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.
Wild One
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
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Wild one, you're a rebel
And they say you're just no good
But they might change their mind
If they only understood
Wild one, I understand
I know you've never had a chance
You're a victim of circumstance
Can't you see
Just where you stand with me
I've given you my heart
I've given it to you
Don't you know where you go
I will follow you
So fight if you want to
And go where you want to
Be wild as can be
But save your love for me
Save your love for me
Wild one, just let them talk
Be what you want to be
Forget your love for me
And find security
Wild one, you know that in my heart
You're the only one
No matter what you've done
Can't you see
Just here you stand with me
I've given you my heart
I've given you my heart
Don't you know where you go
I will follow you
So fight if you want to
And go where you want to
Be wild as can be
But save your love for me
Save your love for me
The lyrics for Martha and The Vandellas's song "Wild One" speak to the heart of what it means to be a rebel, an outsider, and an individual. The song is a response to criticism that the singer, the "wild one," has faced in her life. Though others might call her "just no good," the singer is not deterred by their comments. Instead, she is defiant and refuses to change who she is at heart. The chorus, "Wild one, you're a rebel," is a declaration of the singer's identity, built on her refusal to conform to society's expectations.
Throughout the song, the singer's strength and resilience are apparent. She has never had a chance to succeed because of her circumstances, but she does not give up hope. Her love for the person singing the song (presumably a lover) is steadfast, and she declares that no matter where she goes, the singer will follow her. The song closes with the plea to "save your love for me," a request that demonstrates the deep connection between the two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild one, wild one
Addressing the person who is a free spirit
Wild one, you're a rebel
Addressing the person as someone who doesn't follow the norm
And they say you're just no good
People see you as unmanageable and incapable of liking anyone other than yourself
But they might change their mind
People can be persuaded to change their view
If they only understood
If people could only appreciate your personality
Wild one, I understand
The singer gets you and supports your independence
I know you've never had a chance
The singer realises you've had a difficult past
You're a victim of circumstance
You've had no choice in what has happened to you in the past
Can't you see
Don't you understand
Just where you stand with me
I am committed to you
I've given you my heart
My feelings for you are sincere
Don't you know where you go
Wherever you go, I'll be right there with you
I will follow you
I will always be there for you
So fight if you want to
Do as you please, even if it means going against societal rules
And go where you want to
Do what you want, follow your dreams, and ambitions
Be wild as can be
Be as free and as spirited as you want
But save your love for me
Remember, I love you and will always be there for you
Wild one, just let them talk
Ignore what people say about you and how they perceive you
Be what you want to be
Do what makes you happy
Forget your love for me
If you fall out of love, move on and find happiness elsewhere
And find security
Find safety or a feeling of safety in whatever makes you happy
Wild one, you know that in my heart
The artist's love for you is genuine
You're the only one
There isn't anyone else the singer loves as much as you
No matter what you've done
Regardless of past mistakes, the artist will always love you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IVY JO HUNTER, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernie Em
What a production this was...rivaling and surpassing Phil Spector's "wall of sound"! Amazing! Motown at it's finest!
Eric Walker
The Funk Brothers. What a group of great session musicians.
Virginia Mariposa Dale
Motown should have been immemorialized; it should have been subsidized by the government; how could anyone let it go under! I LOVE this music! And the Vandellas!
Loz Wright
What do you mean "let it go under" ?
Steven Johnson
Martha, Roz, and Betty were COOKIN on this record!!
Justin "QUAYLE" Pate
WILD ONE and DANCING IN THE STREETS are my favorite from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
James Belkin
Killer drums!
Dave
Wild One & Nowhere To Run are my pics for the best of this group.Shame Motown never gave them the support they deserved.The Government never gave either Motown or Martha Reeves the support either.
Ladylovemm
My God. This song ran through my mind this Sunday morning oct 9, 2022. How???
Ernest Castro
Wild One my favorite Martha and The Vandellas record.