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.
I'll Have to Let Him Go
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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& I made up in my mind that very night
I've got to let him go, I've got to set him free
Even though I let him go, he's still a part of me
Oh now I know, yes I know there's someone he's thinkin' of
I'll have to let him go with all my love
I saw him (I saw him) but he didn't see me (but he didn't see me)
Oh it hurt me so inside, so much he'll never know
I'll simply hide my pride & I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Mmm I've got to let him go (let him go)
(Let him go) Move on, move on! my heart cries
(Let him go) Find yourself another; let him be
Oh (let him go) he's better off without me
(Let him go) This I know
My only wish is to make him happy, oh
I've got to say goodbye (got to say goodbye)
I've got to say so long (got to say so long)
Even though the years roll by, my love will carry on
Oh I must not tear his soul; surely he must know
That it's gonna hurt me so
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Yeah, it's gonna hurt me so
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
I've got to say so long (let him go)
It's gonna hurt me so (say goodbye)
But I've got to say goodbye
...& fade
"I'll Have to Let Him Go" is a soulful song by Martha and The Vandellas that is about a woman who has to let go of a man she loves. The lyrics capture the emotions of heartbreak and decision-making that come with the end of a relationship. The song starts with the singer seeing her man kiss and hold another woman, and in that moment, she realizes she must let him go. While she still loves him, she knows it's not meant to be, and she has to set him free to find someone else. The chorus repeats the phrase, "I've got to let him go," emphasizing the struggle she's going through.
The second verse describes how the singer watched her man with the other woman, tears filling her eyes, not knowing how much it hurt her. She decides to hide her pride and move on, but her heart still cries out to him. The bridge conveys her desire for him to be happy, even though that means being without her. The final verse is about saying goodbye, knowing that it will hurt, but carrying on with a love that will remain despite the separation.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw him kiss another & watched him hold her tight
While watching him kiss and hold another woman tightly, I realized that I have come to the conclusion that I must let him go.
& I made up in my mind that very night
On that same night, I made a decision to myself.
I've got to let him go, I've got to set him free
I have to release him from my grasp and let him go.
Even though I let him go, he's still a part of me
Even though I let him go, thoughts and memories of him still linger within me.
Oh now I know, yes I know there's someone he's thinkin' of
I now know, without a doubt that he is thinking of someone else.
I'll have to let him go with all my love
I have to let him go, while still loving him with all my heart.
I saw him (I saw him) but he didn't see me (but he didn't see me)
I saw him, but he was not aware of my presence.
The tears just filled my eyes when he kissed her tonight
I couldn't help but cry when I witnessed him kissing her that night.
Oh it hurt me so inside, so much he'll never know
The pain I felt inside was indescribable, and he will never fully comprehend my pain.
I'll simply hide my pride & I'll have to let him go (let him go)
I will suppress my pride and have to bid him farewell.
Mmm I've got to let him go (let him go)
I must let him go, it's the only way forward.
(Let him go) Move on, move on! my heart cries
My heart pleads with me to move on and let him go.
(Let him go) Find yourself another; let him be
I must find someone else for myself and let him be with someone he loves.
Oh (let him go) he's better off without me
He will be much happier without me in his life.
(Let him go) This I know
Without any doubt, I know deep down that I have to let him go.
My only wish is to make him happy, oh
My only desire is for him to be happy.
I've got to say goodbye (got to say goodbye)
It's time for me to say goodbye.
I've got to say so long (got to say so long)
I must part, and say farewell.
Even though the years roll by, my love will carry on
Although time passes, my love for him will persist.
Oh I must not tear his soul; surely he must know
I should not break his heart; he must understand that I have to let him go.
That it's gonna hurt me so
It will pain me so much to let him go.
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Despite the pain, I must let him go.
Yeah, it's gonna hurt me so
Yes, it will hurt severely to let him go.
But I'll have to let him go (let him go)
Nonetheless, I must let him go.
I've got to say so long (let him go)
It's time for me to say goodbye and let him go.
It's gonna hurt me so (say goodbye)
It will cause immense pain to say goodbye.
But I've got to say goodbye
Nevertheless, I must say goodbye.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katsuhiro Seto
よく耳を澄ませると各楽器の音色が際立って美しい。60年代によくこんなテクニックがあったもんだと感心する。Very nice arrangement. I like the rhythm of the drums.
Rupert Daley - Fast Soul (60s & 70s)
Great tune ✔
Cory
it does sound like an alternate take. i believe the back-up vocals are louder on this take than on others.
R. Jackson
That was a practice at Motown. They had a couple versions of a song out at the same time.
Leonard Goodwin
BEAUTIFUL GIRL GROUP!!! THNX FOR KINDLY SHARING NICE POST!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!
Tika Rai
so beautifull songs I loved all the marvelettsband
caroline tchoumou-gangwet
merveilleuses et puissante,
cari Lavin
ill have to set him free even tho i let him go hes still a part of me
Mia Wallace
sooo great
bill smallwood
Sounds like a perfect song for Mary Wells..........