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 Say a Little Prayer
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like you did last summer
Yeah, let's twist again
Like you did last year
Do you remember when
Things were really hummin'
Yeah let's twist agin
Well, around and round and up and down
We go again
Come on baby make me know you love me so
Let's twist again
Like you did last summer
Yeah, let's twist again
Like you did last year
Well, around and round and up and down
We go again
Come on baby make me know you love me so
Let's twist again
Like you did last summer
Yeah, let's twist again
Like you did last year
Oh come on and let's twist again
Like you did last year
The song “I Say A Little Prayer” is not a part of these lyrics mentioned above; therefore, I am assuming this to be a mistake. These are the lyrics to the song “Let’s Twist Again,” performed by Martha and The Vandellas. The song carries a fun, upbeat tone as it invites the listener to dance and twist. It refers to an event of the past when the twist dance was popular and asks to relive that moment. Each verse repeats the same lines in a slightly different manner, following the pattern of the twist routine, where the dance moves repeat with variations. The song’s refrain asks the partner to express their love while twisting and turning with them.
It is a danceable tune that invites the listener to join in the fun and celebrates a moment in time when twisting was in fashion. It is light-hearted, fun, and brings nostalgia to the listeners who were alive and grooving to the twist in the ‘60s. The repetitive lyrics and the rhythm of the song add to its charm, making it a perfect dance floor hit.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on let's twist again
Encouraging someone to participate and engage in dancing the twist once more
Like you did last summer
Reminiscing about a past summer season when the twist dance was popular and enjoyed
Yeah, let's twist again
Expressing enthusiasm to repeat the experience of twisting and having a good time
Like you did last year
Recollecting a time of happiness while dancing the twist in the past year
Do you remember when
Asking if someone remembers a specific time or event from the past
Things were really hummin'
Referring to a time when things were exciting and lively
Yeah let's twist again
Reiterating the desire to dance the twist once again
Twist the time is here
Emphasizing that the present moment is a good time to dance the twist
Well, around and round and up and down
Describing the movements of the twist dance
We go again
Returning to the experience of dancing the twist
Come on baby make me know you love me so
Asking for reassurance of love and affection through the act of dancing together
Oh come on and let's twist again
Urging someone to join and participate in repeating the twist dance
Like you did last year
Echoing the fond memories of dancing the twist from the previous year
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group
Written by: KAL MANN, DAVID APPELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind