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've Got To Use My Imagination
Martha Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on
Got to make the best of a bad situation
Ever since that day
I woke up and found
That you were gone
Darkness all around me
Blackin out the sun
Old friends call me
But I just don't feel like talkin to anyone
Emptiness has found me
And it just wont let me go
I go right on livin'
But why I just don't know
Staring down reality
Don't do me no good
'Cause our misunderstanding
Is too well understood
Such a sad, sad season
When a good love dies.
Not a day goes by
When I don't realize
I've really got to use my imagination
To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on
Got to make the best of a bad situation
Ever since that day
I woke up and found
That you were gone
In Martha Reeves's song "I've Got To Use My Imagination," she sings about the pain of a lost love and the struggle to move on. The chorus repeats the sentiment that she must use her imagination to find reasons to keep going. The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes, when facing a difficult situation or heartbreak, it takes creativity to find solutions or ways to push through the pain.
Reeves describes the darkness surrounding her, including a sense of emptiness and disconnection from the world. She is haunted by the memory of the love that she has lost and finds it difficult to connect with others. She describes the futility of staring down reality, knowing that the pain is all too real and that there is no easy fix for her situation. The lines "Such a sad, sad season / When a good love dies" are particularly poignant, expressing the sense of loss and grief that comes with a relationship ending.
Overall, "I've Got To Use My Imagination" is a powerful song about the struggle to navigate difficult emotions and hold on to hope in the face of heartbreak. Reeves's expressive voice and the lush instrumentation add to the emotional resonance of the lyrics, making it a memorable and moving track.
Line by Line Meaning
I've really got to use my imagination
I need to be creative in order to find hope and motivation.
To think of good reasons
To find positive aspects and reasons for continuing to persevere.
To keep on keepin' on
To keep going despite the difficulties and adversity.
Got to make the best of a bad situation
I must try to find the silver lining in the bad times and make the best of it.
Ever since that day
Since the moment I realized you were no longer here.
I woke up and found
I learned the hard truth that you were gone as soon as I woke up.
Darkness all around me
My world is bleak and there is little to find joy in.
Blackin out the sun
The negativity is so overwhelming that even the light of day does not bring comfort.
Old friends call me
Friends reach out to me but I struggle to interact with them.
But I just don't feel like talkin to anyone
I feel isolated and do not wish to communicate with others.
Emptiness has found me
I feel a deep sense of emptiness that is hard to shake.
And it just wont let me go
This feeling of emptiness is persistent and seems like it will never leave.
I go right on livin'
Despite the hardships, I continue to live my life the best that I can.
But why I just don't know
I am unsure of why I continue on with no clear end in sight.
Staring down reality
I am facing the harsh truth of my current situation.
Don't do me no good
It is not beneficial for me to constantly dwell on the negative aspects of my life.
'Cause our misunderstanding
The root of my sadness is due to a miscommunication or disagreement between you and me.
Is too well understood
The issue is too deeply ingrained and cannot easily be resolved.
Such a sad, sad season
This is a particularly difficult and upsetting time.
When a good love dies.
The end of a good relationship is a heart-wrenching experience.
Not a day goes by
Each and every day, I am reminded of my loss.
When I don't realize
I am constantly aware of and affected by your absence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Goldberg, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@singingbass63
. . . such a clear, powerful, soulful voice . . .
@michaelward9643
Ace!
@tobiaschristopher6863
One of my favourite tracks by the legendary Queen of Motown Soul... gives me chills everytime I hear it!
@TheRenard10
Out of the many albums my neighbor had, this was the good version. I want to reown this album.
@loveblind
This is the Blues and I love it!!
@housemaidandthefear507
Thanks for making sure this was here for sharing.
@erinmatt
This is my favorite version of this fantastic song. Something about the emotional urgency and raw power of her voice undercut by her slightly astringent sensibility make this a knockout.
@nelsonrasmussen6942
I've always loved this version.
@forthesoul859
Nelson Rasmussen thx :) for me a fav version too
@RUDYNATACHA
I like this but I think I have to give the edge to Gladys, though I like Martha's voice a little better.