The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves and 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".
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1960, the group had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis and originally was a quartet of Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard and original lead singer Gloria Williamson. Williamson left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name again 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, changing their name to Martha and the Vandellas in 1962.
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's final performance at Detroit's Cobo Hall in 1972 ended their twelve-year existence.
Come and Get These Memories
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many memories
Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore
So many memories
Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories (so many memories)
Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em)
It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart
Because of these memories
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him
So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
So come on and get these memories
(Come and get 'em since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
The song "Come and Get These Memories" by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas is a heart-wrenching lament of a woman who has been left behind by her lover. The lyrics speak of the many memories that the lover has left behind and how they are too painful for the singer to bear. She is giving him back his old friendship ring and love letters, telling him to take his old Valentine cards and Teddy Bear that he won for her at the State Fair and give them to his new sweetheart. She can't bear to hear their old favorite record anymore, and her heart is torn apart by the lingering love that she can't shake off.
The lyrics express the pain and the memories that the singer is experiencing after losing her love. She has found someone new, but the memories are still there, haunting her, tearing her heart apart. This song is an emotional journey of loss, pain, and acceptance, of letting go of the past and moving on to a new future.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
My lover has left me with countless memories.
Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore
I still have your belongings, but I can't bear to keep them with me anymore since you're not here with me.
Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart
I have things you gave me as gifts, but I want you to come and get them or give them to your new partner.
Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em)
It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart
Because of these memories
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him
The memories associated with you still linger in my heart and hurt me. I couldn't think of anyone else but you until I found someone new. I want you to come and get these memories now that I have moved on.
So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
I want you to come and take back these memories since you're not a part of my life anymore. Or you can choose to give them to your new partner, whichever you prefer.
So come on and get these memories
(Come and get 'em since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
I strongly insist that you come and take these memories since you're no longer in my life. You can pass them down to your new partner if you choose to.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samtrak1204
After leaving for LA in 1959 I returned to Detroit 4 years later in 1963. I was at a house party when I first heard "Come and get these memories" and I have been a Martha Reeves and The Vandellas fan ever since.
@CleoLoveCrafts
When music was music. No vulgar lyrics, curse words, or overt sexual overtures. I really miss this feeling when I heard my parents play their songs.
@trainsacomin2088
...he..ere's your ooold teddy bear, that you won for me, at the state fair......
@DwayneETowns
Yeah you're right, I shudder at the thought what kids hear now.
@cynthiapickett7403
RIP Lamont Dozier (1941-2022).
@lindaschaffer6818
Just like it was yesterday (1964) lol, I can remember sitting in the FOX Theatre, Downtown Detroit watching the MOTOWN REVIEW. I was the the tag along little sister lol I saw them all.. from the Miracles, The Temptations, Little Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes and the list goes on. The complete MOTOWN family of Stars. One of the most cherished memories of my childhood
@margaretferguson5168
Yeah I feel ya.. 😍
@memorymom1
Linda Schaffer. Cherished memories indeed. I have beautiful memories just having been a kid growing up listening to the music we love from that era. Surely having been there in person seeing all those “celebrities “ was special indeed!
@juehlwillis4699
Wow...many Memories I'm sure
@motownfan3
Wow; were you lucky....I've seen most except THE MARVELETTES ,and MARVIN GAYE.I was able to finally catch KIM WESTON in PHILLY two years ago at age 80...... she turn the place out we gave her a five minute standing ovation...
On my bucket list is visit the Motown and Fox theater :)