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.
Where Was I
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard a choir singing.
I saw my love walk down the aisle.
On her finger, he placed a ring, oh, oh.
I saw them holding hands
She was standing there with my man.
I heard them promise 'til death do us part.
Oh. All I could do, all I could do was cry.
All I could do was cry.
I was losing the man that I loved,
and all I could do was cry.
And now the wedding is over,
rice has been thrown over their heads.
For them, life has just begun but mine is at an end
Oh. All I could do, all I could do was cry.
All I could do was cry.
I was losing the man that I loved,
And all I could do was cry.
In "Where Was I," Martha Reeves & The Vandellas deliver a heartfelt tale of heartbreak and anguish. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman who witnesses her love getting married to someone else. The song opens with the somber sound of church bells ringing and a choir singing, setting the scene for a wedding ceremony. The singer then sees her love walking down the aisle, sealing their union with a wedding ring. As she looks on, she notices them holding hands, a painful sight for her.
The lyrics emphasize the singer's emotional turmoil as she hears the vows being exchanged, each word piercing her heart. Feeling helpless and devastated, she can do nothing but cry. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing her deep sense of loss and the overwhelming sadness that consumes her.
As the wedding concludes, and rice is thrown over the newlyweds, symbolizing their new beginning, the singer's world crumbles. While their life together is just starting, hers feels like it's coming to an end. The final repetition of the chorus highlights the singer's emotional state and the fact that she is losing the man she loves, despite her inability to change the situation.
Overall, "Where Was I" captures the raw emotions of heartbreak, betrayal, and longing that resonate with anyone who has experienced unrequited love or the pain of watching someone they love marry someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard church bells ringing
I became aware of the sounds of church bells chiming
I heard a choir singing
I listened to a choir harmonizing and singing
I saw my love walk down the aisle
I witnessed the person I love walking towards the altar
On her finger, he placed a ring, oh, oh
He put a ring on her finger as a symbol of their commitment
I saw them holding hands
I observed them clasping their hands together
She was standing there with my man
She stood beside my partner, who should have been with me
I heard them promise 'til death do us part
I listened to them vow to stay together until death separates them
Each word was a pain in my heart
Every word they spoke caused immense sorrow in my heart
Oh. All I could do, all I could do was cry
I could only cry, being overwhelmed with emotions
I was losing the man that I loved
I was experiencing the painful loss of the person I deeply cared for
And all I could do was cry
My only response was to express my sadness through tears
And now the wedding is over
The wedding ceremony has concluded
Rice has been thrown over their heads
People showered them with rice as a traditional wedding gesture
For them, life has just begun but mine is at an end
Their new journey as a married couple is beginning, but it feels like the end of my own happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY JR GORDY, GWENDOLYN GORDY FUQUA, ROQUEL DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@no7734
Music so moving can change your entire perspective of things, like this song.
The memory still burns into my mind to this day.
I went to a simple dance party alone with lots of students, the purpose of me attending this school party was to meet a guy there, I guess you can say my platonic "date", we weren't together, I only knew this man for a few months. I remember wearing just a simple white dress and had my hair in big curls that landed down to my shoulders and wearing only one coat of mascara. I was waiting by the DJ and he decided to play some oldies. People were dancing and everyone was having a good time.
This song played as my "date" entered the school gym, I never noticed how handsome he was until that night. He was wearing a black biker jacket and levis jeans, his jawline was sharp and his cheeks were deeper than how I would usually see them. He had his hair slicked back and his bright smile lit the room with a dash of confidence in his step.
My heart JUMPED the moment Martha Reeves powerfully sang that first verse, he was greeting other people with that gorgeous smile while he was walking in... Then I realized as he was glancing left and right with those beautiful hazel eyes, he was trying to look for me.
My casual behavior disappeared, I was a nervous wreck. He was walking closer to my direction and I quickly ran into the bathroom across the gym with my face burning and my hands sweating. Looking at my reflection my arms and face were completely red. After I freshened up, I couldn't even speak right. I stepped out of the restroom and I immediately found him walking around and I just stood there mesmerized by his presence and looking at him for I don't know how long. When he finally saw me, I couldn't stop trembling. He licked his lips and smiled as he was cutting through the crowd not leaving his eyes from mine.
However in the end, we didn't end up together, I lost touch with him. But every time I listen to this song I think of that unforgettable night. Music is supposed to move you at a time of crisis or bliss. That is when you know the music is raw and real when it touches the right spot in your soul.
@josemunozrojas1681
- Heatwave! 🎶
- Good night, ladies and gentlemen
- Heatwave! 🎶
- You don't give a shit
- Heatwave! 🎶
- Let's get the hell outta here
- HEATWAVE!!! 🎶🎶🎶
😅😅😅 Absolutely out of the blue... I ADORE THIS SONG!!! 👏🏻👏🏻💫💫💫💜
@ABritInThePhilippines
This is totally awesome...
@drivinsouth651
They are the hottest girls in rock and Motown and they are the heatwave! Absolutely, fabulous! Mucho Caliente! Thanks for posting!
@billytaylor8154
They be jumping.
@user-gj7tc6gt2p
Thanks for using the word "awesome". I feel it's not used enough these days...
@nativegemini81
Same here!
@anapittre9147
@@drivinsouth651
@sammiddleton6619
This is one of the songs that will still be talked about in 100 years time, absolutely timeless.
@purpledragon115
It isn't even talked about today
@ElronHumpperdink
NoMercy edgy response
@richardpetrey1400
Amen!!!! They don’t make them like this anymore!!!!!!!!!!