She was Born Martha Rose Reeves, July 18, 1941 in Eufala Alabama. Just mon… Read Full Bio ↴She was Born Martha Rose Reeves, July 18, 1941 in Eufala Alabama. Just months later, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan for a brighter future.

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 Want You Back
Martha Reeves Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I had you to myself
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch
One glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me
To take second look

Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart

Oh darlin' I was blind to let you go
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes I do now
I want you back
Ooh ooh baby
Yeah yeah, naw

Trying to live without your love
Is one long sleepless night
Let me show you girl
That I know wrong from right

Every street you walk on
I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl
I didn't even want around
Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart

Abuh buh buh buh
All I want!
Abuh buh buh buh

All I need!
Abuh buh buh buh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Want You Back" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is a classic example of a man trying to win back his lover after he has let her go. The song has an upbeat tempo with an infectious melody that makes it difficult not to want to move to the rhythm. The opening lines of the song depict a scenario where the man had the woman to himself but didn't value her at the time. He was blinded by the presence of other pretty faces around him, and he couldn't see what he had until he lost it. He thought he could always have her, but it turns out he was wrong. Someone else saw what he couldn't see and has taken her from him. The man regrets his decision and wishes he could have another chance to show her how much he loves her.

The chorus of the song echoes his plea for a second chance. He wants her to know that he was wrong to let her go and wants to make amends. He wants to send a message to her heart about how much she means to him. The second verse of the song further emphasizes his heartbreak as he tries to live without her. He can't seem to get over her, and every street she walks on echoes his pain. He followed her, even though he didn't want her around initially. However, now, he desires her more than ever before. The song ends with him chanting, "All I want, all I need" captioning his plea for her love.

Line by Line Meaning

When I had you to myself
When I had you all to myself

I didn't want you around
I didn't want you near me

Those pretty faces always made you
Those attractive people made you

Stand out in a crowd
Noticed more in a group of people

But someone picked you from the bunch
But someone chose you from the rest

One glance was all it took
Just one look and that was it

Now it's much too late for me
Now it's too late for me to act

To take second look
To reconsider my decision

Oh baby give me one more chance
Oh please give me another opportunity

To show you that I love you
To prove my affection to you

Won't you please send me back in your heart
Can't you let me back into your heart