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.

One Way Out
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics

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Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls Royce car
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.

I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
I got a woman crazy for me

She's funny that way.

I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.

Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She'd be so much better off if I went away.

But why should I leave her, why should I go
She'd be unhappy without me I know
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.

She should have the very best, Anyone can see
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.

Never had nothin'; no one to care
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
I got a woman, crazy for me,
She's funny that way.

When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
Her only answer is one little smile,
I got a woman crazy for me.
She's funny that way.

I can see no other way and no better plan,
End it all and let her go to some better man;
But I'm only human, coward at best
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,

I got a woman crazy for me,
She's funny that way.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Martha and The Vandellas's song "One Way Out" tell the story of a man who is amazed by the love he receives from his partner, despite his humble lifestyle. Once wealthy and draped in luxury, she is now content with living a simple life with her partner. He reflects on the fact that he is not much to look at and has little to offer in terms of financial security, yet she remains devoted to him. He acknowledges that he sometimes worries about their future and feels that he does not deserve her, but ultimately remains grateful for her love and loyalty.

The song explores themes of love, devotion, and self-worth, with a subtle nod to the societal pressures placed on individuals to succeed financially. The lyrics convey that love is not defined by material possessions or societal status, but rather by the bond between two individuals. The song's titular phrase "one way out" could be interpreted as the man's acceptance that he cannot provide his partner with a lavish lifestyle, but also serves as a reminder that he cannot imagine a life without her.

Line by Line Meaning

Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls Royce car
She used to live a luxurious life with fancy clothes and a luxurious car, but it's not the same anymore. She's not shining as bright as she used to.

Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Her current state is a sharp contrast compared to how glamorous she used to be. It's like she doesn't belong to her new ordinary lifestyle, it's like her light is diminished.

Draped around my kitchen sink, Happy as can be
She's happy with her humdrum life despite the opulence she used to live. She finds joy in the simple things, even if it's doing house chores.

I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
He wonders why someone like her would choose someone like him. He's reflecting on what he has to offer and why she loves him.

I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
He believes he doesn't have much to offer physically, he's not that attractive.

Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
He's grateful to be alive and lucky enough to be with someone crazy for him, someone who loves him for who he is.

I got a woman crazy for me
He has a woman that's head over heels for him and it's all that matters.

She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
She's not concerned about their living conditions, she'll live anywhere as long as she's with him.

Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She's willing to work hard and be devoted to him even if it's every day.

She'd be so much better off if I went away.
He thinks she'll be better off without him since he can't offer her much, a reflection of his insecurities.

But why should I leave her, why should I go
He's struggling with the decision of whether to leave her or not. He's not sure if he's good for her, but he doesn't want to lose her.

She'd be unhappy without me I know
He's confident that she'll be unhappy without him, he knows that he's important to her.

She should have the very best, Anyone can see
She deserves everything the best in the world, and it's evident.

Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
She's different from everyone else he's ever known, and she's content with what he has to offer. She's not materialistic, and that makes her very special to him.

While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
He's anxious about their future, what he can do to make their lives better, and how he can keep her by his side.

Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
He thinks their relationship is too perfect, and he's worried that it might not be real. He feels like it's something that should only happen in his dreams.

Never had nothin'; no one to care
He's never really had anything in his life, no family, and no one to care for him.

That's why I seem to have more than my share,
That's why he feels like he has more than he deserves, he never thought he'd be lucky enough to have someone who loves him so much.

When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
He knows that he's not perfect and sometimes hurts her feelings.

Her only answer is one little smile,
Despite his occasional blunders, she forgives him quickly and responds with a little smile, which always makes things better.

I can see no other way and no better plan,
He sees no other way forward and no better future without her in his life.

End it all and let her go to some better man;
He's considering ending their relationship and letting her go because he thinks she deserves someone better than him.

But I'm only human, coward at best
He recognizes his weaknesses and how he's being a coward, rather than facing his insecurities.

I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
He's confident that she'll follow him no matter where he goes and stand by his side.

I got a woman crazy for me, She's funny that way.
He has a woman that's head over heels for him, and he considers it funny because he's not used to something like this in his life.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Neil Moret, Richard Whiting

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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