 B7/D# | Bm7b5/F Bm7b5/D |
Again, this isn’t strictly diatonic. If we call E major the key, that strengthens the A Lydian argument. But the Bm7b5/D complicates things again.
That last bar might look daunting, but since the bass moves while the chord shape stays the same, it’s easier to play than it looks. So, while You’re All I Need to Get By‘s chords may be theoretically complex, they’re fairly easy under the fingers.
Chorus 1
| A/E | Bm7 |
| A/E | Bm7 Dm6 |
| A/E | Bm7b5/F |
The Bm7 is new, as we’ve only seen B7 and Bm7b5 before. Here, A Ionian starts to feel like home, though the last bar challenges that idea.
Chorus 2
| A/E | Bm7 | A/E | B7 Dm6 |
| A/E | Bm7 | A/E | Bm7 |
| A/E | Bm7b5/F | A/E | Bm7b5/F |
| B7 | E7sus4 |
Once again, the magic lies in the slash chords, with Bm7b5/F standing out the most. If you’re playing guitar in a band, a top tip is to ignore the bass note and focus on the chord shapes.
Since we never play a straightforward E major (only E7sus4), we can’t confidently say the song is in E major—but we might call it A Lydian with a few borrowed chords.
Here’s a chord chart—share it with your bandmates, and you’ll all be playing You’re All I Need to Get By correctly… understanding the theory behind it—or not!
You’re All I Need To Get By Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Download my chart as a PDF or in the iReal Pro format—essential if this is a first dance and the singer asks last minute to lower it a tone or so. A real lifesaver!
The Story Behind Marvin & Tammi’s Biggest Hit
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell had three major hits together: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, and the song we’re focusing on here—You’re All I Need to Get By.
Released in 1968, a year after Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and two years before Tammi’s tragic passing, it became their biggest hit, reaching #1 in both the U.K. and U.S.
In 1969, as Tammi was too weak to perform, Marvin sang the song with Carla Thomas while Tammi watched from the front row in a wheelchair. Seeing her sing along, Marvin stepped into the audience and finished the song by her side—her final performance. A few months later, at her funeral, he sang it once more in tribute.
Written by Ashford & Simpson—who also provided backing vocals and penned the duo’s other hits—You’re All I Need to Get By features some remarkable chord progressions worth studying.
You’re All I Need To Get By Chords | Related Pages
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- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
- I Say A Little Prayer
- Leave The Door Open
- The Look Of Love