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 )
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Sit alone by the phone, a phone that never rings
Hoping to hear you say you love me still
Knowing you never will
Love, love, love has made a fool of me
Got me doin' things, things that shouldn't be
Listening for the sound of your knock on my door
Knowing that sweet sound will be no more
Funny how precious memories linger on
So long after you've gone
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
Love, love, love makes me do these things
Speak your name softly each night, or holding your picture tight
When you took my heart, you took my soul
& it's far beyond control
Funny how precious memories linger on
So long after you've gone
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
Love, love, love makes me do these things
Love, love, love sadness it brings
The lyrics of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas’ song Love depict the depths of one's desperation and pitiful state when they've lost love. The singer is consumed by love and all the irrational emotions that come with it. Even though they know the person they're pining for will never return their love, they can't help but hope and wait by the phone. Love has made them into a fool that does things that they shouldn’t - like listening for a knock on their door that will never come. It’s an all-consuming feeling that controls them, as they speak the person's name softly each night and hold onto a picture of them tightly, unable to let go.
The song's lyrics not only capture the pain of unrequited love but also the nostalgia and precious memories that remain long after the person is gone. The memories are so precious that they only make the singer cry, yet they hold onto them tightly because they can't bear to let them go. The irony of this song is that despite the sadness and pain love brings, it's love that keeps the singer holding on and hoping for another chance. Love, in essence, makes the singer do foolish things that ultimately bring immense sadness and grief.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love, love makes me do foolish things
The overwhelming feeling of love makes me act in foolish ways
Sit alone by the phone, a phone that never rings
I wait by the phone hoping to hear from you, even though I know you won't call
Hoping to hear you say you love me still
I hope you'll say you love me, but I know you won't
Knowing you never will
I know you'll never say you love me again
Love, love, love has made a fool of me
Love has made me act like a fool
Got me doin' things, things that shouldn't be
Love has led me to do things that are not wise or good
Listening for the sound of your knock on my door
I listen for your knock on my door, but I know you won't come
Knowing that sweet sound will be no more
I know I won't hear the sound of you knocking on my door again
Funny how precious memories linger on
It's ironic how memories stay with us even after the person is gone
So long after you've gone
The memories remain even though you've left
Oh precious memories that only make me cry
The memories I have of us make me sad and tearful
But I keep holdin' on, oh why do I? Oh, because...
I hold onto these memories, even though they hurt, because I'm still in love with you
Speak your name softly each night, or holding your picture tight
I say your name gently every night or hold onto your picture tightly, even though you're not here
When you took my heart, you took my soul
When you broke my heart, you took a part of me
& it's far beyond control
My love for you is beyond my control
Love, love, love sadness it brings
As much as love brings happiness, it also brings sadness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabethreyes9991
When i hear this song reminds me of my Daddy, before he passed away with cancer he wanted too make sure we played this song for his service😥. He told me when it's my time he'll be at the gate with open arm's waiting for me😭. I Miss Him So Much, he was the best Daddy ever😍
@enorm4changes
❤️🙏🏾
@debrene1233
Beautiful memories of your Papa 🙏🏼
11-24-22
@bomberjohnson69
Beautiful song. Pray we get back the people we love
@adrianharies9849
I miss my Ole man he passed in 2001
@imbees2
Wow, Elizabeth. Powerful words for you father!
@polows
I'm 76 years old and this song just brings tears running down my face. This puts Martha Reeves in a whole other category.
@edwardsosa1588
I'm 73 and I'm with you miss 76. I wore out that 45... We have to love our old songs to survive this life. Ed.
@stonehand49
Yep❤
@user-pm4ef8yu7w
Imagine young girls, in love today…..that don’t have songs like this, on their playlist. 😘