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.
Love Machine
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I won't work for nobody but you (yeah baby)
I'm just a love machine
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I think it's high time you knew
Whenever I think of you
My mind blows a fuse (baby)
My meter starts to rise, I become so confused
My voltage regulator cools
When I'm sitting next to you
Electricity starts to flow
And my indicator starts to glow, wooh
I-I I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you baby
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I-I I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I'm gentle as a lamb,
I'm not that hard to program,
There's no way that you can lose
My chassis fits like a glove
I've got a button for love
That she's got to use
If you look into my files
I am sure you can find out how
To turn me on just set my dial
And let me love you for a little while, wooh
I-I I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody (but you baby)
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you(baby)
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I'm just a love machine
I won't operate for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
"Love Machine" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is a playful and flirtatious song that uses the metaphor of a machine to describe the singer's intense and passionate love for someone. The lyrics portray the singer as a love machine, emphasizing their sole dedication and devotion to their love interest.
The opening lines, "I'm just a love machine / And I won't work for nobody but you," establish the central theme of the song. The singer is proclaiming that they are a machine solely designed to love and fulfill the desires of their chosen partner. It conveys a sense of exclusivity and loyalty, as they refuse to work for anyone other than the one they love.
The lyrics continue to describe the overwhelming effect this love has on the singer. They mention that their mind "blows a fuse" and their "meter starts to rise" when thinking of their love interest, indicating their intense passion and desire. The reference to electricity and the indicator starting to glow reflects the excitement and arousal that love brings to the singer's life.
In the following verses, the singer assures their partner that they are gentle and easy to navigate. They describe themselves as not being "that hard to program," indicating their willingness to adapt and meet their partner's needs. The line "My chassis fits like a glove" suggests a perfect and compatible match between the two.
The song also suggests a sense of playfulness and invitation. The singer mentions having a "button for love" that the partner needs to use, indicating their eagerness to share physical affection. The playful tone continues with the invitation to explore their "files" to find out how to turn them on, highlighting the metaphorical and metaphorical nature of their love.
Overall, "Love Machine" is a catchy and upbeat song that conveys the singer's dedication, passion, and willingness to do anything to please their chosen partner. It expresses the excitement and intensity of love in a lighthearted and playful way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a love machine
I am someone who can't help but love intensely
And I won't work for nobody but you (yeah baby)
I am dedicated solely to loving and being with you
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I have an insatiable desire for physical affection and intimacy
I think it's high time you knew
It's important for you to understand
Whenever I think of you
Every time you cross my mind
My mind blows a fuse (baby)
I am overwhelmed with strong emotions and thoughts about you
When I look in your eyes
When I gaze into your eyes
My meter starts to rise, I become so confused
I feel my excitement and desire increase, causing confusion
My voltage regulator cools
My control over my emotions settles
When I'm sitting next to you
When I am in close proximity to you
Electricity starts to flow
There is a strong emotional and physical connection between us
And my indicator starts to glow, wooh
I feel a sign of affection and attraction for you
I'm gentle as a lamb
I am tender and caring
I'm not that hard to program
It's not difficult to understand and please me
There's no way that you can lose
You cannot fail or go wrong in our relationship
My chassis fits like a glove
Our compatibility and connection are perfect
I've got a button for love
I possess a strong ability to love deeply
That she's got to use
That only you have the power to activate
If you look into my files
If you explore my inner thoughts and emotions
I am sure you can find out how
You will discover the way to stimulate my love
To turn me on just set my dial
To spark my desire, adjust and activate my passion
And let me love you for a little while, wooh
Allow me to express my love and affection to you briefly
I won't operate for nobody but you
I am only willing to function and love for you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES GRIFFIN, MICHAEL ZANE GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach
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@reginascruggs3326
Martha was a receptionist at Motown before she was given a chance to record...she ended up one of the early success stories for the label, with a dozen top 40 hits (even before The Supremes)!
@carlosvelasquez9007
Beautiful ❤️🌹😍 , lows and highs Martha's vocals are plain beautiful
@wasserdagger
""Heat Wave" is a 1963 song written by the Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team. It was first made popular by the Motown vocal group Martha and the Vandellas.[1] Released as a 45 rpm single on July 9, 1963, on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot R&B chart—where it stayed for four weeks—and peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100." [Wiki] *Released in the summer of '63, just months before JFK was assassinated, and things changed inexorably.
@1sts118
Always magic, Martha🎧 !
@MARTYC76
Great sound!
@mono_to_STEREO
Excellent Sammy! Another keeper for sure! Thanks! 👍👍
@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach
Thanks Chris!
@dntlss
Hell yeah!
@user-qd4uw1ti9r
かっこいい曲ですね。僕は大好きです。