Needle In A Haystack
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics


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Well well, I once believed all fellas were nice
But girls, listen to me, take my advice
Girls, you'd better get yourselves onto my track
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)

Girls, those fellas are sly, slick & shy
So don't you ever let 'em get you starry-eyed
Well, you may think their love is true
But they'll walk right over you
Now girls, you should know these things right off the back
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)

Now girls, I say I'm tellin' you the natural facts
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)

I'm tellin' you, girls, you'd better look before you leap
Still water sometimes runs very deep
You'll be sorry when you just jump
& do justice passed by love
Girls, you should know these things right off the back
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)




I say you'd better take heed (needle in a haystack)
Listen to me (needle in a haystack)

You'd better play hard to get
Or you're gonna regret
The day you were born, girl
When he leaves you alone, girl
Good guys are like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
Girls, they're like findin' a (needle in a haystack)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Needle in a Haystack" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas convey a cautionary message to girls about the challenges of finding a good man. The song advises girls to be wary of charming and deceitful men who may appear genuine but will ultimately take advantage of them. The analogy of finding a needle in a haystack is used to convey the difficulty and rarity of finding a truly good man amidst a sea of insincere suitors.


The lyrics suggest that girls should not be easily swayed by sweet words or romantic gestures, as these men are cunning and will walk over them without remorse. The song emphasizes the importance of being discerning and cautious in relationships, encouraging girls to look before they leap and not be blinded by superficial love. The line "Still water sometimes runs very deep" suggests that not all things are as they seem, and one should not be deceived by appearances.


Line by Line Meaning

Well well, I once believed all fellas were nice
In the past, I used to think that all men were kind and good-natured


But girls, listen to me, take my advice
Ladies, pay attention to what I'm saying and follow my guidance


Girls, you'd better get yourselves onto my track
Women, it's important for you to follow my path or guidance


'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
Because discovering a respectable man, ladies, is comparable to discovering a


(Needle in a haystack)
a needle in a haystack


Girls, those fellas are sly, slick & shy
Ladies, those guys are cunning, deceptive, and reserved


So don't you ever let 'em get you starry-eyed
So never allow them to deceive you or make you fall in love blindly


Well, you may think their love is true
Well, you might believe that their love is genuine


But they'll walk right over you
But they will easily take advantage of you


Now girls, you should know these things right off the back
Now ladies, you should be aware of these facts from the very beginning


'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
Because discovering a respectable man, ladies, is comparable to discovering a


(Needle in a haystack)
a needle in a haystack


Now girls, I say I'm tellin' you the natural facts
Now ladies, I'm informing you about the undeniable truths


'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
Because discovering a respectable man, ladies, is comparable to discovering a


(Needle in a haystack)
a needle in a haystack


I'm tellin' you, girls, you'd better look before you leap
I'm advising you, ladies, to be cautious and think before acting impulsively


Still water sometimes runs very deep
Quiet or calm individuals often possess hidden depth


You'll be sorry when you just jump
You will regret your hasty decisions


& do justice passed by love
And disregard the importance of fairness in relationships


Girls, you should know these things right off the back
Ladies, you should be aware of these facts from the very beginning


'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
Because discovering a respectable man, ladies, is comparable to discovering a


(Needle in a haystack)
a needle in a haystack


I say you'd better take heed (needle in a haystack)
I'm emphasizing that you should pay close attention and be cautious


Listen to me (needle in a haystack)
Give careful attention to my advice


You'd better play hard to get
You should act uninterested or make yourself a challenge


Or you're gonna regret
Otherwise, you will experience remorse


The day you were born, girl
The moment you came into this world, my dear


When he leaves you alone, girl
When he abandons and leaves you, my dear


Good guys are like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
Respectable men are as rare as finding a needle in a haystack


Girls, they're like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
Ladies, they are also as hard to find as finding a needle in a haystack




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GORDON MILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@tineshiacooper45

The one on the left was my 8th grade music teacher... wonderful

@mhawkyard1799

I wish she’d been my teach. Wow!😂

@tootsie4u67

Bertha McNeal of the Velvelettes was my music teacher in Middle school in Kalamazoo Michigan, and I always had high reguards and repect for her. Shes a wonderful singer and performer !!

@ranu1496

Still sounding good after all these years!! That song is at least 53 years old. They still look good too!

@deliabarkley-delieu1411

Definitely one of my Desert Island discs! All time favourite. Cannot sit still while listening to this...Perfect Motown. Cannot be bettered.

@adamdudley2590

One of the first tracks that really kick started my love of Soul music and from that to Northern Soul, enough said!
KEEP THE FAITH!!

@RonWylie-gk5lc

If your legs stay still during this your dead lol, wonderful old Northern Soul classic, happy days

@samjtwinn

I was a collector of this group in the mid 60's and still have their 45's. It's nice to see others appreciated them also, good job Ian.

@matthewcuellar7879

I just don't get it. How can a handful of people get this good at something? It blows my mind. It's one thing to be a good painter or a good writer, but to work as a team and just nail it... wow! I love it!

@deborahgraves9097

This brings back the dancing memories in the 70`s for me .... Superb times !!

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