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.
It's The Same Old Song
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you've gone and left my heart in pain.
All you left is our favorite song, the one we danced to all night long.
It used to bring sweet memories of a tender love that used to be,
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Fool am I to hear a old love song.
And wanna cry but the melody keeps haunting me
reminding me how in love we used to be.
Keep hearing the part that used to touch our heart saying together forever.
Breaking up never, it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Precious memories keep-a lingering on,
ev'rytime I hear our favorite song, now you're gone, left this emptiness,
I only reminisce.
The happiness we spent, we used to dance to the music
make romance to the music,
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Oh I can't bear to hear it,
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
The lyrics of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's song "It's The Same Old Song" depict the familiar pain of lost love and the bittersweet nostalgia that accompanies hearing a once-beloved song that now holds a different meaning. The singer compares the sweetness of a honey bee to the initial joy of the relationship, but laments that just like a bee's sting, their love has caused heartache. The only thing that remains of their relationship is the song they used to dance to, which used to bring back sweet memories of their tender love. However, since the person has left, the song now carries a different, more somber meaning.
The lyrics also reveal the singer's internal conflict - despite the pain caused by the lost love, they are still drawn to old love songs that remind them of happier times. They feel like a fool for wanting to cry, but the melody of the song continues to haunt them. The lyrics evoke the memories of their love, highlighting the part of the song that used to touch their heart by promising to be together forever and never breaking up. But now, with the person gone, the same old song takes on a different meaning, reminding them of the emptiness left behind.
Overall, "It's The Same Old Song" captures the universal experience of heartbreak and the power that music holds in triggering emotions and memories associated with lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet as a honey bee but like a honey bee stings
You seemed sweet at first, but your actions hurt me just like a bee sting.
you've gone and left my heart in pain
You have left me and now my heart is filled with sadness.
All you left is our favorite song, the one we danced to all night long
All that remains of our relationship is the song that we used to dance to and cherish.
It used to bring sweet memories of a tender love that used to be
This song once evoked pleasant memories of our affectionate love in the past.
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone
However, now when I hear the song, it carries a different significance because you are no longer with me.
Fool am I to hear a old love song
I feel foolish listening to a love song that reminds me of our past relationship.
And wanna cry but the melody keeps haunting me
Although I feel like crying, the melody of the song continues to haunt me.
reminding me how in love we used to be
It serves as a reminder of the deep love we once shared.
Keep hearing the part that used to touch our heart saying together forever
I keep hearing the part of the song that used to resonate with our hearts, emphasizing our eternal togetherness.
Breaking up never, it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone
The song used to symbolize unbreakable love, but now it holds a different meaning since you left.
Precious memories keep-a lingering on
Precious memories continue to persist in my mind.
ev'rytime I hear our favorite song, now you're gone, left this emptiness
Whenever I hear our favorite song, I am reminded that you have left, leaving behind a profound emptiness.
I only reminisce
I can only dwell upon the past and reminisce about what once was.
The happiness we spent, we used to dance to the music, make romance to the music
We used to find joy and create romantic moments while dancing and embracing the music.
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone
Yet now, when that same old song plays, it carries a changed significance since you departed from my life.
Oh I can't bear to hear it
I cannot bear to listen to it anymore.
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone
The song remains the same, but its meaning has transformed since you are no longer by my side.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind