The Reeves family was a musical family. There was always music and singing in their home, consequently, Martha wanted to become a singer.
Reeves first performace was in church singing the hymn, "Jesus met The Woman At The Well". She won a box of chocolate covered cherries.
As a teen she sang with several local girl groups. She was also trained in opera.
She met Motown executive Mickey Stevenson during one of her solo gigs. He invited her to audition for Motown records. Although she went to Motown as a singer, she became their first A&R secretary. She was "The Secretary that could sing her A--off".
When singer Mary Wells missed a recording session, Martha Reeves filled in and was given a recording contract.
Along with the Vandellas, Martha Reeves vibrant lead vocal can be heard on hits like: "Heat Wave", "Quicksand", "Jimmy Mack", "Nowhere to Run" and "Dancing In the Street".
Martha Reeves became the first Motown artist to get a release from her contract in 1972. She became a solo artist and recorded tracks for MCA, Arista, Fantasy and later her own label, Itch records. "Power of Love", Wild Night" and Love Blind" are her most popular solo efforts. Her solo album "Martha Reeves", released in 1974 is still a cult favorite among many fans.
Although her solo career failed to take off properly, Martha Reeves manged to remain an important entertainer gaining continous spots on national television and performing in concerts all over the world.
Today she is still performs solo or with a line-up of Vandellas that consists of her Sisters, Lois and Delphine Reeves.
S.T.
I'm Ready For Love
Martha Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the first time I feel alone in life.
As I watched the moon kiss the starlit sky
I feel the need for your lips to press close to mine.
For so long I been afraid to love,
but right now I feel the need for love
and you, you have the love the love I need
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
sweet sweet love right now I'm ready for love.
I've tried to shield my heart from love's tender touch
'cause to lose in love would hurt so much;
but as I softly walk in my solitude
I searched my heart and found there's a need for you.
And for the first time I feel alone,
'cause I need a love to call my own;
and only you, you have the love the love I need
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
I'm truly ready for love you know I'm ready for love
your wonderful sweet sweet love
I'm ready right now I'm ready right now.
Something wonderful has come over me
and filled this heart of mine with ecstasy
I'm glad I finally opened up my eyes
and pushed the fear of love, the fear of love aside;
and for the first time I feel alive
I have the touch of love deep down inside.
And just as soon as I see your smiling face
I'll rush into your warm embrace.
Right now I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
you wonderful sweet, sweet love
right now I'm ready for love
you know I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
right now I'm ready for love
you know I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
The lyrics of "I'm Ready for Love" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas convey the longing for a deep romantic relationship. The song's narrator sings about the fear of loving someone and losing them, but also about the realization that true love is worth taking a risk. The opening lines reveal how the singer feels alone and isolated, possibly after experiencing disappointment in previous relationships. The moon and starry sky set the mood for a contemplative moment of self-reflection.
The singer understands that she has been trying to protect her heart from being hurt by love, but now she acknowledges the need for love in her life. She describes the inner turmoil of wanting to be loved, yet feeling scared to open up to someone. Finally, she experiences a newfound confidence in love and is ready to embrace it. The comforting presence of a partner is what she wants, and she acknowledges that only this person's love can bring her comfort.
Overall, the song's message is about overcoming fear and taking a risk for love. It speaks to the universal longing for companionship and the emotional strength that comes with having someone to love and support you fully.
Line by Line Meaning
As I stand alone on this moonful night
I am by myself on this night with a full moon
for the first time I feel alone in life.
This is the first time that I have ever felt so lonely
As I watched the moon kiss the starlit sky
While observing the moon meeting the starry sky
I feel the need for your lips to press close to mine.
I crave and desire your lips close to mine
For so long I been afraid to love,
I have been scared to love for a very long time
but right now I feel the need for love
At this moment, I have the desire for love
and you, you have the love the love I need
You are the only one that can provide the love that I crave
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
The love that you give will comfort me, and I am now ready to receive it
truly ready for love your wonderful
I am genuinely prepared for affection, your love is excellent
sweet sweet love right now I'm ready for love.
The sweet, sweet love that you offer is what I want at this moment, and I am prepared for it
I've tried to shield my heart from love's tender touch
I have attempted to guard my heart from the fragile aspects of love
'cause to lose in love would hurt so much;
Because to experience a loss from love would be incredibly painful
but as I softly walk in my solitude
While I gently walk in my aloneness
I searched my heart and found there's a need for you.
I examined my heart and discovered that the requirement for your love is present within it.
And for the first time I feel alone,
This is the first time that I feel so lonely
'cause I need a love to call my own;
Because I require a love that belongs to me only
and only you, you have the love the love I need
You are the only individual who possesses the love I need
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
Your love will comfort me, and I am ready to receive it
I'm truly ready for love you know I'm ready for love
I am genuinely prepared for love, and you should be aware of it
your wonderful sweet sweet love I'm ready right now I'm ready right now.
Your amazing and delightful affection is what I want, and I am ready to have it at this exact moment
Something wonderful has come over me
Something excellent has taken over me
and filled this heart of mine with ecstasy
And has brought me to a state of euphoria.
I'm glad I finally opened up my eyes
I am grateful that I finally realized
and pushed the fear of love, the fear of love aside;
And set aside the fear of love
and for the first time I feel alive
And for the first time, I feel alive
I have the touch of love deep down inside.
Deep inside, I have the feeling of affection and care.
And just as soon as I see your smiling face
As soon as I see your happy face
I'll rush into your warm embrace.
I will immediately rush into your warm and tender hug
Right now I'm ready for love,
I am ready for love right now
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
Your amazing, pleasant affection
you know I'm ready for love,
You should acknowledge that I am prepared for love
I'm truly ready for love,
I am wholeheartedly prepared for love
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
Your amazing, pleasant affection
right now I'm ready for love
I am prepared for love at this exact moment
you know I'm ready for love,
You should be aware that I am prepared for love
I'm truly ready for love,
I am genuinely prepared for love
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
Your amazing, pleasant affection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boofusdeldooofus
A masterpiece. Just the right recipe.....jazzy, rough and elegant. that opening drum riff is classic
@jeffstewart7045
It was used on 'You Can't Hurry Love' too...
@jeffreyemerson2565
Martha has stayed true to her roots, and currently serves on Detroit's city council. She is a very down-to-earth, approachable person, and very proud of her work in the music industry as well.
@stumiller3492
Martha served one term on the Detroit City Council, but that was 7 or 8 years ago...
@MrPistolMason
Simply a powerful track . . . powerful vocal by Martha . . . the ladies . . . great orchestera / arrangement . . . this is simply an all around excellent track.
@lukaskliukas3382
Great, great song, can't get enough of it, I repeat it over and over again
@badboyz22907
my favorite song by martha and the vandellas ever. can't play oldies without playing this song love this song so much
@hugebrown36
What a voice this girl!! Magic!!!
@hollidayevery
Motown used this type of bassline on a few songs like this one, "All I Need" by the Temptations, and "You Can't Hurry Love" by that other girl group, who shall remain nameless here.
@mowestjohn
For me, the best thing they ever recorded!