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.
Do It to Me
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Sit alone by the phone, a phone that never rings
Hoping to hear you say you love me still
Knowing you never will
Love, love, love has made a fool of me
Got me doin' things, things that shouldn't be
Listening for the sound of your knock on my door
Knowing that sweet sound will be no more
Funny how precious memories linger on
So long after you've gone
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
Love, love, love makes me do these things
Speak your name softly each night, or holding your picture tight
When you took my heart, you took my soul
& it's far beyond control
Funny how precious memories linger on
So long after you've gone
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
Love, love, love makes me do these things
Love, love, love sadness it brings
In the song "Do It to Me" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, the lyrics revolve around the theme of love and the foolish actions it can drive someone to. The song begins with the singer expressing how love has made them do foolish things, such as waiting by the phone for a call that will never come, hoping to hear the words "I love you" from the person they desire, even though they know it will never happen. Love has made them do things that shouldn't be done, like constantly listening for the sound of the person knocking on their door, even though they know it won't happen anymore.
The chorus emphasizes the lingering effect of precious memories, even after the person they love has left. These memories only bring tears, but the singer keeps holding on, even though they question why they do. Love has made them speak the person's name each night and hold onto their picture tightly, as if they took not only their heart but also their soul, and now it's beyond their control. The final repetition of the chorus acknowledges that love brings both happiness and sadness.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone deeply in love, facing the consequences of unrequited affection. They find themselves engaged in desperate actions, unable to let go of the memories and emotions connected to the person they love, even though they understand the futility of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love, love makes me do foolish things
The intense feeling of love causes me to act in irrational and imprudent ways
Sit alone by the phone, a phone that never rings
I constantly wait by the phone, hoping to receive a call from you, even though deep down I know it will never come
Hoping to hear you say you love me still
I yearn for you to express your love for me once again
Knowing you never will
Despite my hopes, I am aware that you will never utter those words to me
Love, love, love has made a fool of me
The power of love has turned me into a laughingstock, causing me to behave in foolish ways
Got me doin' things, things that shouldn't be
Love has compelled me to engage in actions that are considered inappropriate or wrong
Listening for the sound of your knock on my door
I anxiously anticipate the sound of your knock on my door, hoping for your presence
Knowing that sweet sound will be no more
However, I am aware that the sound of your knock will never come again, leaving only the memories behind
Funny how precious memories linger on
It is ironic how cherished memories persist and continue to affect me
So long after you've gone
Despite the passage of time since you left, these memories still have a strong hold on me
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
These nostalgic memories only bring forth tears and evoke emotions of sadness
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
However, I still hold on to these memories, and I question myself as to why I continue to do so
Speak your name softly each night, or holding your picture tight
Every night, I whisper your name softly and tightly hold onto your picture
When you took my heart, you took my soul
When you captured my heart, you also took away my very essence and being
& it's far beyond control
The depth of my love for you is uncontrollable and beyond my own power
Love, love, love makes me do these things
The all-encompassing power of love leads me to perform these actions
Love, love, love sadness it brings
At the same time love brings joy, it also brings deep sadness and sorrow
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tarantulisimo
Martha Reeves - Lead vocals
Rosalind Ashford & Betty Kelly - background vocals
The Funk Brothers - All instruments
Benny Benjamin: drums
James Jamerson: bass guitar
Earl Van Dyke: Wurlitzer electric piano
Jack Ashford: percussion, tambourine, vibes
Ivy Jo Hunter: Detroit snow chains
Robert White: guitar
Eddie Willis: guitar
Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Jr. - songwriters
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland - producers
@markplane5994
I start Spring Cleaning tomorrow and my stereo is going to get abused with Martha, Aretha, Motown and Northern Soul.( if you are familiar with the Northern Soul Genre) Nothing under 50 years old and I am going to literally shake the house as I clean (unless I blow my speakers, which would be a really bad day) Don't know about my hips being loosened, but I could have very well dislocated them by the end of the day. lol.
If you are not from the UK, have a look at this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul
Here is a quick preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TEyxwXIRPs&list=PLfMaV_DTTyta-hFFXFtw0OyeNqRUfOx9x&index=3
@ralphsorrenti1602
At 65 I hear this music and I say to myself GOD I was luckly to be alive, when this music first came out. You wil NEVER EVER hear music like this again.
@salimaalazri9664
don't i wish i lived then cause i believe i was born into the wrong era when the musics actually meant something, unlike the garbage the produce these days :(
@motowngirl5891
Never
@beautyan5309
Truth
@frankmalinaro9700
~~ at 73 ..I hear ya...really blessed we are . The crap they call music today is unlistenable to me.
My motto is " Pick a decade and be true to it ".
@Snuffnguts
I'm lucky in this gen cause I can listen to it for free lmfao
@devious187
We're in 2024, and there still isn't much that touches this song's greatness... what a masterpiece
@taram4675
I was 4 years old and I knew these were the greatest years of my life.. Motown was and still is the Greatest ❤️
@authenticallykyle
This song is so recognizable, makes me think of so many movies I love. Congratulations on Martha's Hollywood star today ❤
@lettsifo
It has been almost fifty years since I served in the South Vietnam War. But this song a;ways moves me to tears when I think of buddies lost in that senseless war. It still sadden me to think that they were given a chance to grow up and become men. Three of them were still in their teens when they died.