The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were known for a churchier, more southern-styled soul than the Supremes, as typified in Motown hits such as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave", "Jimmy Mack", "I'm Ready For Love", "My Baby Loves Me", "Nowhere to Run", and, their signature song, "Dancing in the Street".
The group had its origins in Detroit, Michigan in 1957, and had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis. It originally was a quartet comprising childhood friends Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, and original lead singer Gloria Williams. Williams left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name to The Vells signing a deal with Motown's Mel-o-dy label, and singing background for established Motown performers such as Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye before signing a new deal with Motown's Gordy label on September 21, 1962, after which the group changed its name to Martha and the Vandellas.
In 1964, the Vandellas' lineup changed with Betty Kelley replacing Sterling. In 1967, Kelley was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. The lineup of the Reeves sisters and Tilley continued after Martha's return from an institution after suffering a nervous breakdown. The group disbanded following a farewell concert, held at Detroit's Cobo Hall on December 21, 1972., however, Reeves still performs with sister Lois and another Reeves sister, Delphine.
A Love Like Yours )
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I made you blue
Instead of hurting back
You said "I love you"
That very day you won my heart
And my love for you shall never part
You have such an understanding way
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
Although I treated you bad from the start
Without question you gave me your heart
No, a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
It's the little things you do
Oh, that mean so much
So very, very much
(Consideration), I never knew
That is, until I met you
Believe me
You made my life complete
And I know our love with all of my mind
You can believe gonna hold on tight
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
No, a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
It's the little things you do
That mean so much
So very very much
(Consideration), No I never knew
That is, until I met you
Believe me
You made my life complete
And I know our love with all of my mind
You can believe gonna hold on tight
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
I said a love like yours, it don't come knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
I said a love like yours, it don't come, it don't come knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
'Cause a love like yours, it don't come knocking
I broke your heart
And I made you blue
Instead of hurting back
You said "I love you"
That very day you won my heart
And my love for you shall never part
You have such an understanding way
And I appreciate you need what I say
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
Although I treated you bad from the start
Without question you gave me your heart
No, a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
It's the little things you do
Oh, that mean so much
So very, very much
(Consideration), I never knew
That is, until I met you
Believe me
You made my life complete
And I know our love with all of my mind
You can believe gonna hold on tight
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
No, a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
It's the little things you do
That mean so much
So very very much
(Consideration), No I never knew
That is, until I met you
Believe me
You made my life complete
And I know our love with all of my mind
You can believe gonna hold on tight
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
I said a love like yours, it don't come knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
I said a love like yours, it don't come, it don't come knocking
Knock, knocking everyday
'Cause a love like yours, it don't come knocking
In the song "A Love Like Yours," Martha Reeves & The Vandellas sing about a relationship where the singer has hurt their partner in the past but instead of retaliating, their partner responds with love and forgiveness. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes how rare and precious this kind of love is and how the singer needs to hold onto it tightly. The lyrics express gratitude for the partner's understanding nature and how they have made the singer's life complete. The verses reflect on the singer's past behavior and the partner's willingness to give their heart despite this. The phrase "knock, knock, knock, knocking" represents the rarity of this kind of love and how it doesn't come knocking on your door every day.
The song portrays a timeless theme of love and forgiveness that is relatable to many people. It also highlights the importance of appreciation, understanding, and gratitude in a relationship. The use of repetition in the chorus and the rhythmic beat make the song catchy and easy to sing along to. The soulful vocals of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas add a powerful emotive element to the lyrics, making it a classic love song.
Line by Line Meaning
I broke your heart
I hurt you emotionally, causing you pain
And I made you blue
My actions caused you to feel sad and down
Instead of hurting back
Rather than retaliating and causing me pain in return
You said "I love you"
You showed me compassion and forgiveness by expressing your love
That very day you won my heart
Your forgiveness and love touched my heart and in that moment, I fell in love with you
And my love for you shall never part
My love for you is everlasting and will never fade away
You have such an understanding way
You possess a compassionate and empathetic demeanor
And I appreciate you need what I say
I am grateful that you listen and understand what I am trying to convey
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Your love is rare and valuable, not something that comes around easily
Knock, knocking everyday
It's not something that happens every day
Although I treated you bad from the start
I didn't treat you well from the beginning of our relationship
Without question you gave me your heart
You gave me your love wholeheartedly and without any hesitation
It's the little things you do
The small gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness
Oh, that mean so much
Those little things have a significant impact
So very, very much
The impact is profound and meaningful
(Consideration), I never knew
I was unaware of the importance of being considerate until I met you
That is, until I met you
You taught me the value of consideration through your actions
Believe me
Trust that what I'm saying is true
You made my life complete
Your love and presence make my life whole and fulfilling
And I know our love with all of my mind
I am certain and confident in the strength of our love
You can believe gonna hold on tight
I am committed to holding onto our love and not letting it go
'Cause a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Your love is rare and valuable, not something that comes around easily
No, a love like yours don't come knock, knock, knock, knocking
Reiterating the rarity and value of your love
That mean so much
The small gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness have a significant impact
(Consideration), No I never knew
I was unaware of the importance of being considerate until I met you
I said a love like yours, it don't come knocking
Once again emphasizing the rarity and value of your love
Knock, knocking everyday
It's not something that happens every day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louishubbard5267
motown...,what can i say, one of best doo wop songs of all time, with the temptations, nice touch.
@ginadyson4214
never heard this song before by this group, this song came out in 60 years ago!!
@colincarroll7954
It was a b side though you probably heard Tina Turner version. Brian Holland and the late Lamont Dozier did the music arrangements while Eddie Holland did the vocal parts.
@marieblakeney6986
Love those Days
@chrishinnant3924
Whenever you buy a 45 always play the b-side you might be missing out on some good music. This is a great example. I ordered This Record off discogs for the b-side.
@melodysanger103
HAPPY 79TH BIRTHDAY
LAMONT DOZIER
(JUNE 16, 2020)
@georgephinn822
I can’t believe this song “A Love Like Yours Don’t Come Knocking Everday By Martha Reeves and The Vandellas - wasn’t released as a “A” side. - Playing second fiddle to “Heatwave” was an injustice - such a “Beautiful” Song - It is my favorite song by - Martha Reeves and The Vandellas
@ronaldsmith1985
I love this song but I cried when John f kennedy got killed when this song came out but still my favorite
@louisemcgee5946
👣👣🎶🎶🎶👣👣
Blue Lights in the basement " HOUSE PARTIES "!!
@georgephinn822
“A Love Like Yours Don’t Come Knocking Everyday” By Martha Reeves and The Vandellas - IS MY FAVORITE SONG - By The Vandellas - It should have been the “A” side and “Heatwave”. The “B” Side - it shouldn’t have played second fiddle to “Heatwave” Because it’s a Beautiful Song and it got lost in the shuffle - anyway - it is still the best song by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. I will always play it because it’s a true Love Song Thanks Martha Reeves and also Thanks To The Vandellas and also Thanks to Berry Gordy