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".
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 Kelly replacing Annette Beard (now Beard-Sterling). In 1967, Kelly was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. It was right about this time that the group's name was officially changed to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, to conform with the company's recent changes of The Supremes' and The Miracles' names to reflect their featured lead singers. 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.
The story of the group did not end completely with their split-up in 1972, however. While Tilley and Williams (both now deceased) eventually retired, the others continued with their individual career pursuits: Lois sang with the group Quiet Elegance and also sang background for Al Green; Reeves reunited with original Vandellas Ashford and Beard-Sterling for a 1978 benefit concert in Los Angeles; and in 1983, Reeves performed solo at Motown 25, which partly helped her and the Vandellas gain a new audience. In particular, Reeves herself is still known to sing with her sisters Lois and Delphine, often performing as a solo artist under the bill, "Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas", and still performs all over the world.
Come And Get These Memories
Martha 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 and The Vandellas is a soulful ballad about a woman who has been left heartbroken and alone. The lyrics describe how her lover has left her with so many memories that she can no longer bear to hold onto. She presents him with all their old mementos, such as his friendship ring, love letters, teddy bear, valentine cards, and favorite record. She begs him to take them away and give them all to his new love.
However, the lyrics also show that the woman is not completely brokenhearted. She has found someone new and has moved on from her past love. The memories remain, but they no longer hold her captive. She is finally able to let go of them and start afresh. The repetition of the phrase "come and get these memories" emphasizes the woman's need to be free of her past and let go of what was holding her back.
Overall, "Come And Get These Memories" is a powerful song about the process of healing from a broken heart and moving on from the past. It is a theme that is universal and relatable to many people who have gone through the pain of losing someone they loved.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
My lover has left me and I am overwhelmed by the number of memories that we shared together.
Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
I have your old ring, but I cannot wear it anymore as it reminds me of the friendship that we once had.
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore
I have your old love letters, but I cannot bring myself to read them anymore as the memories are too painful.
Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
I have the old teddy bear that you won for me at the state fair. If you want it, come and get it.
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart
I have some old Valentine cards that you gave me. You can have them back and give them to your new lover.
Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
I have your old favorite record, but I cannot stand to listen to it anymore as it brings back too many painful memories.
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 still have some lingering love for you, but it is hurting me to keep it because of the memories that we shared together.
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him
I never thought of anyone else but you, but now I have found someone new and I am giving you back these memories to start a new chapter in my life.
So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
I am asking you to come and get these memories now that you have gone out of my life.
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
I am asking you, boy, to come and get these memories now that you have gone out of my life.
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...
I am giving you permission to give these memories to your new love and move on from our past relationship.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Claudia
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.
Dwayne E. Towns
Yeah you're right, I shudder at the thought what kids hear now.
Train's a'comin'
...he..ere's your ooold teddy bear, that you won for me, at the state fair......
lisa
The true beauty of their talent, enhanced with the feminine gowns. Just love this song.
Sol AΓΌm
This song will forever remind me of my mother who just passed on Christmas Eve β€π Love you Mom
Linda Dee
Spring of '63, I believe. Broke up with my boyfriend and this song said everything I was feeling, and put Martha and the Vandellas on the radio for us to enjoy.
loveyouall66
ONE OF THE MOST SOULFUL FEMALE GROUPS EVER. THE TEMPO OF THIS SONG IS PERFECT FOR THE BOP.
Russell Beyers
Song was released around Valentines Day of '63. What an absolute classic...!
Jerry Johnson
Β Absolutely beautiful song, beautifully sung. IΒ love this song to this day.Timeless. Blessings
Roshanda Mills
I wore this record out and then bought the album! Those were the GREAT days.