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 Promise To Wait My Love
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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With a love that's weak and a heart that sadly yearns
Yearns because you've left me all alone and blue
And to another I know I just can't be true
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
The love you're sharin' now is not as real as mine
Her love is like a diamond only worth a dime
But my love for you is strictly genuine
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
How I miss you; I long to hear you call my name
And since you've been gone, baby,
You don't think this ain't been the same, no
I promise to wait, my love, right here till you return
With arms that want you, baby, & flames that forever burn
I cry for your tender love & ever-lovin' kiss
And your tight embrace is what I really miss
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
Gonna stay right here, my love; ain't goin' away
Gonna wait for you, baby
In Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's "I Promise To Wait My Love," the singer is lamenting the departure of her lover while she hopes for their eventual return. The lyrics demonstrate that the love for the ex-partner is still strong, and the singer is unable to move on despite the lover's new relationship. The song's chorus, "I know that you'll come back home, but hurry up, don't take so long / 'Cause I love you, need you, even though you've done me wrong," perfectly embodies this sentiment. The singer expresses how badly she wants her lover to return, with flames that forever burn and with arms that still wish to hold her lover. She knows that her lover's new relationship is not as genuine as hers and while she waits, her heart sadly yearns.
The song's lyrics also convey a sense of longing and emotional instability. The emotional lyrics and melody blend together to make a tragic love song that captures the pain and melancholic mood of a person waiting for a former lover. Despite the sadness, there is an underlying persistence to the song's protagonist, who promises to wait until the lover finally returns. The song concludes with the singer declaring that she will stay right here and wait, unwilling to let go of the love that she feels so strongly.
Line by Line Meaning
I promise to wait, my love, right here till you return
I vow to wait for you, my beloved, at this very spot until you come back to me.
With a love that's weak and a heart that sadly yearns
My affection for you may be feeble, but my heart aches in your absence.
Yearns because you've left me all alone and blue
I yearn for you because you abandoned me and left me feeling desolate and melancholy.
And to another I know I just can't be true
I am aware that I cannot be loyal to anyone other than you.
I know that you'll come back home
I am confident that you will return to me.
But hurry up, don't take so long
Please do not delay; come back to me as soon as you can.
'Cause I love you, need you
I love you deeply and require your presence in my life.
Even though you've done me wrong
Despite the fact that you have hurt me in the past.
Until you finally find the love you're sharin' now is not as real as mine
I will wait for you until you realize that the love you are currently giving is not as sincere as the one I offer.
Her love is like a diamond only worth a dime
The love she provides is insignificant and of little value.
But my love for you is strictly genuine
My love for you is authentic and true.
How I miss you; I long to hear you call my name
I miss you terribly; I yearn to hear you say my name.
And since you've been gone, baby, you don't think this ain't been the same, no
Since you left, everything has changed, and I am not the same person anymore.
With arms that want you, baby, & flames that forever burn
My arms crave your embrace, and the passion between us will always be intense.
I cry for your tender love & ever-lovin' kiss
I shed tears for your affectionate love and never-ending kisses.
And your tight embrace is what I really miss
What I truly miss is your warm and tight embrace.
Gonna stay right here, my love; ain't goin' away
I will remain here, my love; I am not leaving.
Gonna wait for you, baby
I will patiently wait for you, my darling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN STORY, BILLIE JEAN BROWN, GEORGE GORDY, MARGARET JOHNSON-GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BIGBOTTOM32
James Jamerson groovin hard as usual!
@TheVinylRestorationProject
Love the 'immediacy' of this 'true stereo' master. A refreshing 'dry mix' where the sound is tight with just the right amount of reverb, not washed out when you have too much of it, which was so common back then. Listen to the expert detail noted in the vocals, particularly Reeves, when she 'amps it up', but also in the instrumentation, as well. Man, could Reeves 'lay down a vocal track'. And I love how there is just enough 'heft' down below to help 'prop up' the sound, bolster it, if you will, to help give it that full-bodied and well-rounded fullness and richness, while not overpowering the sound. But in addition, it also adds just the right amount of impact to the sound. Excellent recording production. Very sweet.
But also, ........Dude! Nice upload quality and digital translation and presentation for YouTube! Really comes across well. Thanks for posting.
@jackignatius
I call this bawling guitar. Total great production. And very unique, then and now.
@Knifymoloko
Love the production quality of the (G)olden days.
@TheVinylRestorationProject
The Funk Brothers