New York City's Groove Collective transcends musical categories with one go… Read Full Bio ↴New York City's Groove Collective transcends musical categories with one goal in mind: to move listeners' minds and feet. For more than a decade, this legendary group of musicians has improvised and refined the stylistic crosspollination of funk, jazz, house, Latin, hip hop, rock and every party-inducing sound in between. The pioneering members of Groove Collective are fluent in the international language of "groove." In-the-pocket drum and bass, colorful and vibrant horns, flavors of world percussion and intricate harmony all fuse together seamlessly under their watch. Groove Collective's innovative and refined sound is unparalleled. They are the masters of multi-hued funk. Billboard Magazine says that they "erase musical borders" and are "jazz/funk fusion at its most sublime."

When asked to describe the band, one member responded:

"Part social experiment, part musical experience; We've tried democracy, communism, capitalism, dorian, chromatic, mixolydian, starvation diets, sleep depravation, meditation, mediation, co-op, cooped up, disco-ambient-futura-trance-jungle-drum and bass-trip hop-hip-acid-transistor-funk-rock-psychedelic-silicon-hard bop-big beat-tube-electronic-live-dub-salsa-mambo combo with a twist... and you know, I think it might be the next big thing!"

Groove Collective's impressive history began in the early 1990's as they fueled the growth of New York City's acid-jazz scene. They quickly became a staple of a budding underground club scene known for pairing DJs with live performers. This groundbreaking enterprise was run under the media and event production mogul that would eventually become Giant Step. Groove Collective crafted and popularized the fusion of jazz and funk, pioneering what is now referred to globally as "groove" music. Jon Pareles of The New York Times says, "Groove Collective's identity lies not in one fixed style, but in its capable hospitality to whatever might keep hips swaying."

Through the years they have remained faithful to the "collective" spirit their name suggests, featuring a rotating cast of talented players. Their current six-piece incarnation features five original members. Groove Collective is: Jay Rodriquez (saxophones, flutes, bass clarinet), Genji Siraisi (drums, programming, vocals), Fabio Morgera, (trumpet, flugelhorn, effects), Chris "Ifátóyè" Theberge, (congas, bata drums, percussion), Barney McAll, (Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, piano), Jonathan Maron (bass)

13_MARTHA MY DEAR
Groove Collective Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Martha, my dear
Though I spend my days in conversation, please
Remember me
Martha, my love
Don't forget me
Martha, my dear

Hold your head up, you silly girl

Look what you've done
When you find yourself in the thick of it
Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you
Silly girl

Take a good look around you
Take a good look you're bound to see
That you and me were meant to be
With each other
Silly girl

Hold you're hand out, you silly girl
See what you've done
When you find yourself in the thick of it
Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you
Silly girl

Martha, my dear
You have always been my inspiration
Please, be good to me
Martha, my love

Don't forget me
Martha, my dear.

Overall Meaning

The song Martha My Dear by Groove Collective is a tribute to a woman named Martha, who has inspired the singer throughout their life. The song is filled with love and admiration for Martha, asking her not to forget the singer even though they spend their days in conversation. The song suggests that Martha has done something significant that has had a positive impact on the singer's life, as evidenced by the lyric "hold your head up, you silly girl, look what you've done." Even when life becomes overwhelming, the song encourages Martha to take a step back and see the beauty that surrounds her. Despite all this, the song acknowledges that Martha may be prone to making mistakes, calling her a "silly girl." Overall, the lyrics are a beautiful tribute to a woman who has had a profound impact on the life of the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Martha, my dear
Addressing his beloved Martha affectionately

Though I spend my days in conversation, please
Despite being busy, he urges Martha not to forget him

Remember me
Requesting Martha to keep him in her thoughts

Martha, my love
Addressing Martha with love and fondness

Don't forget me
Asking her to always remember him

Martha, my dear
Repeating how important Martha is to him

Hold your head up, you silly girl
Encouraging Martha to be confident and positive

Look what you've done
Reminding Martha of her accomplishments

When you find yourself in the thick of it
When you are in a difficult situation

Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you
Take some time to appreciate and enjoy everything around you

Silly girl
Affectionate term of endearment for Martha

Take a good look around you
Encouraging Martha to observe and appreciate the world

Take a good look you're bound to see
If you look carefully, you will see

That you and me were meant to be
Asking Martha to acknowledge that they are meant to be together

With each other
Emphasizing how perfect they are together

Hold you're hand out, you silly girl
Asking her to reach out and take his hand

See what you've done
Acknowledging her achievements again

Martha, my dear
Repeating how important she is to him

You have always been my inspiration
Telling her how much he admires and is inspired by her

Please, be good to me
Asking Martha to continue to love him and treat him well

Martha, my love
Reaffirming his love for Martha

Don't forget me
Repeating his request that she remember him

Martha, my dear
Concluding by repeating how much she means to him

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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