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.
Wild One
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Wild one, you're a rebel
And they say you're just no good
But they might change their mind
If they only understood
Wild one, I understand
I know you've never had a chance
You're a victim of circumstance
Can't you see
Just where you stand with me
I've given you my heart
I've given it to you
Don't you know where you go
I will follow you
So fight if you want to
And go where you want to
Be wild as can be
But save your love for me
Save your love for me
Wild one, just let them talk
Be what you want to be
Forget your love for me
And find security
Wild one, you know that in my heart
You're the only one
No matter what you've done
Can't you see
Just here you stand with me
I've given you my heart
I've given you my heart
Don't you know where you go
I will follow you
So fight if you want to
And go where you want to
Be wild as can be
But save your love for me
Save your love for me
The song "Wild One" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is a testament to the power of love and understanding. The song is addressed to a "wild one," who is seen as a rebel and a victim of circumstances. The song's narrator understands the wild one's situation and urges them to be true to themselves, but also to save their love for her.
The song challenges the societal norms that label people as "good" or "bad" based on their behavior. The singer acknowledges that the wild one is seen as "just no good" by others but believes that they would change their opinion if they only understood the wild one's circumstances. The singer asks the wild one to be true to themselves and be as wild as they want to be, but also to remember their love for her and keep it safe.
Overall, the message of the song is one of acceptance and empathy. The singer understands that the wild one is not a bad person, but rather someone who has been dealt a difficult hand in life. The song takes a stance against societal judgment and encourages love and understanding instead.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild one, wild one
Addressing the person as wild one to express admiration.
Wild one, you're a rebel
Acknowledging the person's rebellious nature.
And they say you're just no good
Saying that people judge the person harshly.
But they might change their mind
Leaving a possibility of people's perception changing.
If they only understood
Implies that people judge without understanding.
Wild one, I understand
Offering sympathy and understanding.
I know you've never had a chance
Expressing empathy for the person's past.
You're a victim of circumstance
Acknowledging the person's situation as circumstantial.
Can't you see
Asking to notice.
Just where you stand with me
Saying where the person stands in the relationship.
I've given you my heart
Offering love.
Don't you know where you go
Reassuring to follow wherever the person goes.
I will follow you
Reiterating to follow.
So fight if you want to
Encouraging to fight for what the person wants.
And go where you want to
Encouraging to make independent choices.
Be wild as can be
Encouraging to be wild and carefree.
But save your love for me
Requesting to save love for the artist.
Wild one, just let them talk
Encouraging the person to ignore negative comments.
Be what you want to be
Encouraging to be true to oneself.
Forget your love for me
Accepting of the person's decision to let go.
And find security
Caring for the person's well-being.
Wild one, you know that in my heart
Reassuring of love.
You're the only one
Expressing exclusivity in love.
No matter what you've done
Saying that the person is still loved despite past mistakes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IVY JO HUNTER, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernie Em
What a production this was...rivaling and surpassing Phil Spector's "wall of sound"! Amazing! Motown at it's finest!
Eric Walker
The Funk Brothers. What a group of great session musicians.
Virginia Mariposa Dale
Motown should have been immemorialized; it should have been subsidized by the government; how could anyone let it go under! I LOVE this music! And the Vandellas!
Loz Wright
What do you mean "let it go under" ?
Steven Johnson
Martha, Roz, and Betty were COOKIN on this record!!
Justin "QUAYLE" Pate
WILD ONE and DANCING IN THE STREETS are my favorite from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
James Belkin
Killer drums!
Dave
Wild One & Nowhere To Run are my pics for the best of this group.Shame Motown never gave them the support they deserved.The Government never gave either Motown or Martha Reeves the support either.
Ladylovemm
My God. This song ran through my mind this Sunday morning oct 9, 2022. How???
Ernest Castro
Wild One my favorite Martha and The Vandellas record.