Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Moto… Read Full Bio ↴Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to 1972, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.

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.

My Boyfriend's Back
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics

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My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
When you see him comin', better cut on the double.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
You've been spreading lies that I was untrue.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

And he knows that you've been tryin',
And he knows that you've been lyin'.

He's been gone for such a long time.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
Now he's back and things will be fine.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
You're gonna be sorry you were ever born.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
'Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
And he knows about your cheatin',
Now you're gonna get a beatin'.

What made you think he'd believe all your lies?
(Ah-oo, ah-oo.)
You're a big man now, but he'll cut you down to size!
(Ah-oo.)
Wait and see!

My boyfriend's back, he's gonna save my reputation

(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
If I were you, I'd take a permanent vacation.
(Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

La-di-la, my boyfriend's back!
La-di-la, my boyfriend's back!

Overall Meaning

The song "My Boyfriend's Back" by Martha and The Vandellas is about a girl who is standing up to bullies who are spreading rumors about her. She tells them that her boyfriend is coming back and they will be in trouble when he finds out what they have been saying about her. The lyrics are a warning to those who have been spreading lies about the singer that they will receive retribution because her boyfriend is back and he is going to protect her. The singer's boyfriend has been away for a long time and presumably, the bullies took advantage of his absence to spread rumors about her. The lyrics also allude to the fact that the singer's boyfriend is big and strong, which is meant to scare the bullies further.

The chorus of the song, "Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back," is a catchy and memorable hook that reinforces the singer's message. The overall theme of the song is about standing up to bullies and taking control of one's narrative. It's a fun and positive message that encourages independence and self-reliance.

Line by Line Meaning

My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
My boyfriend has returned and you will face the consequences of your actions because of the trouble you have caused. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

When you see him comin', better cut on the double. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
If you happen to see him, better run away as fast as you can because he will not take things lightly. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

You've been spreading lies that I was untrue. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
You have been spreading rumors about me that are not true, and my boyfriend has found out about it. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
Beware, he is coming to get you because of the lies you have spread. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

And he knows that you've been tryin', And he knows that you've been lyin'.
He is aware of the fact that you have tried to fool him with your lies, but he is not fooled. He knows the truth.

He's been gone for such a long time. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
He has been away for a long time, and now that he is back, things will change. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

Now he's back and things will be fine. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
Now that he has returned, our relationship will improve and everything will be okay. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

You're gonna be sorry you were ever born. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
You will regret ever crossing him and spreading rumors because he will make sure you pay for it. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

'Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
You should be afraid because he is a big and strong man, and when he is angry, he is very dangerous. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

And he knows about your cheatin', Now you're gonna get a beatin'.
He is aware of your unfaithfulness, and now you will pay the price for your actions.

What made you think he'd believe all your lies? (Ah-oo, ah-oo.)
Why would you assume that he would believe your deceitful actions? (Ah-oo, ah-oo.)

You're a big man now, but he'll cut you down to size! (Ah-oo.)
You may think highly of yourself, but he will bring you down to reality and make you face the consequences. (Ah-oo.)

My boyfriend's back, he's gonna save my reputation. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
My boyfriend has returned to clear my name and reputation from the lies you have created. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

If I were you, I'd take a permanent vacation. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)
If I were you, I would run away and never come back, knowing the danger you have caused. (Hey, la-di-la, my boyfriend's back.)

La-di-la, my boyfriend's back!
I am happy and relieved that my boyfriend has returned to face those who have wronged me.

La-di-la, my boyfriend's back!
I am celebrating and rejoicing his return with happiness and excitement.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERALD GOLDSTEIN, BOB FELDMAN, RICHARD GOTTEHRER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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