title: The Onion Song
text: # 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
  