Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Moto… 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.
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
I heard church bells ringing,
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.
Each word was a pain in my heart.
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.
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.
Each word was a pain in my heart.
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.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY JR GORDY, GWENDOLYN GORDY FUQUA, ROQUEL DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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mkl62
A #1 hit for Martha and The Vandellas on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It was the 158th #1 R&B song of the Rock Era. It also hit #10 on the Top 40 charts. One of the greatest vocal groups of all time. Sad that they don't make music like this anymore.
JakeMcClake2
The background vocals made this song a hit.
TheBong195
Motown sound is forever. I just love everything from it. It produced great singers of all times
Ron Ponder
How did we ever get away from great music like this?
Elosa Sanchez
The music today stinks . The music back then actually had lyrics that made sense . I don't like the music they play today and the 60's and 70's I love and probably always will.
lindsey lefrois
The background vocals on this song are absolutely angelic .... that's the only word I can think of to describe them.
Mahal Kita
lindsey lefrois alluv their songs background vocals r iiiillllllll,they sound like angel frummanuther dimenshun, & the song heat wave iz like a crack rock 2 mei can’t putt it down
wayne francis
Taken it to a harmoneous dimension when that chorus hits..I'm sure that is lowkey the reason I shazamed it lol
Mr Farky Hars
I think you nailed it 'angelic'...I've been hunting a way to explain it for years.
Basil Marasco
@wayne francis Yes, especially in the chorus do they sound like angels singing.