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.
Shop Around
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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There's still some things that you don't understand now
Before you ask some guy for his hand now
Keep your freedom for as long as you can now
My mama told me
You better shop around
There's some things that I want you to know now
The men'll come and the men are gonna go now
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now
My mama told me
You better shop around
Try to get yourself a bargain, girl
Don't be sold on the very first one
Good-looking guys come a dime a dozen
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving
Before you take a man and say I do now
Make sure he's in love with you now
Make sure that his love is true now
I hate to see you feeling sad and blue now
My mama told me
You better shop around
In Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's song Shop Around, the lyrics carry an important message about the importance of shopping around for the right man before settling down. The song is addressed to a young woman who has just become an adult and is now exploring romantic relationships. The lyrics caution the young woman to be careful and to keep her freedom for as long as possible, advising her to shop around until she finds the right man who truly loves her. The chorus of the song repeats the line "My mama told me, you better shop around" emphasizing the importance of taking time to find the right partner.
The lyrics of Shop Around can be seen as a reflection of the changing times of the 1960s, a period when women were beginning to assert their independence and challenge traditional gender roles. The song encourages women to take control of their lives, to be decisive in their choices, and not to settle for less than they deserve. It also highlights the importance of self-worth and self-respect in relationships, urging the listener to be cautious before committing to a partner.
Overall, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's Shop Around serves as a timeless reminder of the value of self-love and self-respect, especially in romantic relationships. The song's message is still relevant today, and its lyrics continue to inspire many young men and women to strive for healthy, fulfilling relationships built on mutual love and respect.
Interesting facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Just because you've become a young woman now
Even if you think you've grown up, there are certain things in life that you might still be unaware of.
There's still some things that you don't understand now
Despite growing up, there's still a lot in life that might be new and unpredictable.
Before you ask some guy for his hand now
Don't be too hasty in tying yourself down to someone before understanding his true nature.
Keep your freedom for as long as you can now
Don't give up your independence too easily.
My mama told me
This is advice passed down through generations.
You better shop around
Be selective and take your time when it comes to finding a partner.
There's some things that I want you to know now
Here's some crucial words of wisdom for you to take to heart.
Just as sure as the wind's gonna blow now
These are universal truths that are as certain as the changing of the seasons.
The men'll come and the men are gonna go now
Don't expect every romantic partner to stick around for the long haul.
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now
Before declaring your love, make sure it's not premature or misplaced.
Try to get yourself a bargain, girl
Be savvy and selective when it comes to relationships.
Don't be sold on the very first one
Don't jump at the first opportunity that comes your way without carefully considering it.
Good-looking guys come a dime a dozen
Don't let superficial qualities blind you to someone's true character.
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving
Look for someone who will love you authentically and truly.
Before you take a man and say I do now
Be absolutely certain before committing to a lifelong partnership.
Make sure he's in love with you now
Ensure that your partner is fully committed to you, not just the idea of a relationship.
Make sure that his love is true now
Verify that your partner's love and affection are genuine and not just feigned for show.
I hate to see you feeling sad and blue now
The singer cares for the listener's well-being and doesn't want to see them hurt or unhappy.
My mama told me
This is advice passed down through generations.
You better shop around
Be selective and take your time when it comes to finding a partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Baddie Mauve
[Verse 1]
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Summer's here
And the time is right
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City
[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street
[Chorus]
Oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long
As you are there
So come on
Every guy
Grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing
They're dancing in the street
[Verse 2]
It's just an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing
Singing
Music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore and D.C. now
Can't forget the Motor City
[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street
[Chorus]
Oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long
As you are there
So, come on
Every guy
Grab a girl
Everywhere
Around the world
Dancing
They're dancing in the street
Way down in L.A
Every day
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue
Me and you
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
SilverBreeze22
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Summer’s here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
They’re dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music
(sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There’ll be music everywhere (music everywhere)
There’ll be swinging, swaying, and records playing
Dancing in the street
Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They’ll be dancing (dancing in the street)
They’re dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
It’s an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There’ll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, P.A. (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
Can’t forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music
(sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There’ll be music everywhere (music everywhere)
There’ll be swinging, swaying, and records playing
Dancing in the street
Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They’re dancing
They’re dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
Every day, they’re dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Let’s form a big, strong line (dancing in the street)
Get in time, we’re dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue (dancing in the street)
Me and you, we’re dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Yeah …
Hans G
It's hard to exaggerate how much influence the Motown sound has had on American pop music. Great stuff to listen to a thousand years from now.
Nick Wride
The Motown Sound will live for a long time.
cleaningtim
I could not agree more!
Ulla Olsson
Dude, you have good taste❤
Niki G
Hard to exaggerate and hard to describe. Motown is forever.
Ro Ro
They were literally singing for our civil rights. ❤️
Deb Crockett
I think they were singing about freedom in America & fun in the Summertime..NO POLITICS!
D Filice
There is someone to politically charge every subject.
LexLuger34
Lol, it's literally what they were singing about. The song was a euphemism for civil rights rallies happening at the time. 😅 Almost 60 years later and most people are still clueless. America treated black Americans like shit for a very long time, face it, it did happened. Want to fix it? Then fix it. It's not political, it's factual.
cressa pellom
@Deb Crockettuh no. It was about civil rights. A simple Google search will tell you that.