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.
Jimmy Mack
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
Jimmy Mack Jimmy,
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
My arms are missing you,
My lips feel the same way too
I tried so hard to be true, like I promised to do
He's tryin' to wear my resistance down
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, Jimmy, oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Now he calls me on the phone about three times a day
Now my heart doesn't listen to, what he has to say
But this loneliness I have within
Reaching out to be his friend
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, Jimmy, oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
I just need your loving, need your loving, yeah, yeah
I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger
I can't hold out very much longer
Trying hard, to be true
But Jimmy, he talks just as sweet as you
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, can't you hear me, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
I just need your loving, need your loving
Hey, oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back
Hey, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Oh, I'm not getting any stronger, I can't hold out very much longer
The song "Jimmy Mack" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas tells the story of a woman waiting for her lover to return to her, while she fends off the advances of another man. The repeated refrain, "Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back?" is a plea for her lover to return to her. She confesses that she misses him "My arms are missing you, my lips feel the same way too." But she is also tempted by another man who is "trying to wear my resistance down." Despite her efforts to remain faithful, the loneliness she feels makes her vulnerable to Jimmy's rival. She hopes that Jimmy will return soon so that she can resist the other man's advances and be content with their love.
The song is a classic example of the Motown sound of the 1960s. Its catchy melody and upbeat tempo are characteristic of the genre, making it a danceable tune as well as a poignant love song. Martha Reeves' powerful vocals convey the longing and urgency of the song's message, making it a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy Mack Jimmy
The singer calls for Jimmy Mack's attention and affection.
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
The singer expresses her longing for Jimmy Mack's return and presence.
My arms are missing you,
The singer misses Jimmy Mack's embrace and comfort.
My lips feel the same way too
The singer misses Jimmy Mack's kisses and affection.
I tried so hard to be true, like I promised to do
The singer has been faithful to Jimmy Mack but faces temptation.
But this guy keeps comin' around
A new love interest tries to win the singer's heart.
He's tryin' to wear my resistance down
The new love interest is persistent and trying to break the singer's loyalty to Jimmy Mack.
Now he calls me on the phone about three times a day
The new love interest keeps contacting the singer, trying to win her over.
Now my heart doesn't listen to, what he has to say
The singer's heart is still loyal to Jimmy Mack and ignores the new love interest's words.
But this loneliness I have within
The singer is feeling lonely and vulnerable due to Jimmy Mack's absence.
Reaching out to be his friend
The singer is open to Jimmy Mack's return and seeks his companionship.
I just need your loving, need your loving, yeah, yeah
The singer expresses her desire for Jimmy Mack's love and affection.
I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger
The singer is struggling to resist the new love interest's advances and feels weaker over time.
I can't hold out very much longer
The singer fears she may succumb to temptation and betray Jimmy Mack soon.
Trying hard, to be true
The singer is putting in effort to remain faithful to Jimmy Mack despite the challenges.
But Jimmy, he talks just as sweet as you
The singer recalls Jimmy Mack's sweet talk and is reminded of his absence.
Jimmy, can't you hear me, Jimmy
The singer pleads to Jimmy Mack to notice her call for his return.
Oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
The singer stresses the urgency of Jimmy Mack's return.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maurice Belk
Originally cut in 1964,but was shelved ‘cause Motown felt it “sounded 2 much like a Supremes number.” Within 2 years this was pulled from the vault with Vietnam a hot topic & struck a cord with troops overseas!!!!!
Kevin Goins
@Angelique Collins That was a later version done specifically for the album, yes.
Angelique Collins
There was a different version, maybe from their "Watchout!" album (also featured their previous hit, I'm Ready For Love) which was okay but I love this one!
Maurice Belk
@Kevin Goins By the time “He’s So Fine” topped the Hot 100,Mack was batting cancer & just before he passed,his Laurie Records bosses came 2 the hospital 2 show him the gold record he won!!!!!
Kevin Goins
The single was cut in 1964 yes but was shelved by Motown's quality control chief Billie Jean Brown who was notorious for her biases. When Berry Gordy caught wind of the track three years later he was furious over Ms. Brown's move and thus ordered the song's immediate release.
BTW - the tune was inspired by Chiffons' songwriter Ronnie Mack who earned a BMI award for He's So Fine but had passed before receiving the honor. The team of H-D-H attended the ceremony in NYC when Mack's mother received the award o/b/o her departed son.
AnotherProf
Hmm....there's possibly a more thorough narrative of the various versions available elsewhere, but according to WIkipedia: 1) the 1967 hit was a reissue of the held-back 1964 track, yet 2) further down the page they note that the single-release version was a later track which included Betty Kelly as a group member, having replaced Annette Beard who performed on the first version. Go figure.:-)
wmbrown6
It wasn't just with Motown's matrix numbers where its 1964 recording origins were evident; RCA Custom's matrix numbers were also from that year (R4KM-9958 was the number assigned to this song, while late 1966 RCA Custom numbers from Chicago bore 4TKM- numbers, and the first of 1967 would be U4KM-).
Jerry Weaver
??? What are you talking about!???
AnotherProf
wmbrown6 Thanks...I've adjusted the video's description.
Les Kruger
I have absolutely no idea what any of that means. But I remember listening to the song many times.