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 Got the Blues
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on
Got to make the best of a bad situation
Ever since that day
I woke up and found
That you were gone
Darkness all around me
Blackin out the sun
Old friends call me
But I just don't feel like talkin to anyone
Emptiness has found me
And it just wont let me go
I go right on livin'
But why I just don't know
Staring down reality
Don't do me no good
'Cause our misunderstanding
Is too well understood
Such a sad, sad season
When a good love dies.
Not a day goes by
When I don't realize
I've really got to use my imagination
To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on
Got to make the best of a bad situation
Ever since that day
I woke up and found
That you were gone
In Martha and the Vandellas's song "I Got the Blues," the singer expresses deep feelings of loss and loneliness after experiencing a significant breakup or loss of a loved one. The lyrics convey a sense of struggling to cope with the emptiness and darkness that has consumed their world since the person they cared for is no longer there. The line "I've really got to use my imagination" suggests that the singer is trying to find ways to cope and move forward by envisioning better days despite the overwhelming sadness they feel.
The mention of having to "make the best of a bad situation" reflects the singer's determination to find some positivity in the midst of heartbreak and devastation. The realization that the person they loved is no longer in their life has left them feeling lost and disconnected from the world around them. The darkness and emptiness that surrounds them symbolize the emotional void left by the absence of their loved one, making it difficult to find joy or connection with others.
The lyrics also touch on the struggle to continue living and moving forward despite the pain and confusion that lingers after the breakup. The singer acknowledges that they are going through the motions of life but questions the purpose or meaning behind it all. The feeling of being misunderstood and the inability to escape the sadness and longing for what was lost further highlight the depth of their emotional turmoil.
The recurring theme of using imagination to find reasons to keep going suggests a sense of resilience and the need to find inner strength to endure the heartache. The sadness and longing for the lost love are palpable throughout the song, underscoring the profound impact that such a breakup can have on a person's emotional well-being. Ultimately, the lyrics capture the poignant experience of trying to navigate life after a significant loss and the ongoing struggle to come to terms with the reality of a shattered relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I've really got to use my imagination
I need to tap into my creativity and resourcefulness
To think of good reasons
To come up with valid justifications
To keep on keepin' on
To persist and continue moving forward despite challenges
Got to make the best of a bad situation
I must find ways to cope and thrive even in adverse circumstances
Ever since that day
From the moment that significant event occurred
I woke up and found
I experienced a harsh realization upon awakening
That you were gone
That you had left me, leading to my feelings of loss
Darkness all around me
I feel surrounded by despair and hopelessness
Blackin out the sun
This overwhelming sadness obscures any joy or brightness in my life
Old friends call me
People from my past reach out to connect with me
But I just don't feel like talkin to anyone
However, I'm not in the mood for social interaction or communication
Emptiness has found me
A profound sense of void and loneliness has taken hold of me
And it just wont let me go
This feeling of emptiness clings to me persistently
I go right on livin'
I continue to carry on with my life
But why I just don't know
Yet, I struggle to understand the purpose behind my existence
Staring down reality
Facing the harsh truths of my situation head-on
Don't do me no good
This confrontation with reality provides me with no solace or relief
‘Cause our misunderstanding
Because the miscommunication between us
Is too well understood
Is deeply ingrained, and its implications are painfully clear
Such a sad, sad season
This is a profoundly sorrowful time in my life
When a good love dies.
Especially poignant when a once-cherished relationship ends
Not a day goes by
Every single day without exception
When I don't realize
When I do not become acutely aware
I've really got to use my imagination
I must again rely on my creativity to navigate my feelings
To think of good reasons
To formulate justifications for my decisions
To keep on keepin' on
To persevere through life's difficulties
Got to make the best of a bad situation
I need to derive positivity from challenging circumstances
Ever since that day
From that fateful moment onward
I woke up and found
I became acutely aware upon awakening
That you were gone
That you had departed, leaving me with heartache
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Goldberg, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@baddiemauve4958
[Verse 1]
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
Summer's here
And the time is right
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City
[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street
[Chorus]
Oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long
As you are there
So come on
Every guy
Grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing
They're dancing in the street
[Verse 2]
It's just an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing
Singing
Music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore and D.C. now
Can't forget the Motor City
[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street
[Chorus]
Oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long
As you are there
So, come on
Every guy
Grab a girl
Everywhere
Around the world
Dancing
They're dancing in the street
Way down in L.A
Every day
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue
Me and you
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
@katherinelikesstuff
one crazy summer ❤
@keltrepes2534
"Giant dolphin with rabies!"
@JohnRussell-hg6ii
My wife drops whatever she is doing and starts dancing when I crank this up. She was one of the Vandellas in a past life.
@gizbot9366
That should be everyone's reaction. How can you NOT dance to this?
@chriswitherspoon710
❤❤❤❤❤
@MemeContent-s3g
@@gizbot9366true
@eddie195777
I love Martha's story. She went to Motown with the desire to become a music star. The director in charge of signing artists didn't think she was good enough. She kept coming back and eventually the director asked her if she wanted to be his secretary. She gladly accepted. There was a rule back the day that if you were recorded a tract that you needed to have someone singing on the tract. They heard the inspector was coming and they needed someone to sing so they wouldn't get in trouble. Martha eagerly volunteered and the rest is history. PS: The song that she sang in that life changing moment was Dancing in The Street.
@epiclivestreammoments
Thanks for the history 🙏🏾💯
@AnthonyKilburn-j5t
I am 62 years old.This song never gets old!!!!😂😂😂😂❤❤❤
@keith9786
Age 67 checking in, yes it still sounds good!