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.
In My Lonely Room
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You always flirt around with someone new
But I never criticize the tearful things you do
'Cause I'm so afraid of losing you
But in my lonely room, tears I don't have to hide
'Cause I just lock my door and let myself go
And lay right down and cry
Every place we go, people are whispering
About your flirting ways, & it hurts me so to hear
But in the public's eye I just push behind all my hurt inside
And pretend i don't mind
But in my lonely room, tears I don't have to hide
In my lonely lonely lonely lonely room
I push my pride aside and lay right down & cry
In my lonely room, in my lonely room
Let myself go, lay right down and cry
"In My Lonely Room" by Martha and the Vandellas is a song about a woman's struggle to hide her pain and tears from her partner. The lyrics express the pain and heartbreak that she feels whenever her partner flirts with someone new. Despite this, she chooses not to criticize her partner's actions out of fear of losing him.
The singer of the song always feels hurt and embarrassed when they go out in public because of her partner's flirting. However, she puts up a front in front of people, pretending not to be bothered by it. But when she is alone in her room, she allows herself to feel the pain fully, crying uncontrollably where there is no need to hide her tears. It's a song about the emotional toll of pretending to be happy and content when deep inside, you're hurting.
The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever tried to hide their heartbreak and pain from others, putting on a facade that everything is okay. "In My Lonely Room" captures the heart-wrenching experience of trying to keep up appearances as the world around you seems to fall apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Every single time you take me out with you
Whenever we go out together
You always flirt around with someone new
You engage in flirtatious behavior with other people
But I never criticize the tearful things you do
I refrain from judging you for your actions that make me upset
'Cause I'm so afraid of losing you
Because I'm scared of losing you as a partner
Every place we go, people are whispering
Whenever we are in public, people are gossiping about us
About your flirting ways, & it hurts me so to hear
They talk about how you flirt with other people and it pains me to listen to it
But in the public's eye I just push behind all my hurt inside
However, when we are in front of others, I hide my emotions and pretend to be fine
And pretend I don't mind
I act as if your actions do not affect me
But in my lonely room, tears I don't have to hide
But at home, in my own space, I am free to display my true emotions
In my lonely lonely lonely lonely room
In my own space, where I am alone
I push my pride aside and lay right down & cry
I let go of my ego and allow myself to cry
In my lonely room, in my lonely room
In the private confines of my own space
Let myself go, lay right down and cry
I allow myself to release my emotions and cry
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brianalejandro5746
This song has a special meaning to me. I love Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. It was such an honor to actually dance on stage with them.
@Bluhilla
That’s amazing. You’re one lucky man !
@lasgdle2777
As a baby boomer I jammed many a days off this song. As much as I love Heat Wave, Quicksand and others, this is my favorite. I only listen to 50s, 60s, and 70s. This was a wonderful era of "true music that could be understood!"
@davidmoore6112
It's just something about the golden years we grew up in no fooling every time I put in one of these cuts it's just so I just get happy you know and it brings me back to you a good old days you know when people have respect for each other vandellas you nailed it God bless you and your family
@leeroberts8114
This is one of the tunes that's the reason I love Northern Soul so much....KTF
@boomerang905
"But l never criticized the tearful things you do, cause lm so afraid of losing you ...." How can you make a sad song so beautiful? Genius. Motown was fire. 🔥
@aud2369
For those who gave this a thumbs down. Do you know music and words with meaning. This is real music. Thank you Funk Brothers you will live on in music for generations to come.....Peace.
@williamfleming5740
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@old-schooldaze2746
Martha handles this one .the vandellas are superb as usual.
@pluto1jack
I am 67 years young, so put things in perspective and you will understand why I say,
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were some sexy looking, talented young ladies.....hats off!!