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.
Come And Get These Memories
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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So many memories
Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore
So many memories
Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories (so many memories)
Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em)
It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart
Because of these memories
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him
So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
So come on and get these memories
(Come and get 'em since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
In "Come and Get These Memories," Martha Reeves & The Vandellas sing about the aftermath of a relationship and the memories that remain. The lyrics speak of a lover who has left but left behind so many memories (the titular "memories"). The singer is left with various items from their time together, including a friendship ring, love letters, a teddy bear, and Valentine's Day cards, all of which serve as painful reminders of their time together. The singer even references an old favorite record, which they cannot bear to listen to anymore. The memories are tearing them apart, and they cannot move on until they are gone.
The song's overall message focuses on the power of memories and the impact they can have on a relationship, even after it has ended. It highlights the idea that it is not easy to move on from a relationship without first removing the physical reminders of the past. The song has a strong emotional resonance with anyone who has gone through the aftermath of a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
The singer's lover has left and she is left with an abundance of memories.
Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
The singer cannot continue to wear her ex-lover's ring now that they have split.
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore
The singer cannot bear to read the love letters from her ex-lover.
Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
The artist is willing to give the gifts her ex-lover had given her back to him.
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart
The artist is willing to give the Valentine's Day cards her ex-lover had given her to his new partner.
Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
The singer cannot listen to her ex-lover's favorite music anymore.
Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em)
It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart
Because of these memories
The singer still has feelings of love for her ex-lover which are causing her pain.
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him
The artist has moved on and found new love, and is urging her ex-lover to come and get his things because she is no longer attached.
So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
The artist is urging her ex-lover to come and get his things since he is no longer in her life.
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
The artist is willing to give her ex-lover's things to his new partner.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samtrak1204
After leaving for LA in 1959 I returned to Detroit 4 years later in 1963. I was at a house party when I first heard "Come and get these memories" and I have been a Martha Reeves and The Vandellas fan ever since.
@CleoLoveCrafts
When music was music. No vulgar lyrics, curse words, or overt sexual overtures. I really miss this feeling when I heard my parents play their songs.
@trainsacomin2088
...he..ere's your ooold teddy bear, that you won for me, at the state fair......
@DwayneETowns
Yeah you're right, I shudder at the thought what kids hear now.
@cynthiapickett7403
RIP Lamont Dozier (1941-2022).
@lindaschaffer6818
Just like it was yesterday (1964) lol, I can remember sitting in the FOX Theatre, Downtown Detroit watching the MOTOWN REVIEW. I was the the tag along little sister lol I saw them all.. from the Miracles, The Temptations, Little Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes and the list goes on. The complete MOTOWN family of Stars. One of the most cherished memories of my childhood
@margaretferguson5168
Yeah I feel ya.. 😍
@memorymom1
Linda Schaffer. Cherished memories indeed. I have beautiful memories just having been a kid growing up listening to the music we love from that era. Surely having been there in person seeing all those “celebrities “ was special indeed!
@juehlwillis4699
Wow...many Memories I'm sure
@motownfan3
Wow; were you lucky....I've seen most except THE MARVELETTES ,and MARVIN GAYE.I was able to finally catch KIM WESTON in PHILLY two years ago at age 80...... she turn the place out we gave her a five minute standing ovation...
On my bucket list is visit the Motown and Fox theater :)