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.
Hitch Hike
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
I'm packin' up my bags, gonna leave this old town right away
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike
Chicago City Limits, that's what the sign on the highway read
I'm gonna keep movin till I get to that street corner 6th and 3rd
(6th and 3rd, hitch hike baby) Hitch hike, yeah
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike, baby
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Now hitch-a hike (Hitch hike baby)
It's all right (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike dance)
Yeah, hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike baby)
I'm goin' to St. Louis, but my next stop just might be L.A.
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say? (L.A.)
Got no money in my pocket so I'm gonna have to hitch hike all the way
(All the way) Yeah (Hitch hike baby)
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say
Come on, hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
Come hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
The song starts with the singer saying that they are going to Chicago, which is where their significant other has run away to. The determination to find their lost love is clear as they pack their bags and prepare to leave town right away. The singer expresses their resolve or alternatively, desperation to find their lover, even if they have to hitchhike around the world. The repetition of the phrase "hitch hike" creates an urgency and desperation that is expressed through the song's uptempo rhythm.
The song then describes the journey the singer goes through to reach Chicago, constantly hitchhiking and moving towards their love. During their hitchhiking journey, they are always moving towards the specific destination – the street corner of 6th and 3rd. They repeat the phrase "hitch hike" throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of their determination to find their lost love. The song chorus changes, presenting a dance-like rhythm, giving listeners the opportunity to let loose and dance.
Overall, the lyrics express the determination and desperation to find a lost love, with a constantly upbeat and danceable rhythm. The repeated use of the phrase "hitch hike" creates the perfect metaphor for relentlessly pursuing a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' to Chicago; that's the last place my baby strayed
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
The singer is leaving for Chicago in hopes of finding their lost love. They plan to hitchhike the entire way there.
I'm packin' up my bags, gonna leave this old town right away
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
The singer is leaving their hometown without delay and bringing everything they need packed in bags. They plan to hitchhike the entire way to Chicago.
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike
The singer is determined to find their lost love even if they have to hitchhike all around the world. This is their main goal and nothing will stop them.
Chicago City Limits, that's what the sign on the highway read
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
The artist sees a sign for Chicago and knows they are on the right path. They continue to hitchhike the entire way there.
I'm gonna keep movin till I get to that street corner 6th and 3rd
(6th and 3rd, hitch hike baby) Hitch hike, yeah
The artist has a specific destination in mind and will keep moving until they reach it. They mention a specific street corner, 6th and 3rd, and keep hitchhiking until they get there.
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Now hitch-a hike (Hitch hike baby)
It's all right (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike dance)
Yeah, hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny
The singer continues to hitchhike and encourages others to do the same. They mention specific names, Jenny and Susan, and continue to dance along to the hitchhiking rhythm.
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike baby)
The singer repeats the phrase 'hitch hike baby' and mentions the name Susan again. This adds to the song's catchy rhythm and emphasizes its message of hitchhiking.
I'm goin' to St. Louis, but my next stop just might be L.A.
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say? (L.A.)
Got no money in my pocket so I'm gonna have to hitch hike all the way
(All the way) Yeah (Hitch hike baby)
The artist mentions their next destination, St. Louis, and hints at the possibility of going to L.A. afterward. They also mention having no money and the need to hitchhike the entire way.
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say
The artist restates their goal of finding their lost love, no matter how far they have to travel. They are willing to hitchhike around the world to find them.
Come on, hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
Come hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
The artist encourages others to hitchhike with them and mentions the names Jenny and Susan again. This adds to the song's catchy rhythm and emphasizes its message of hitchhiking.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLARENCE O. PAUL, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Alejandro
This is just such a cool song. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are and always be #1
kajuan walker
hitch hike one of my favorites from the beautiful martha and my vandellas legends from the well oiled machine better known as motown, love yall and even doe yall aint made no more music since the 70's your classics still make me smile, along with other classics i listen to by you, love yall!!!!!
trfesok
Uses the same backing track as the original Gaye version.Also covered by the Stones, the Grass Roots, The Sonics & Alison Moyet. I put all of these in my "Stones...covering" playlist. Thanks for the upload!