"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" is a single released by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, on the Tamla label in March 1968. This was written and produced by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who also sang backup on the record. Instrumentation was by the famed Motown Funk Brothers.

The song became a hit within weeks of release eventually peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.

Motown founder Berry Gordy initially wasn't impressed with the Ashford & Simpson songwriting duo after hearing their breakout hit, Ray Charles' "Let's Go Get Stoned."  He told them Motown was all about class acts like Diana Ross, the Temptations and Marvin Gaye.  The couple, however, wouldn't take no for an answer. They returned home, locked themselves in a room and didn't emerge until they were ready to wow Gordy with "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing."

Various Sources