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.
What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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I see my tear-stained face when I look in my mirror
I stare in space as night grows nearer, cryin'
I need you, baby, I need you
I need you, baby, I need you
I just sit and wonder, did you fall for someone else?
'Cause if I hurt you, baby, I really hurt myself
I need you, yes I really need you
What am I gonna do without your love?
What am I gonna do without you, baby?
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
I need you, I really really need you
I just sit and mope by myself
Like part of my household fixtures
These arms of mine are holdin'
Clingin' to your picture, cryin'
I need you, yes I need you
I need you, baby, I need you
Come on, come on right now, baby
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I need you, yes I really need you
What am I gonna do without your love?
What can I do without you, baby?
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
I can't stand it, I just can't stand it
Here's a broken heart and
A love that's slowly dyin'
A room full of tears and a heart,
A heart that's cryin'
I need you, yes I really need you
I need you, you know that I need you
Come on, come on right now, baby
If you love me, come back, baby
Oooo yeah, baby, oh tell me right now
What am I gonna do without your love?
What can I do without you?
Come on, come on back to me, baby
The song "What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is a classic R&B ballad about heartbreak and longing. The lyrics depict the singer's agony and despair after a breakup, as she struggles to come to terms with her loss and move on with her life. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the singer admitting to crying all night long and feeling sad since the separation. The image of her tear-stained face staring back at her from the mirror reinforces her sense of desperation and isolation.
The chorus of the song is a plea for her lover to come back to her, as the singer realizes she cannot cope without their love. She wonders if they fell for someone else and expresses regret for any hurt she may have caused them. The verses once again emphasize her need for her lover, as she describes herself as going crazy and holding on to their picture. The final lines of the song are a direct appeal to her former partner to return to her, as she cannot bear the pain of being without them.
Overall, "What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the universal experience of heartbreak and loss. The lyrics are straightforward and heartfelt, and the vocal performance by Martha Reeves is soulful and powerful, making this a timeless classic in the history of R&B music.
Line by Line Meaning
Since you've been gone I've been cryin' all night long, I've been sad
Every night I cry so much that my tears stain my face, and I feel so empty that I stare into space
I need you, baby, I need you
Without you, I feel incomplete, and I can't live without your love and presence
I just sit and wonder, did you fall for someone else?
I can't help but think if you found someone else who replaced me when you left
'Cause if I hurt you, baby, I really hurt myself
If I caused you pain, it would also deeply hurt me because I love you so much
What am I gonna do without your love?
My life feels meaningless and empty without your love
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
My mind and heart are spiraling out of control without you here with me
These arms of mine are holdin',
Clingin' to your picture, cryin'
I hold onto a picture of you and cry endlessly while wishing you were here with me
Here's a broken heart and
A love that's slowly dyin'
My heart is shattered into a million pieces and my love for you is slowly fading away
If you love me, come back, baby
I desperately want you to come back to me because I know we belong together and I need your love to survive
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SYLVIA MOY, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ladymakini
thank you... for my most treasured piece by Martha and the girls, Golden memories flow thru me>!!
malc mitchell
LOVE IT..... GREAT POST...
JACK ANTHONY
Love this!! Harmonies are very jazzy.
moutserge
i discover ?