Ashford & Simpson later stated how the session was hard as Terrell was recovering from surgery on the malignant brain tumor that ultimately caused her death less than two years after they recorded the song.

[citation needed] During moments in the recording, Gaye can be heard encouraging Terrell to sing her verses, ad-libbing "come on Tammi" several times.

A year later, Gaye was performing this song with Stax vocalist Carla Thomas at the Apollo Theater, when Terrell, who was seated in the front row in her wheelchair, began singing along, prompting Gaye to leave the stage and sing the song with Terrell, who was offered a microphone.

"[2] Cash Box called it a "tremendous ballad with a hearty beat," saying that the "scintillating opening excites listener response with an impending explosion that develops slowly unfolding solid performance.

[14] Billboard wrote, "The version here brings fresh spirit to the Ashford & Simpson number within a nicely crafted Jack Gold production.