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.
Easily Persuaded
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Oha, baby
If you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
Of you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
Woah baby
Now, I remember telling you
I told you I'd forget you
And I could find another guy
I begged you please to set me free
But now I'm not so sure
'Cause all my friends are telling me
That I acted premature
So if you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
Ahhh baby
Now, I know that I can't foul myself
The truth I just can't hide
I'm all alone and by myself
Because of foulish my
I was like the gine old tree
Standing in the wind
My heart fell and broke in two
Because it wouldn't be
So if you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
If you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
Ahhh baby
Woah what I paid a price I think
For taking such a chance
What a big mistake I made
Walking out on our romance
I didn't take long for me to see
That I still love you so
I can't understand
For the life of me
What made me let ye go
So if you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
If you want to change my mind
I can be easily persuaded
Just say it away
I've gone blimey
I can be easily persuaded
The lyrics of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas' song "Easily Persuaded" explore the theme of change in the singer's perspective towards her past relationship. The singer initially believed that she was better off without her former lover after she begged him to set her free. However, her friends' opinions have made her doubt her decision, and now she admits that she was wrong. She acknowledges the pain that the break-up has caused her and regrets her decision. The lines, "What a big mistake I made, walking out on our romance," suggest that they both had a great relationship, and she is open to the idea of revisiting it. The chorus, "If you want to change my mind, I can be easily persuaded," shows her newfound willingness to reunite with her lover.
The song captures the universal feeling of regret and nostalgia, and the lyrics are a great representation of how human emotions and perspectives can change over time. The singer's evolution is manifested through her acceptance of her friends' opinions and her realization that she still loves her former lover. The song also resolves with an open-ended question, "Just say it away, I've gone blimey, I can be easily persuaded," that leaves the listener pondering on whether the singer and her lover will rekindle their romance.
Interesting facts about "Easily Persuaded":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmmhh
Exclamation indicating interest or agreement
Oha, baby
Intimate address to the person being spoken to
If you want to change my mind
If you are trying to convince me otherwise
I can be easily persuaded
I am willing to consider your point of view
Of you want to change my mind
If you are attempting to sway my decision
I can be easily persuaded
I am open to changing my mind
Woah baby
Exclamation indicating surprise or admiration
Now, I remember telling you
Previously, I informed you
That when you said goodbye
The moment when you left
I told you I'd forget you
I informed you of my plans to move on
And I could find another guy
I implied that finding another partner would be easy for me
I begged you please to set me free
I requested that you end our relationship
But now I'm not so sure
However, my current stance is not as certain
'Cause all my friends are telling me
My peers are suggesting to me
That I acted premature
That I acted hastily
Ahhh baby
Intimate address to the person being spoken to
Now, I know that I can't foul myself
Currently, I acknowledge that I am unable to deceive myself
The truth I just can't hide
I am unable to conceal my true feelings
I'm all alone and by myself
I am alone and without company
Because of foulish my
As a result of my foolishness
I was like the gine old tree
I was like a withered or diseased plant
Standing in the wind
Easily influenced or swayed
My heart fell and broke in two
My heart was deeply hurt and shattered
Because it wouldn't be
Unable to withstand the emotional turmoil
Woah what I paid a price I think
Exclamation acknowledging the expensive lesson learned
For taking such a chance
For taking a risk or a gamble
What a big mistake I made
An expression of regret for a significant error
Walking out on our romance
Leaving our relationship
I didn't take long for me to see
I quickly realized
That I still love you so
That my feelings towards you remain strong
I can't understand
I do not comprehend
For the life of me
No matter how hard I try
What made me let ye go
What caused me to release you from my grasp
Just say it away
Simply express your thoughts or feelings
I've gone blimey
Exclamation indicating confusion or bewilderment
I can be easily persuaded
I remain willing to consider alternative viewpoints
Writer(s): Clarence Paul, Morris Broadnax, Dick Cooper, Ernest Shelby
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.