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 the Midnight Hour
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's When My Love
Comes Tumblin′ Down
I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
When There's no one else around.
I′m gonna take You, Girl and hold You
And do all the things I told You
In The Midnight Hour.
I′m Gonna Wait 'til the stars come out
And see that twinkle in Your Eyes
I′m Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
That's When My Love begins to shine
You′re the only Girl I know
That Really Loves Me So
In The Midnight Hour
In The Midnight Hour.
I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
That′s When My Love
Comes Tumblin' Down
I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
That′s when My Love begins to shine
Just You And I...
Just You And I...
Nobody around, Baby, Just You And I.
The lyrics to Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's song "In the Midnight Hour" describe the singer’s plan to wait until midnight to be with their lover. They express their eagerness to take their lover in their arms and do all the things they promised. The singer is certain of their lover’s affection and in the midnight hour, they will be the only two people in the world. The lyrics evoke a sense of intimacy and passion as the singer expresses their love.
The repetition of the phrase "I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour" emphasizes the singer's devotion to their lover and creates a sense of anticipation for the listener. The choice of the midnight hour as the time for their rendezvous conveys a sense of secrecy and suggests that their love is forbidden. The final line, "nobody around, Baby, just you and I," reinforces the idea of a private, forbidden love.
Overall, the lyrics to "In the Midnight Hour" are a declaration of love that evokes a sense of passion, intimacy, and secrecy. The singer's desire to be with their lover suggests that their love is forbidden, and the midnight hour serves as a symbol of secrecy and of the intense passion between the two lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
I will hold off on expressing my love until the midnight hour
That's When My Love
Comes Tumblin′ Down
At midnight, my love will be freely expressed
When There's no one else around.
I will wait until there is complete privacy
I′m gonna take You, Girl and hold You
And do all the things I told You
In The Midnight Hour.
During this time, I will take you in my arms and do all the things I promised
I′m Gonna Wait 'til the stars come out
And see that twinkle in Your Eyes
I′m Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour
That's When My Love begins to shine
I will wait until the starry night when your eyes twinkle and my love can truly shine
You′re the only Girl I know
That Really Loves Me So
In The Midnight Hour
In The Midnight Hour.
You are the only one who truly loves me, and this love is confirmed in the midnight hour
Just You And I...
Just You And I...
Nobody around, Baby, Just You And I.
It will just be the two of us with complete privacy, only focused on each other
Writer(s): Steve Cropper, Wilson Pickett
Contributed by Natalie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.