Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the… Read Full Bio ↴Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were 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.

There He Is
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics

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There he is at my door
I just can't let him in
Because I know that's when
Heartaches will start again

He keeps on knockin' at my door
There he is
He just came back to hurt me some more

I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
Cause I know he don't really care

Maybe this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he'll stay

But I hate to take that chance
There he is
Of opening that door
Because if I see him again
I know my foolish heart will let him win

Baby, this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way

So I'm gonna push my pride aside
Put on a great big smile
So he won't know
I've been crying all the while

Baby, baby, baby, walk on in

Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in

Overall Meaning

The song "There He Is" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas talks about the dilemma of a woman who is faced with the return of an ex-lover who has previously caused her heartbreak. The lyrics highlight the emotional turmoil she is going through; while she wants to keep her ex-lover away, she also yearns for him to come back to her. The opening line "There he is at my door, I just can't let him in" portrays her struggle to keep her ex-lover from entering her life and causing her heartache once again. The repetition of the line "Maybe this time he'll say/He's gonna see things my way" shows her hope that he will understand her feelings and commit to a future with her.

However, the lines "And he won't ever stray or ever go away/Maybe he'll stay" highlight her fear of opening up herself to the possibility of being hurt again. She is trying to push aside her pride and smile, even though she has been crying the whole time. This portrays the emotional impact her ex-lover has had on her life. The song's concluding line "Baby, baby, baby, walk on in" indicates that while she is scared, she still wants him back in her life.

There He IsMartha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics

There He Is
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics