Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Moto… Read Full Bio ↴Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.
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.
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.
Is There A Place
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
There he is at my door
I just can't let him in
Because I know that's when
Heartaches will start again
He keeps on knockin' at my door
There he is
He just came back to hurt me some more
I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
Cause I know he don't really care
Maybe this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he'll stay
But I hate to take that chance
There he is
Of opening that door
Because if I see him again
I know my foolish heart will let him win
Baby, this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
So I'm gonna push my pride aside
Put on a great big smile
So he won't know
I've been crying all the while
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
I just can't let him in
Because I know that's when
Heartaches will start again
He keeps on knockin' at my door
There he is
He just came back to hurt me some more
I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
Cause I know he don't really care
Maybe this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he'll stay
But I hate to take that chance
There he is
Of opening that door
Because if I see him again
I know my foolish heart will let him win
Baby, this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
So I'm gonna push my pride aside
Put on a great big smile
So he won't know
I've been crying all the while
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, FREDDIE GORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Tarantulisimo
Martha Reeves - Lead vocals
Rosalind Ashford & Betty Kelly - background vocals
The Funk Brothers - All instruments
Benny Benjamin: drums
James Jamerson: bass guitar
Earl Van Dyke: Wurlitzer electric piano
Jack Ashford: percussion, tambourine, vibes
Ivy Jo Hunter: Detroit snow chains
Robert White: guitar
Eddie Willis: guitar
Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Jr. - songwriters
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland - producers
kdiamonds
No matter where I am or what I'm doing, whenever this song comes on I get emotional and goosebumps, unfailingly. Can't explain. Great song
KittyKat2006
Climate change is not helping. I know this song is about love, but the refrain has gotten to be right haunting.
kdiamonds
@KittyKat2006 never thought about it like that, you're right though, to be fair you can also say the say about Judgement Day etc., But it's a love song, just listen to it for what it is I think that's best
bridget
Yeo. I just get up and dance!
Alan Cunningham
Me too
Lee Sher
The best Motown tunes ever. Great lyrics, great orchestration, great musicians, and of course great vocalists.
ginny white
the Funks could make Micky Mouse sound good
Geoffrey Jonathan Wilson
Oh yes!
trademark1874
Jack Ashford on the tambourine right here!!!
Andrew Betsargis
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus Christ loves you all!โคโ