[Chorus: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Both]
How you gonna keep it after get it?
I want to know, sugar dumplin', yeah
Ooh, how you gonna keep it after you get it?
Oh, baby
Sweet thing, listen

[Verse 1: Marvin Gaye]
Now, I may play games sometimes
But when it comes to this heart of mine
I don't mess and fuss
If you ain't got the right stuff
So, I'm laying it on the line
And it's something you'd best be learnin'
Don't light the fire without the wood to keep it burnin'

[Chorus: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Both]
Oh, how you gonna keep it after you get it?
Oh, tell me sugar, tell me sugar (Tell me)
How you gonna keep it after you get it?
I want to know right now, ooh

[Verse 2: Tammi Terrell]
Listen, your sweet talking sure sound good
And your kissing satisfied
And when you hold me in your arms
I get weak, I won't deny
But I'm not in for a one-night thrill
You've got to have enough love to pull us on over the hill
[Chorus: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Both]
Ooh, oh how you gonna keep it?
I want to know
How, how you gonna keep it?

[Bridge: Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye, Both]
I want you to think (Hey), think about it, baby
Stop and study yourself
Don't let your mind ruin your heart
Is what you're laying on me fake
Or have you really got what it takes?

[Outro: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Both]
Oh, how, how you gonna keep it?
I want to know
How, how you gonna keep it?
If I let you be captain of my ship
How you gonna keep it?
I want to know, will you be able to hold your grip?
How you gonna keep it, yeah (Mm hmm)
And when hard times come, honey
Tell me 'bout it, baby
Would you pack up your bags and run?
No, no
How you gonna keep it?
Woo, woo, woo, ooh (Sweet thing, now)
How you gonna keep it?
I wanna know (Oh, yeah)
How you gonna keep it?
I wanna know (Oh)
How you gonna keep it?
And I wanna know (Ooh, ooh)
How you gonna keep it?