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.
Get Ready
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're alright
Whenever I'm asked what makes a my dreams real
I tell 'em you do
You're outta' sight
Well twiddley dee, twiddley dum
Look out baby 'cause here I come
I'm bringing you a love that's true
Get ready, get ready
Start makin' love to you
Get ready, get ready
Get ready, 'cause here I come
Get ready, 'cause here I come
You wanna' play hide and seek with love, let me remind you
You're alright
Lovin' you're gonna' miss, and the time it takes to find you
You're outta' sight
Well fee fi, fo fo fum
Look out baby, 'cause here I come
I'm bringing you a love that's true
Get ready, get ready
Start makin' love to you
Get ready, get ready
Get ready, 'cause here I come
Get ready, 'cause here I come
Baby all my freedoms should you want me to I think i'll understand
You're alright
Hope I get to you before they do, 'cause that's how I planned it
You're outta' sight
Well twiddley dee, twiddley dum
Look out baby 'cause here I come
I'm bringing you a love that's true
Get ready, get ready
Start makin' love to you
Get ready, get ready
Get ready, 'cause here I come
Get ready, 'cause here I come
"Get Ready" by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas is a song about a man who has never met anyone who has made him feel the way the woman he's singing to does. He tells her that she's "outta' sight" and that he's bringing her a love that's true. He's warning her that if she wants to play games with love and try to run from him, he plans on catching her because he is ready to love her.
The song is an upbeat, soulful piece that encourages listeners to dance along. The use of the phrases "twiddley dee, twiddley dum" and "fee fi, fo fo fum" adds to the playful tone of the song. The singer's passion for the woman he's addressing is evident in his lyrics, and his desperation to be with her is apparent.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the singer is encouraging the woman to be open to love and stop running from it. He's urging her to get ready to fall in love with him because he's coming for her. The repetition of the words "get ready" throughout the song reinforces this message.
Line by Line Meaning
Never met a girl could make me feel the way that you do
I have never met a girl who could make me feel the emotions that you evoke in me.
You're alright
You are amazing and perfect in every way.
Whenever I'm asked what makes a my dreams real
Whenever anyone asks me what makes my dreams a reality.
I tell 'em you do
I always say that you are the reason my dreams come true.
You're outta' sight
You are beyond amazing, and it is hard to even comprehend how great you are.
Well twiddley dee, twiddley dum
Here I am, ready to make my move.
Look out baby 'cause here I come
Be prepared, because I am coming for you with all my love.
You wanna' play hide and seek with love, let me remind you
If you want to play games with love, let me remind you of something important.
Lovin' you're gonna' miss, and the time it takes to find you
You will regret not loving me, and the time it takes for you to realize this will be lost forever.
Well fee fi, fo fo fum
I am determined and unstoppable.
I'm bringing you a love that's true
I am bringing you a genuine and sincere love.
Get ready, get ready
Prepare yourself for the love that is coming your way.
Start makin' love to you
I am going to shower you with affection and devotion.
Baby all my freedoms should you want me to I think i'll understand
I am willing to make sacrifices to be with you, should you ask me to.
Hope I get to you before they do, 'cause that's how I planned it
I hope to reach you before anyone else does, because that is what I have intended all along.
Get ready, 'cause here I come
Prepare yourself, because I am coming to express my love to you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind