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.
Running and Hiding
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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Why don't you come get it
This is your own tail
Why don't you come get it
You say you love me
And we'll be together
You say be patient
Must I wait forever
But when I want you
You're nowhere around
And when I feel the need
You can't be found
Just like a circus
And we're the clowns
I'm chasing, you're running
I'm battling, you're punning
You can't find love running and hiding
You can't find love running and hiding
I can give you love
I never gave before
Let me be the love
You've been searching
You say you love me
And we'll be together
We say be patient
Must I wait forever
Sitting here alone
You're nowhere around
Called you on the phone
You can't be found
Anticipation's getting me down
I'm chasing, you're running
I'm waiting, you're not coming
You can't find love running and hiding
You can't find love running and hiding
One thing keeps me holding on
I know when the gear is gone
You will run to bring your love to me
You will run to bring your love to me
You will run to bring your love to me"
The lyrics of "Running and Hiding" by Martha and the Vandellas vividly explore the emotional complexities of love, longing, and the frustration that often accompanies them. At the outset, the singer presents a straightforward plea that epitomizes the paradox of desire and unavailability. The repeated question “Why don’t you come get it?” serves to highlight a sense of urgency and directness that is often lost in relationships where one partner plays hard to get. The insistent nature of this request underscores a persistent yearning for connection, yet it is juxtaposed with a feeling of abandonment and confusion as the singer reveals her partner's lack of presence despite their professed love.
As the song progresses, the contrast between words and actions becomes increasingly prominent. The assertion that “you say you love me” is followed by the sentiments of waiting and frustration, painting a picture of love that is conditional or inconsistent. The metaphor of running and hiding suggests a game of cat and mouse, where love feels more like a pursuit than a partnership. The imagery of a circus, implying chaos and perhaps artifice, indicates a performance of love that fails to translate into authentic emotion. The singer becomes both the pursuer and the victim in this drama, further emphasizing the emotional turmoil inherent in the relationship. The motivations of the partner remain obscured, leading the singer to grapple with feelings of helplessness and confusion.
The chorus reinforces the core theme of the song: “You can’t find love running and hiding.” This refrain encapsulates the futility of evading love and the idea that genuine connection cannot be formed when one partner is disengaged or elusive. The repetition of this line adds to its significance, acting as a sort of warning that love demands presence and vulnerability. The urgency in the lyrics serves as a reminder that love is iterative—it requires engagement and a willingness to face fears and uncertainties together. The singer’s experiences evoke a sense of melancholy as she reflects on how love is supposed to feel, yet is trapped in a cycle of anticipation and disappointment.
In the concluding verses, a glimmer of hope emerges, suggesting that the relationship may yet have the capacity for transformation. The line “one thing keeps me holding on” reveals a flicker of optimism amidst the sadness, signaling the singer’s belief in eventual reconciliation. The anticipation that her partner will “run to bring your love to me” introduces a theme of resilience and the idea that love, despite its trials, possesses the potential for redemption. Overall, these lyrics encapsulate the essence of love's complexities—its ability to inspire profound joy and deep sorrow—with a powerful message about the necessity of presence, honesty, and commitment in fostering a genuine connection. The expert blend of longing and hope leaves the listener reflecting on their own experiences of love, making the song both relatable and poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want my love
Should you desire my affection
Why don't you come get it
Why not come forward to embrace it?
This is your own tail
This is your own situation to address
Why don't you come get it
Why not take action to obtain it?
You say you love me
You profess your love for me
And we'll be together
And you promise we will be united
You say be patient
You advise me to remain calm
Must I wait forever
Am I to endure endless waiting?
But when I want you
However, in my moments of longing for you
You're nowhere around
You seem to be absent completely
And when I feel the need
And at times when I deeply desire your presence
You can't be found
You are elusive and unreachable
Just like a circus
It feels chaotic and disorganized, similar to a circus
And we're the clowns
We find ourselves in silly and frustrating roles
I'm chasing, you're running
I pursue you, while you evade me
I'm battling, you're punning
I am struggling to reach you, and you respond with jokes or evasions
You can't find love running and hiding
Love cannot be discovered while avoiding and evading it
You can't find love running and hiding
One cannot discover lasting affection by retreating from it
I can give you love
I am capable of offering you profound love
I never gave before
A love that I have yet to share in the past
Let me be the love
Allow me to be the source of love for you
You've been searching
As you have been on a quest for true affection
You say you love me
You assert your love for me again
And we'll be together
And you re-confirm our eventual union
We say be patient
We both echo the need for patience
Must I wait forever
Am I destined to wait indefinitely once more?
Sitting here alone
I find myself in solitude once again
You're nowhere around
You continue to be absent from my side
Called you on the phone
I attempted to reach you through a call
You can't be found
You remain unreachable and distant
Anticipation's getting me down
The suspense of waiting is beginning to weigh heavily on me
I'm chasing, you're running
I continue to pursue while you slip away
I'm waiting, you're not coming
I remain in expectation, yet you do not arrive
You can't find love running and hiding
Affection cannot be grasped when one is in retreat
You can't find love running and hiding
Real love will escape one who evades it
One thing keeps me holding on
There is one thought that strengthens my resolve
I know when the gear is gone
I understand that when circumstances change
You will run to bring your love to me
You will eventually rush back to deliver your affection
You will run to bring your love to me
You will hurry back to share your love once again
You will run to bring your love to me
You will come forth and present your love to me in time
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IVY JO HUNTER, IAN GEOFFREY LEVINE, STEVEN CRAIG WAGNER, CRAIG WAGNER STEVEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tarantulisimo
Martha Reeves - Lead vocals
Rosalind Ashford & Betty Kelly - background vocals
The Funk Brothers - All instruments
Benny Benjamin: drums
James Jamerson: bass guitar
Earl Van Dyke: Wurlitzer electric piano
Jack Ashford: percussion, tambourine, vibes
Ivy Jo Hunter: Detroit snow chains
Robert White: guitar
Eddie Willis: guitar
Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland, Jr. - songwriters
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland - producers
@markplane5994
I start Spring Cleaning tomorrow and my stereo is going to get abused with Martha, Aretha, Motown and Northern Soul.( if you are familiar with the Northern Soul Genre) Nothing under 50 years old and I am going to literally shake the house as I clean (unless I blow my speakers, which would be a really bad day) Don't know about my hips being loosened, but I could have very well dislocated them by the end of the day. lol.
If you are not from the UK, have a look at this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul
Here is a quick preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TEyxwXIRPs&list=PLfMaV_DTTyta-hFFXFtw0OyeNqRUfOx9x&index=3
@leesher1845
The best Motown tunes ever. Great lyrics, great orchestration, great musicians, and of course great vocalists.
@oldermusiclover
the Funks could make Micky Mouse sound good
@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932
Oh yes!
@trademark1874
Jack Ashford on the tambourine right here!!!
@andrewbetsargis92
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus Christ loves you all!❤✝
@hiddenpandacapital6990
Behind every good singer / vocalist / Motown group was ..... THE FUNK BROTHERS !
@kdiamonds
No matter where I am or what I'm doing, whenever this song comes on I get emotional and goosebumps, unfailingly. Can't explain. Great song
@KittyKat-bf8bk
Climate change is not helping. I know this song is about love, but the refrain has gotten to be right haunting.
@kdiamonds
@@KittyKat-bf8bk never thought about it like that, you're right though, to be fair you can also say the say about Judgement Day etc., But it's a love song, just listen to it for what it is I think that's best
@bridget1780
Yeo. I just get up and dance!