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.
Needle In A Haystack
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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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)
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
@tineshiacooper45
The one on the left was my 8th grade music teacher... wonderful
@mhawkyard1799
I wish she’d been my teach. Wow!😂
@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!!
@ranu1496
Still sounding good after all these years!! That song is at least 53 years old. They still look good too!
@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 !!
@deliabarkley-delieu1411
Definitely one of my Desert Island discs! All time favourite. Cannot sit still while listening to this...Perfect Motown. Cannot be bettered.
@levonpoe
This is SMOKING! The ladies are gorgeous of voice and looks.
This is one of the great pleasures of YOUTUBE!.
I feel honored to see and hear this.
@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.
@laurenceharrison661
Brings back so many memories.Brilliant as it ever was