This Week's "Oldie But Goodie": "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson).
The song was first recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released as a single in 1967. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard pop charts, and went to number three on the R&B charts. It was included on the album United in 1967.
In 1999, the Gaye/Terrell version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 1968 Diana Ross & the Supremes recorded a version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as a duet with The Temptations. It was released in 1968 on the album Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations.
In 1970, Diana Ross recorded a solo version of the song. The Andantes, Jimmy Beavers, Jo Armstead, Ashford & Simpson and Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin of the Undisputed Truth were used as backing singers on the recording.
Ross' version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" hit number one on both the pop and R&B singles charts. She Ross received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female.
All three versions of the song are posted below.