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 Vandellasβ 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 shouldnβt - like listening for a knock on their door that will never come. Itβs 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.
Interesting facts about the song Love by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas are:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
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 Β© 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
donita vann
Funny how songs that remind you of really great times can also make you cry.π₯Ί
jojamful
Exactly! Some of my favorite songs make me cry!!
Gwendolyn Forest
Yes, So true
Peter Schwartz
Like this one.
Kathy Nickerson
Adore this song! Every word is so true! Just beautiful. Thank you Martha & The Vandellas for your wonderful music. β€ππππ
edward sosa
I adore it also. still have the 45. One of my favorites. Ed.in SA.
Eleanor Norman
I love this song, I was singing it, then decided to look it up on YouTube- Iβm so glad it was added here. Martha sings it so beautifully; She and the Vandellas are definitely one of Motownβs gems. I loved this group growing up, oh how it bring back memories!β€
Creole Lady
My favorite song of Martha and the Vandellas. This is music that speaks to the heart β€οΈ and say something to the soul. They don't make music like this anymore. 3/18/22. π₯°π₯°π₯°π₯°π₯°π₯°πππππππ―π―π―π―π―β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Lisa Foy
This is a true gem. One of their best. I think about all my family we used to visit with in DC. We all would sit around the record player and play the 45 to death. Makes me do these things.
Craig Steven Prentice
There is so much truth in this song , that many , choose to not show , as they do not want to be "vulnerable" .Β The honesty in this song is so very touching ... and Martha hits the emotion perfectly .