About The Song
“I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” is a powerful country ballad by Tanya Tucker, featuring Paul Davis and Paul Overstreet, released in October 1987 as the lead single from her Capitol Records album Love Me Like You Used To. Written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet, it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for one week in February 1988, Tucker’s ninth No. 1, and reached No. 10 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The 3:40 track explores the cost of love through three vignettes—a woman asking her lover, a beggar asking a wealthy man, and a soul asking God what they owe—answered with: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.” Tucker’s fiery vocals, harmonized with Davis and Overstreet, convey conviction and depth, as Billboard noted: “Tanya’s voice carries the song’s spiritual weight with grit and grace.” Tucker told CMT in 1988, “It’s about love’s true value—nothing less will do.” The song earned a 1988 CMA nomination for Vocal Event of the Year, reflecting its collaborative impact.
Recorded in 1987 at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, the track was produced by Jerry Crutchfield, with uncredited Nashville players likely including Brent Rowan on guitar, David Hungate on bass, and Paul Leim on drums, per Discogs. The arrangement—acoustic guitar, warm piano, and subtle strings—builds to a gospel-like climax, as AllMusic praises: “It’s a soulful anthem, blending country and spiritual vibes.” The album reached No. 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The C-G-Am chord progression and “how much do I owe you?” refrain, per Chordify, gave it radio and fan appeal. A 2019 live version from Live From The Troubadour, backed by Brandi Carlile’s band, and its inclusion in a 2023 Tanya Tucker tribute album kept it vibrant, per Spotify.
Tanya Tucker, born October 10, 1958, in Seminole, Texas, rose as a teen star with hits like “Delta Dawn” (1972) and sustained a career through her 1980s comeback, culminating in 2019 Grammy wins for While I’m Livin’ and a 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame induction, per Wikipedia. “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” was a live highlight, performed at the 1988 CMA Awards and her 1990 Ryman Auditorium shows, with a YouTube clip showcasing her commanding presence. No notable covers exist, per SecondHandSongs. Reddit fans on r/country in 2024 called it “a spiritual banger,” with an X post noting: “Tanya’s voice with Paul’s harmony is pure magic.”
The song appeared in no major films but thrives on streaming platforms, with Shazam users tagging its uplifting melody. Its religious undertones sparked mild debate among conservative country fans, but its universal message prevailed, as No Depression notes: “Tanya made love sound like a sacred demand.” The song remains a standout in Tucker’s catalog, a testament to her emotive power and the enduring value of love.
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Lyrics
“How much do I owe you?” said the husband to his wife,
“For standing beside me through the hard years of my life.
“Shall I bring you diamonds, shall I buy you furs?
“Say the word and it’s yours.
And his wife said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the riches of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“How much do I owe you?” to the mother said the son.
“For all that you have taught me in the days that I was young.
“Shall I bring expensive blankets to cast upon your bed?
“And a pillow for to rest your weary head.”
And the mother said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the comforts of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“How much do I owe you?” said the man to his Lord.
“For giving me this day and every day that’s gone before.
“Shall I build a temple, shall I make a sacrifice?
“Tell me Lord and I will pay the price.”
And the Lord said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“No, I won’t take less than your love.”
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