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.
I'll Follow You
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The wishing well
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light & gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
The lyrics of "I'll Follow You" speak to the enduring nature of love and how even when lovers are physically apart, they remain present in each other's memories and surroundings. The song opens with the singer expressing her certainty that she will see her love in all the familiar places that her heart embraces. In these familiar locations, such as cafes or parks, the singer envisions that she will be constantly reminded of her beloved, particularly during the times of day that she traditionally associates with him or her, such as sunny afternoons or moonlit evenings. The artist speaks of the joys of the summer season and all things light and gay, which further emphasizes her deep and enduring love.
The final verse of the song suggests that the lovers may be separated by time and distance. However, the singer assures her love that despite this separation, they will remain connected through their shared memories and experiences. This closing verse is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the ability of love to persist through all barriers, and how even the most seemingly insignificant moments can take on a deep and lasting meaning.
Overall, "I'll Follow You" is a beautiful and emotionally resonant song that speaks to the power of love to endure and to shape our experiences of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be seeing you
I will think of you often and remember our time together
In all the old familiar places
Your memory is tied to the places we visited together
That this heart of mine embraces
My heart still holds a special affection for you
All day through
Your memory lingers with me throughout the day
In that small cafe
I will remember the times we spent sharing conversation and meals
The park across the way
I will remember the nature and beauty we experienced together
The children's carousel
I will always remember the joy we felt watching children play
The chestnut trees
The natural beauty of the trees will always remind me of you
The wishing well
I will remember the happiness we shared when making wishes together
In every lovely summer's day
The beauty of summer will always remind me of you
In everything that's light & gay
I will remember the happy times we shared, filled with lightness and joy
I'll always think of you that way
My memories of you will forever be positive and uplifting
I'll find in the morning sun
The morning sun will be a joyous reminder of our time together
And when the night is new
Even in the darkness of night, my thoughts will turn to you
I'll be looking at the moon
The beauty of the moon will bring back fond memories of you
But I'll be seeing you
No matter what I do or where I go, you will always be with me
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Kahal, Sammy Fain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind