Martha Reeves & The Vandellas was one of the most successful groups in the … Read Full Bio ↴Martha Reeves & The Vandellas was one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.

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.

Motoring
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics

Hey everybody
Come on let′s go for a ride
Motor baby
Grab your baby and
Put him right by your side
Motor baby
Going down the Main Street
And then we're going over the hill
Motor baby
Now we′re gonna have a lot of fun

Turn your motor on and let it run
Motor baby
Now put those hands on the wheel
Like a real good driver should
Motor baby
Now lock all your doors make sure
That you check your hood
Motor baby
Be sure you're not moving too fast
We want this thing to last
Motor baby

Hey, now we're gonna motor all night long
And when it starts to rain turn your wipers on
Motor baby
Motor baby
Well, turn your motor on and rev it up fast
Now put it in gear and step on the gas
Then you′re motoring motor baby

Hey everybody
Come on let′s go for a ride
Motor baby
Grab your baby and
Put him right by your side
Motor baby

Now we're gonna motor all night long
And when it starts to rain turn your wipers on
Motor baby
Motor baby
Now we′re gonna have a lot of fun
Turn your motor on and let it run
Motor baby.

Writer(s): Phil Jones, William Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter

Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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