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.
Do I Love You
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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I see my tear-stained face when I look in my mirror
I stare in space as night grows nearer, cryin'
I need you, baby, I need you
I need you, baby, I need you
I just sit and wonder, did you fall for someone else?
'Cause if I hurt you, baby, I really hurt myself
I need you, yes I really need you
What am I gonna do without your love?
What am I gonna do without you, baby?
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
I need you, I really really need you
I just sit and mope by myself
Like part of my household fixtures
These arms of mine are holdin'
Clingin' to your picture, cryin'
I need you, yes I need you
I need you, baby, I need you
Come on, come on right now, baby
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I need you, yes I really need you
What am I gonna do without your love?
What can I do without you, baby?
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
I can't stand it, I just can't stand it
Here's a broken heart and
A love that's slowly dyin'
A room full of tears and a heart,
A heart that's cryin'
I need you, yes I really need you
I need you, you know that I need you
Come on, come on right now, baby
If you love me, come back, baby
Oooo yeah, baby, oh tell me right now
What am I gonna do without your love?
What can I do without you?
Come on, come on back to me, baby
The lyrics of Martha and The Vandellas' "Do I Love You" delve deep into the raw emotions of heartbreak and longing for a lost love. The singer of the song is deeply affected by the absence of their partner, expressing their pain through tears and sorrow. The repeated lines "I need you, baby, I need you" emphasize the desperation and yearning for the person who has left, showing that their presence is essential for the singer's emotional well-being.
The lyrics convey a sense of self-reflection and introspection, as the singer examines their tear-stained face in the mirror and ponders whether their partner has moved on to someone else. There is a feeling of self-blame and regret, with the singer expressing that hurting their partner has ultimately caused them more pain. The vulnerability and emotional turmoil expressed in these lines highlight the impact of lost love on the singer's psyche.
The repetitive questioning of "What am I gonna do without your love?" reveals the overwhelming sense of emptiness and uncertainty that comes with the absence of the loved one. The singer feels as though they are slowly losing their grip on reality, descending into a state of emotional chaos and desperation. The longing for their partner is palpable in these lines, with a plea for their return to fill the void that has been created by their absence.
The imagery of clinging to a picture of the lost love, while surrounded by tears and a broken heart, paints a poignant picture of sorrow and despair. The singer's inability to cope without their partner's love is evident in the lyrics, as they express their deep need for their presence to fill the void in their heart. The repeated calls for the loved one to come back underscore the yearning and hope that the relationship can be salvaged, showcasing the singer's willingness to do whatever it takes to mend the broken bond.
Line by Line Meaning
(Since you've been gone I've been cryin' all night long, I've been sad)
I constantly see my tear-stained face in the mirror and cry as night falls, feeling immense sadness
I just sit and wonder, did you fall for someone else?
I find myself contemplating if you have replaced me with someone new
What am I gonna do without your love?
I question how I will cope without the love and presence you provided
I'm slowly slowly goin' crazy
I feel my sanity slipping away as I long for your return
I just sit and mope by myself
I find myself wallowing alone in sorrow and grief
These arms of mine are holdin'
My arms long to hold you close once again
Here's a broken heart and
My heart is shattered and in pain
A room full of tears and a heart
My surroundings are filled with tears and my heart is filled with longing
If you love me, come back, baby
I plead for your return, my love, please come back to me
What can I do without you?
I am at a loss as to how to move forward without you by my side
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SYLVIA MOY, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabethreyes9991
When i hear this song reminds me of my Daddy, before he passed away with cancer he wanted too make sure we played this song for his service😥. He told me when it's my time he'll be at the gate with open arm's waiting for me😭. I Miss Him So Much, he was the best Daddy ever😍
@enorm4changes
❤️🙏🏾
@debrene1233
Beautiful memories of your Papa 🙏🏼
11-24-22
@bomberjohnson69
Beautiful song. Pray we get back the people we love
@adrianharies9849
I miss my Ole man he passed in 2001
@imbees2
Wow, Elizabeth. Powerful words for you father!
@polows
I'm 76 years old and this song just brings tears running down my face. This puts Martha Reeves in a whole other category.
@edwardsosa1588
I'm 73 and I'm with you miss 76. I wore out that 45... We have to love our old songs to survive this life. Ed.
@stonehand49
Yep❤
@user-pm4ef8yu7w
Imagine young girls, in love today…..that don’t have songs like this, on their playlist. 😘