Mable John (born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on 3 November 1930; died 25 August … Read Full Bio ↴Mable John (born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on 3 November 1930; died 25 August 2022) was an American blues vocalist and the first female signed by Berry Gordy to Motown's Tamla label. She received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994.

At a very young age, John moved with her parents to Arkansas, where her father got a job in a paper mill. There four brothers (including Rhythm & Blues singer Little Willie John) and two sisters were born. In 1941, after her father was able to secure a better job, the family moved to Detroit, where two additional brothers were born. The family lived in a new housing development at Six Mile and Dequindre Road. She attended Cleveland Intermediate School, and then Pershing High School, which is at Seven Mile and Ryan Road. After graduating from Pershing High School, she took a job as an insurance representative at Friendship Mutual Insurance Agency, a company run by Berry Gordy's mother, Bertha. Later, she left the company and spent two years at Lewis Business College. She subsequently ran into Mrs. Gordy again, who told Mable that her son Berry was writing songs and was looking for people to record them. Gordy began coaching her and would accompany John on piano at local engagements. This continued until 1959, when John performed at the Flame Show bar on John R Street at the last show that Billie Holiday did in Detroit, just weeks before Holiday's death.

The same year, John began recording for Gordy. First she was signed to United Artists, but nothing was released there. Eventually, she became one of the first artists signed to Tamla, Gordy's own label. In 1960, she released her first Tamla single, "Who Wouldn't Love a Man Like That?," a blues number, to no success. John followed with "No Love" in June of that year and then with "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" by year's end. While Motown was beginning to have success with acts like The Miracles and The Marvelettes (and later The Supremes, who had sang background vocals for John) that appealed to teenagers and young adults, it failed to make an impact in the established blues market. As a result, Gordy soon thinned out his roster of early blues artists. While John continued to be used as a background singer, Gordy dissolved her contract in 1962.

After leaving Motown, John spent several years as a Raelette, backing many Ray Charles hits. In 1966 she attempted a solo career again, signing with Stax Records. Her first single with the label was "Your Good Thing Is About To End." The song peaked at #6 on the R&B chart, and even managed to cross over onto pop radio, peaking at #95 there. She released six more singles for the label, none of which captured her first single's success. After leaving Stax Records in 1968, John rejoined The Raelettes for several years. She left secular music in 1973, and began managing Christian gospel acts, occasionally returning to the studio as a singer.

John received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994. She appeared in John Sayles' 2007 movie Honeydripper and in the 2014 Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.

Discography

Albums

Stay Out of the Kitchen (1966, Stax)
[edit]Singles
"Who Wouldn't Love a Man Like That?" (1960, Tamla)
"(I Guess There's) No Love" (1960)
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" (1961)
"Your Good Thing Is About to End" (1966, Stax) R&B: #6 US: #95
"You're Taking Up Another Man's Place" (1966)
"Same Time, Same Place" (1967)
"I'm a Big Girl Now" (1967)
"Don't Hit Me No More" (1967)
"Able Mable" (1968)
"Running Out" (1968)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Mable John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me that you love me
Put no one above me
Go on, tell your lies
But I know inside
Actions speaks louder than words

You speak so sweetly
You want me completely

It′s hurting me so
But I know

Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder than words

My kisses don't thrill you like they used to
I know, I know it′s true
That you don't wanna hurt me, don't wanna hurt me

And I know, I know you found someone new
Ohh-oh, tell me what you want to
But I know, I know our romance is through
It′s all over, it′s all over

Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder, ohh-whoa
Actions speaks louder than words, ohh-ooh-ohh

Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder
Actions speaks louder, ohh-whoa

Actions speaks louder than words, ohh-ooh-ohh
Actions speaks louder

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mable John's song "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" are about a woman confronting her partner about his insincere words and actions. She wants him to express his love for her but also condemns his dishonesty. The singer knows that actions speak louder than words and it's not enough to only say the words. The partner speaks sweetly but his actions don't match the words. The singer realizes that their romance is over and she is hurt by his words and his actions.

The song speaks to the idea that words alone are not enough to prove someone's love. It's not enough to simply say "I love you" without backing it up with actions that show you care. In relationships, it's important to pay attention to the other person's actions, rather than just their words. The lyrics of the song have a universal message that is relatable to anyone who has felt hurt or let down by someone's empty promises.

Line by Line Meaning

Tell me that you love me
Express your love for me verbally

Put no one above me
Declare that I am your top priority

Go on, tell your lies
Continue with your deceitful words

But I know inside
I am aware of the truth

Actions speaks louder than words
Demonstrate your love through your actions

You speak so sweetly
You talk to me with affection

You want me completely
You desire me entirely

It′s hurting me so
Your actions are causing me pain

But I know
I am aware of your true intentions

My kisses don't thrill you like they used to
My actions do not excite you anymore

I know, I know it′s true
I acknowledge the reality of the situation