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.
I'll Have to Let Him Go
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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& I made up in my mind that very night
I've got to let him go, I've got to set him free
Even though I let him go, he's still a part of me
Oh now I know, yes I know there's someone he's thinkin' of
I'll have to let him go with all my love
I saw him (I saw him) but he didn't see me (but he didn't see me)
Oh it hurt me so inside, so much he'll never know
I'll simply hide my pride & I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Mmm I've got to let him go (let him go)
(Let him go) Move on, move on! my heart cries
(Let him go) Find yourself another; let him be
Oh (let him go) he's better off without me
(Let him go) This I know
My only wish is to make him happy, oh
I've got to say goodbye (got to say goodbye)
I've got to say so long (got to say so long)
Even though the years roll by, my love will carry on
Oh I must not tear his soul; surely he must know
That it's gonna hurt me so
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Yeah, it's gonna hurt me so
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
I've got to say so long (let him go)
It's gonna hurt me so (say goodbye)
But I've got to say goodbye
...& fade
"I'll Have to Let Him Go" is a classic heartbreak song from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. The lyrics describe a woman who witnesses her lover kissing and holding another woman. She realizes that if she truly loves him, she has to be selfless and let him go, even if it hurts her deeply. The first verse sets the scene by describing the moment when she sees him with someone else, and the decision she makes that night to let him go. The chorus reinforces her resolve to move on and set him free, while acknowledging that he will always be a part of her.
In the second verse, the singer describes the pain and sadness she feels as she watches him with another woman. She can't express her feelings to him, so she hides her pride and makes the difficult decision to let him go. The song highlights how strong love can be, and how it can make us do things that hurt us in the short term, but ultimately lead to growth and acceptance.
One interesting aspect of the song is the drum beat, which has become a signature of Motown music. The song was written by the legendary Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote many of the label's biggest hits. The song was originally titled "I'll Have to Let Her Go," but was changed to "I'll Have to Let Him Go" when Martha Reeves recorded it. The song was a top 40 hit in the United States and was also popular in the UK.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw him kiss another & watched him hold her tight
I witnessed him cheating on me and being physically intimate with someone else.
& I made up in my mind that very night
At that moment, I decided to end the relationship with him.
I've got to let him go, I've got to set him free
I need to break up with him and allow him to pursue others outside of our relationship.
Even though I let him go, he's still a part of me
Despite our break up, I will still carry emotional attachment towards him.
Oh now I know, yes I know there's someone he's thinkin' of
I've realized that he has feelings for someone else.
I'll have to let him go with all my love
I will need to end this relationship with compassion despite the pain he has caused me.
I saw him (I saw him) but he didn't see me (but he didn't see me)
I caught a glimpse of him with someone else, but he was unaware of my presence.
The tears just filled my eyes when he kissed her tonight
I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried when I saw him being intimate with someone else.
Oh it hurt me so inside, so much he'll never know
The pain I felt after seeing him betrayed our relationship was immense and something he will never grasp.
I'll simply hide my pride & I'll have to let him go (let him go)
I need to suppress my pride and ego and end this relationship for my well-being.
Move on, move on! my heart cries
My heart urges me to move on from him.
Find yourself another; let him be
I must find someone else for myself and allow him to pursue relationships freely.
Oh (let him go) he's better off without me
Despite my emotional pain, he will be better off without me holding him back.
My only wish is to make him happy, oh
My sole desire is for him to achieve happiness.
I've got to say goodbye (got to say goodbye)
I need to bid farewell to him and our relationship.
Even though the years roll by, my love will carry on
Despite time passing, my emotions towards him will not falter.
Oh I must not tear his soul; surely he must know
I must not hurt him emotionally and he should understand our break up was necessary.
It's gonna hurt me so
Our break up will be painful for me.
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Despite the pain, it is critical that I end this relationship.
I've got to say so long (let him go)
I must say goodbye to this relationship and let him live his life.
But I've got to say goodbye
Saying goodbye is necessary for my emotional well-being.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BeeHive8282
よく耳を澄ませると各楽器の音色が際立って美しい。60年代によくこんなテクニックがあったもんだと感心する。Very nice arrangement. I like the rhythm of the drums.
@RysioM-re3ed
Anything Mattha sang turned to gold. What a voice. Song give to the Vandellas when Mary Wells didn't show up:
"The group’s next break also came about by chance, after Mary Wells missed a session and Mickey called Martha instead. ‘I’ll Have To Let Him Go’ became the group’s first single, and in a way, ‘Come And Get These Memories’ was destined to be their second, even before we realised it."
@williamfleming5740
When I first saw them at the Graystone Ballroom I knew they was going to be big stars
@leonardgoodwin25
BEAUTIFUL GIRL GROUP!!! THNX FOR KINDLY SHARING NICE POST!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!
@lama100100
sooo great
@actereighty4776
Nice remix with the background choir.
@corywsmith
it does sound like an alternate take. i believe the back-up vocals are louder on this take than on others.
@r.jackson7162
That was a practice at Motown. They had a couple versions of a song out at the same time.
@carolinetchoumou-gangwet4713
merveilleuses et puissante,
@TheBilldozer49
Sounds like a perfect song for Mary Wells..........