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.
For Once In My Life
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone I’ve needed so long
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Who have my dreams come true
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once I have someone I know won't desert me
I’m not alone anymore
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love I can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love we can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
These lyrics express a deep sense of joy and relief that the singer has finally found someone who loves and supports them unconditionally. The opening line, "For once in my life I have someone who needs me," emphasizes the singer's gratitude for having a person in their life who relies on them and finds comfort in their presence. This validates the singer's own longing for a meaningful connection.
The second line, "Someone I’ve needed so long," suggests that the singer has been longing for companionship and emotional support for a significant period of time. The subsequent line, "For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong," highlights the newfound sense of bravery and confidence provided by this relationship. This person empowers the singer to embrace life's uncertainties and challenges with strength and resilience.
The following lines describe how this loving individual fulfills the singer's deepest desires and dreams. The phrase "I can touch what my heart used to dream of" implies that the singer previously only envisioned love and warmth in their dreams, but now they can experience it in reality. The reference to someone "warm like you" emphasizes the unique and comforting nature of this person who has made the singer's dreams come true.
The lyrics then shift to addressing the impact of this relationship on the singer's emotional well-being. They declare that for once, they won't allow sorrow to hurt them as it has done in the past. This not only suggests that the new love they have found provides solace and healing, but also indicates the singer's determination to protect themselves from being hurt again.
The final stanza repeats the idea that the singer is no longer alone, expressing a sense of security in their newfound connection. The lines "This is mine you can't take it" and "As long as I know I have love we can make it" emphasize the singer's possessiveness over this love and their belief in its strength to weather any challenges. The overall theme of these lyrics is one of gratitude for finding someone who genuinely cares and supports the singer, ultimately bringing happiness and contentment into their life.
Line by Line Meaning
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Finally, after a long time, I have found someone who relies on me and requires my presence.
Someone I’ve needed so long
The person I have longed for and desired is now in my life.
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
Now fearless, I can embrace the unpredictable journey of life, and deep down, I believe I will possess the strength to overcome any challenges that come my way.
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
At last, I can experience the things that my heart had always fantasized about.
Long before I knew someone warm like you, who had my dreams come true
Even before I met someone as caring and affectionate as you, my aspirations have already been fulfilled.
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
This time, I refuse to allow sadness to inflict pain upon me.
Not like it's hurt me before
Unlike the previous occasions where sorrow has caused me harm.
For once I have someone I know won't desert me
For a change, I have someone in my life who I trust will never abandon me.
I’m not alone anymore
Now, I no longer experience the loneliness that once plagued me.
For once I can say, this is mine you can’t take it
At this moment, I can confidently declare that I possess something that is solely mine and cannot be taken away from me.
As long as I know I have love I can make it
As long as I am aware that love is present, I believe I can successfully endure any challenges.
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Once again, I reiterate that I have found a person who depends on me for support and companionship.
For once I can say, this is mine you can’t take it
Once again, I assert that I possess something that is securely mine and cannot be taken away.
As long as I know I have love we can make it
As long as both of us are aware of the presence of love, together we can successfully overcome any obstacles.
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Once more, I emphasize that I have discovered an individual who relies on me for emotional support and care.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Orlando Murden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@loveblind
WOW!
@shawnbaldwin1896
Yasssssssssssssssssssaa❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@motownbg
awesome
@ujimajame4601
Prefer the orchestration on "Martha & the Vandellas Live!" album (in which you can actually hear the Vandellas in the background), though Martha is singing her heart out! When, Motown/MCA are you going to release that album, as well as Gladys Knight & the Pips first live album "Standing Ovation" on a CD?