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.
If I Had A Hammer
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
"If I Had a Hammer" is a song that speaks about the power of love and companionship. Throughout the lyrics, the singer imagines a world full of endless possibilities if they had the love and support of someone special. The opening line, "I could show the world how to smile" sets the tone for the song that aims to inspire optimism and positivity. The following lines continue to express a deep desire for change and a longing for a better life. The use of "grey skies" implies a sense of dreariness and depression that the singer wants to overcome.
The song then turns to the idea of leaving behind old habits and friends to start anew. The singer acknowledges that this would not be a problem if they had the love and support of someone special. The lyrics about climbing mountains, sailing oceans, and crossing deserts are metaphors for the challenges that we face in life. The idea is that with someone by our side, we can conquer any obstacle that comes our way.
The closing lines of the song declare that there is nothing that the singer could not do if they had the love and support of the person they desire. This is a beautiful expression of the power of love, and how it can give us the strength to face anything that life throws our way.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
With you by my side, I would be so happy that I would radiate joy and show others how to smile.
I could be glad all of the while
I would always be happy if I had you in my life and would never have a reason to be sad.
I could change the grey skies to blues
My optimism and happiness would brighten up even the gloomiest, dreariest days.
If I had you
All of these things are possible if I had your love and companionship.
I could leave the old days behind
With you, I would be able to leave behind any negative experiences or hardships in my past and move forward with you by my side.
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
Even if I had to leave my friends behind, it wouldn't matter as long as I had you with me.
I could start my life all a new
With your love, I could start fresh and build a new life filled with happiness and possibility.
I could climb the snow capped mountains
With your support, I would have the courage and determination to face any challenge, no matter how daunting.
Sail the mighty ocean wide
With you by my side, I would be able to explore new horizons and experience the world in all its beauty and wonder.
I could cross the burning desert
Even in the face of difficult or dangerous obstacles, I would have the strength and perseverance to overcome them with your love.
If I had you by my side
All of these things are possible and within my reach, as long as I have you by my side.
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
With your love, I would feel so powerful and in control of my destiny that I wouldn't need any sort of formal title or recognition to feel like royalty.
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
No matter what my circumstances are, as long as I have your love and support, I feel content and fulfilled.
There is nothing I couldn't do
With your love as my driving force, I feel like I can accomplish anything and overcome any obstacle.
If I had you
Overall, having your love and companionship would bring me so much joy and make my life so much richer and more fulfilling.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gordon Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind