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.
In And Out Of My Life
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't deserve it: I've been too good to you
You just can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
There's too many things I've done for you
I wish you'd make up your mind. What cha gonna do?
Are you gonna leave me, or return the love I give to you?
Take your time: think about it, you got one more chance
I love you boy, but I'm a woman, I'm not a toy. You just can't
Keep runnin in and out of my life
I don't deserve it, I've been to good to you.
You just can't keep runnin in and out of my
It hurts too much, it's got to stop now.
All the time that you're gone,
My whole world, my world is wrong
When you come back again
It's the livin in that you're hurting me, you're destoying me.
(Runnin in and out, ooo hoo) in and out of my life
(Runnin in and out, ooo hoo) no no no no
I love you more than words can ever say
But I need you, all of each and every day
So if you love me, let me be, but....
You just can't keep runnin in and out of my life
I don't deserve it, I've been too good to you
You just can't keep runnin in and out of my life
There's too many things I've done for you
You just can't keep runnin in', and runnin' out, ohhh
It hurts too much, it's got to stop now
You just can't keep runnin in and out of my life [Until fade]
The lyrics in Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' song "In and Out of My Life" convey a message of frustration and disappointment towards a partner who keeps leaving and returning to the singer's life. The repeated line "you just can't keep running in and out of my life" expresses the singer's desire for stability in her relationship, and her reluctance to continue to endure the pain caused by her partner's continuous absence.
The lyric "I love you boy, but I'm a woman, I'm not a toy" highlights the singer's assertion of her independence and her desire to be treated with respect and importance, rather than being treated like a plaything. The line also serves as a warning to her partner that she will not continue to put up with his behavior.
Overall, the lyrics in "In and Out of My Life" convey a sense of the singer's strength and assertiveness, as well as her vulnerability and longing for stability and love.
Line by Line Meaning
You just can't keep runnin' in and out of my life
I am tired of you coming in and out of my life repeatedly
I don't deserve it: I've been too good to you
I have been treating you well and do not deserve to be treated this way
There's too many things I've done for you
I have put in a lot of effort and done many things for you
I wish you'd make up your mind. What cha gonna do?
I wish you would decide what you want to do with our relationship
Are you gonna leave me, or return the love I give to you?
Are you going to leave me or reciprocate my love for you?
Take your time: think about it, you got one more chance
Please take your time and think about it, but know that this is your last chance
'Cause if you decide to leave me, you can't come back again.
If you choose to leave, you cannot come back into my life
I love you boy, but I'm a woman, I'm not a toy. You just can't
I love you, but I am not someone you can play with
It hurts too much, it's got to stop now.
Your actions are causing me pain and need to stop now
All the time that you're gone, My whole world, my world is wrong
When you're not here, my world feels incomplete and wrong
When you come back again It's the livin in that you're hurting me, you're destoying me.
Your inconsistency in staying in my life is hurting me and destroying me
I love you more than words can ever say But I need you, all of each and every day
I love you deeply, but I need you to be present every day
You just can't keep runnin in', and runnin' out, ohhh
You cannot keep coming in and out of my life like this
You just can't keep runnin in and out of my life [Until fade]
Please stop running in and out of my life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LAWRENCE BROWN, GEORGE GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dwayne S. Jones
I have always loved this song since a child and it still sounds great to this day. Thinking of you mom always Love you.
altanett
We had some good sounds back in the 60’s. So glad I came up in that era. The songs had substance. Thank you Motown! ❤️
Bridgett Garvin
Wow, my mom use to play this ALL THE TIME. I can't believe i found it. This is FOR YOU MOM.
RIS❤❤❤❤❤
Daryl Taylor
Martha Reeves one of my all-time favorite singers
Valerie Johnson
I've looked for this song for years just found it in 2019. My mom's neighbor would play this and cry.
ARCENIA Crout
I LOVE this song!
Christine Taylor
Beautiful track we should not forget. Get it played!. Gem. HX
Wayne Brasler
Among her best records ever and Motown did almost nothing to promote it. This was to have been followed by the hypnotic "No One There" and that even didn't BECOME a single. Then she did another fabulous record, "I Won't Be the Fool I Was Before" and THAT didn't get released. When it finally came out on an album it was in mono, and it was the stereo version that was the killer. Motown had no shame with some of its greatest artists.
Humboldt Bear
'No One There' was a single in the UK.
robert
I love diana, but berry gordy was blinded by love. martha never got the respect she deserved at Motown. or the stardom.