Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the… 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.

You Neglect Me
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics

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I don't like you
But I love you
See that I'm always
Thinking of you

Oh, oh, oh,
You treat me badly
I love you madly

You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I don't want you
But I need you
Don't want to kiss you
But I need you
Oh, oh, oh

You do me wring now
My love is strong now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby
I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me

I want to leave you
Don't want to stay here
Don't want to spend
Another day here

Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now
I just can quit now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby
I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me

You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me

Overall Meaning

The song "You Neglect Me" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas explores the complex feelings of a woman who is in a tumultuous relationship with a man who treats her badly. The lyrics express both love and hate for the man - the singer loves him deeply, but also despises him for the way he treats her. The opening line, "I don't like you but I love you," sets the tone for the rest of the song.

The song is essentially about a toxic relationship, in which the man has a hold on the woman and she feels powerless to leave him. Despite the fact that he neglects her and treats her poorly, she is unable to let go of her feelings for him. The chorus, "You've really got a hold on me," repeats throughout the song, emphasizing this theme.

The lyrics also touch on the woman's conflicting desires - she doesn't want to be with the man, but she feels like she needs him. The lines "I don't want you but I need you, Don't want to kiss you but I need you" capture this sentiment perfectly. In the end, the woman wants to leave the man, but she is unable to do so because he has such a strong hold on her.

You Neglect MeMartha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics

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You Neglect Me
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics