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.
You've Been In Love Too Long )
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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(You're a fool for your baby)
Don't you know, girls
You've been in love too long
(You're a fool for your baby)
When just his smile takes all your pain away
And you find yourself believing whatever he may say
But your heart tells you, Girl, keep right on tryin'
Girls, you've been in love too long
(You're a fool for your baby)
Don't you know, girls? You've been in love too long
(You're a fool for your baby)
When you accept his wrongs just to share his kiss
And even though lonely nights are filled with happiness
Now girl, you're in trouble; you know your heart is seein' double
When your head tells you to run
But your heart says he's your only one
Girls, you've been in love too long
You're a fool for your baby)
(Girl, you've been in love too long)
You're a fool
'Cause when a week of loneliness
Can be erased with just one sweet caress
Girls, you've been in love too long
(You're a fool for your baby)
I say girls, oh yeah, you're a fool
When his wrong looks right 'cause he always treats you bad
When you find little excuses for all the sadness & abuses
Don't you know, girls, you're in love
You're just a fool for your baby
Girls, you've been in love too long
You're just a fool
Martha Reeves's song You've Been In Love Too Long is a cautionary tale to women who have been in love for too long with the wrong person. The lyrics discuss the various ways in which women allow themselves to be mistreated because they think they are in love. They sacrifice their dignity and self-respect because they are so desperate to hold on to a relationship that isn't good for them.
The song opens with the lines "Girls, you've been in love too long, don't you know, girls, you've been in love too long." This establishes a tone of warning and admonition. The repetition of the phrase "you've been in love too long" indicates that the women in this situation are not thinking clearly and need to be reminded of that fact. The song goes on to describe the ways in which women allow themselves to be mistreated - even when they know that they are being mistreated. They are willing to overlook their partner's flaws and transgressions because they are so committed to the idea of being in love.
The song is both a tribute to the power of love and a warning against the dangers of it. It celebrates the intensity and passion of romantic love while also cautioning that it can be blinding and destructive if one is not careful. Through its lyrics, Martha Reeves provides a message of hope to those who are caught up in a love that is not good for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls, you've been in love too long
You have spent too much time loving him.
(You're a fool for your baby)
You are foolish for being so devoted to him.
Don't you know, girls
Are you aware, ladies
When just his smile takes all your pain away
His smile is enough to make you forget all your troubles.
And you find yourself believing whatever he may say
You believe everything he tells you.
Now when he keeps you cryin'
Even when he makes you cry
But your heart tells you, Girl, keep right on tryin'
Your heart pushes you to hold on and keep trying.
When you accept his wrongs just to share his kiss
You ignore his wrongdoings just to be with him.
And even though lonely nights are filled with happiness
Even though being alone makes you happy.
Now girl, you're in trouble; you know your heart is seein' double
You are in a difficult situation and your heart is confused.
When your head tells you to run
Your mind tells you to leave.
But your heart says he's your only one
But your heart convinces you that he is the only one for you.
Cause when a week of loneliness can be erased with just one sweet caress
When his touch can make all your loneliness go away.
I say girls, oh yeah, you're a fool
You are indeed foolish.
When his wrong looks right 'cause he always treats you bad
You justify his wrongdoings because of his mistreatment.
When you find little excuses for all the sadness & abuses
You make excuses for the pain and mistreatment he causes you.
Don't you know, girls, you're in love
You are in love, ladies.
You're just a fool for your baby
You are foolish for loving him so devotedly.
Girls, you've been in love too long
You have spent too much time loving him.
You're just a fool
You are foolish.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLARENCE O. PAUL, IVY JO HUNTER, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Bawson
My FAV by the girls, a true Motown gem. Dancin in the streets ain't bad either but this is it!!! The flip side interrupted this from being much bigger.
Robert Velez
If you listen to the words to this song very carefully, you could swear that it is a message song! An absolute classic!
Leatherbro 1000
This song should be an anthem for women who have been in abusive relationships.
Gary S.
"You've Been In Love Too Long" - One of my all-time favorite Martha/Motown tracks!
Patrick Walton
Songs like this will ALWAYS live on. Unlike the music now it tells a true story.
DonnyPiano
Patrick Walton I agree! 😍
WAYNE HAZZARD
WELL said ‼️👍
WAYNE HAZZARD
Go Martha!!! Sounds like she dad theses tracks last night. Vocally, the natural beauty of her voice to me is more alive and soulfully pretty than any of the Motown Queens. She pulls you in and wears you out. Levi Stubbs does it from Motown's male stable.
Captain Keyboard
That is nice to know! The only thing I have known is to just enjoy the music as it flourished the air. This song swings.
Preston Barnes
Great voice! Sings it like she means it.