Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Moto… Read Full Bio ↴Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to 1972, 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 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.

There He Is
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas Lyrics

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There he is at my door
I just can't let him in
Because I know that's when
Heartaches will start again

He keeps on knockin' at my door
There he is
He just came back to hurt me some more

I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
Cause I know he don't really care

Maybe this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he'll stay

But I hate to take that chance
There he is
Of opening that door
Because if I see him again
I know my foolish heart will let him win

Baby, this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way

So I'm gonna push my pride aside
Put on a great big smile
So he won't know
I've been crying all the while

Baby, baby, baby, walk on in

Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in

Overall Meaning

The song "There He Is" by Martha Reeves And The Vandellas is a classic example of a simple yet powerful love song. The lyrics describe the singer's dilemma when her ex-lover comes knocking at her door. She knows that he will only bring heartache and pain, but at the same time, she can't resist the temptation to let him in. She's torn between her desire for him and her fear of being hurt again. It's a classic case of a love-hate relationship where the heart wants what it can't have.

Throughout the song, the singer tries to convince herself that she's better off without him. But deep down, she knows that she still has feelings for him. The lyrics capture the complex emotions of love, loss, and longing that we all experience at some point in our lives. The repetition of the chorus "Baby, baby, baby, walk on in" emphasizes the internal struggle that the singer is going through. She's trying to convince herself that she's over him, but at the same time, she's pleading with him to come back.

Overall, "There He Is" is a beautifully crafted song that captures the essence of human emotions. It's a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

Line by Line Meaning

There he is at my door
He is present outside my door

I just can't let him in
I am unwilling to permit him to enter my home

Because I know that's when Heartaches will start again
The beginning of emotional pain and torment is inevitable if I allow him to enter

He keeps on knockin' at my door
He persists in knocking on my door

There he is
He is present

He just came back to hurt me some more
He returned with the intention of causing me additional emotional pain

I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
I am making an effort to avoid hearing his knocking

Cause I know he don't really care
I am aware that he does not have genuine concern for me

Maybe this time he'll say
It's possible that he may express

He's gonna see things my way
He intends to agree with my point of view

And he won't ever stray or ever go away
He promises fidelity and longevity in the relationship