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'm Ready For Love
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the first time I feel alone in life.
As I watched the moon kiss the starlit sky
I feel the need for your lips to press close to mine.
For so long I been afraid to love,
but right now I feel the need for love
and you, you have the love the love I need
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
sweet sweet love right now I'm ready for love.
I've tried to shield my heart from love's tender touch
'cause to lose in love would hurt so much;
but as I softly walk in my solitude
I searched my heart and found there's a need for you.
And for the first time I feel alone,
'cause I need a love to call my own;
and only you, you have the love the love I need
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
I'm truly ready for love you know I'm ready for love
your wonderful sweet sweet love
I'm ready right now I'm ready right now.
Something wonderful has come over me
and filled this heart of mine with ecstasy
I'm glad I finally opened up my eyes
and pushed the fear of love, the fear of love aside;
and for the first time I feel alive
I have the touch of love deep down inside.
And just as soon as I see your smiling face
I'll rush into your warm embrace.
Right now I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
you wonderful sweet, sweet love
right now I'm ready for love
you know I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
right now I'm ready for love
you know I'm ready for love,
I'm truly ready for love,
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
The lyrics of "I'm Ready For Love" by Martha and The Vandellas describe the singer’s innermost feelings and desire for love which was previously suppressed in fear of being hurt. The moonlit night appears to embolden the singer to open up and embrace love. The opening lines, "As I stand alone on this moonful night, for the first time I feel alone in life" are significant in that they convey a sense of solitude but also a realization that love is important, and the singer is now ready. The moon kiss suggests a romantic gesture as the singer searches for someone to share love with.
The line "I’ve tried to shield my heart from love's tender touch 'cause to lose in love would hurt so much" is particularly poetic as the singer is acknowledging the fear of being hurt but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the desire for love is stronger than the fear of being hurt. The use of the phrase ‘pushed the fear of love, the fear of love aside’ also emphasizes this point. The song’s use of figurative language, such as the personification of the moon and the metaphorical emphasis on ‘love’s tender touch’ enhances the song’s meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
As I stand alone on this moonful night
At this moment, I find myself alone on this night with a full moon.
for the first time I feel alone in life.
I am experiencing loneliness for the first time in my life.
As I watched the moon kiss the starlit sky
While I was observing the moon kissing the sky full of stars
I feel the need for your lips to press close to mine.
I have a desire to have your lips close to mine.
For so long I been afraid to love,
I have been avoiding love for a long time.
but right now I feel the need for love
Currently, I am feeling the necessity for love.
and you, you have the love the love I need
You have the love that I need.
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
Your love will provide me comfort, and I am ready for it.
truly ready for love your wonderful
I am genuinely prepared for love, your admirable love.
sweet sweet love right now I'm ready for love.
I yearn for your wonderful, affectionate love, and I am currently prepared for it.
I've tried to shield my heart from love's tender touch
I have attempted to guard my heart against the gentle touch of love.
'cause to lose in love would hurt so much;
Losing in love would be very painful.
but as I softly walk in my solitude
While I walk calmly by myself
I searched my heart and found there's a need for you.
After introspection, I determined that I need you.
And for the first time I feel alone,
I feel alone for the first time in my life.
'cause I need a love to call my own;
I require a love that is solely mine.
and only you, you have the love the love I need
You are the only one with the love that I need.
to comfort me oo and I'm ready for love
I am eager for your love to bring me a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
I'm truly ready for love you know I'm ready for love
I am genuinely prepared for love, and you know this.
your wonderful sweet sweet love I'm ready right now I'm ready right now.
I am ready and anticipating your affections, your magnificent, and endlessly sweet love.
Something wonderful has come over me
I am feeling positive and happy.
and filled this heart of mine with ecstasy
My heart is filled with an overwhelming feeling of euphoria.
I'm glad I finally opened up my eyes
I am relieved that I have finally become more aware of my surroundings.
and pushed the fear of love, the fear of love aside;
I have cast aside my fear of love.
and for the first time I feel alive
I feel alive and invigorated.
I have the touch of love deep down inside.
I feel a deep, stirring love within me.
And just as soon as I see your smiling face
As soon as I witness your joyful expression
I'll rush into your warm embrace.
I will run into your affectionate arms.
Right now I'm ready for love,
At this moment, I am prepared for love.
I'm truly ready for love,
I am genuinely prepared for love.
you wonderful sweet, sweet love
You, with your lovely, sweet love
right now I'm ready for love
I am currently prepared for love, right now.
you know I'm ready for love,
You are aware that I am prepared for love.
I'm truly ready for love,
I am truly prepared for love.
your wonderful sweet, sweet love
You, with your delightful, touching love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boofusdeldooofus
A masterpiece. Just the right recipe.....jazzy, rough and elegant. that opening drum riff is classic
@jeffstewart7045
It was used on 'You Can't Hurry Love' too...
@jeffreyemerson2565
Martha has stayed true to her roots, and currently serves on Detroit's city council. She is a very down-to-earth, approachable person, and very proud of her work in the music industry as well.
@stumiller3492
Martha served one term on the Detroit City Council, but that was 7 or 8 years ago...
@MrPistolMason
Simply a powerful track . . . powerful vocal by Martha . . . the ladies . . . great orchestera / arrangement . . . this is simply an all around excellent track.
@lukaskliukas3382
Great, great song, can't get enough of it, I repeat it over and over again
@badboyz22907
my favorite song by martha and the vandellas ever. can't play oldies without playing this song love this song so much
@hugebrown36
What a voice this girl!! Magic!!!
@hollidayevery
Motown used this type of bassline on a few songs like this one, "All I Need" by the Temptations, and "You Can't Hurry Love" by that other girl group, who shall remain nameless here.
@mowestjohn
For me, the best thing they ever recorded!