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 Promise To Wait My Love
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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With a love that's weak and a heart that sadly yearns
Yearns because you've left me all alone and blue
And to another I know I just can't be true
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
The love you're sharin' now is not as real as mine
Her love is like a diamond only worth a dime
But my love for you is strictly genuine
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
How I miss you; I long to hear you call my name
And since you've been gone, baby,
You don't think this ain't been the same, no
I promise to wait, my love, right here till you return
With arms that want you, baby, & flames that forever burn
I cry for your tender love & ever-lovin' kiss
And your tight embrace is what I really miss
I know that you'll come back home
But hurry up, don't take so long
'Cause I love you, need you
Even though you've done me wrong
Gonna stay right here, my love; ain't goin' away
Gonna wait for you, baby
The lyrics of Martha and The Vandellas's song "I Promise To Wait My Love" express a woman's love and devotion to her partner despite him leaving her alone and blue. She promises to wait for him until he finds that the love he's sharing with someone else is not as genuine as hers. The love that she has for him is strictly unfeigned, and even though he has done her wrong, she still loves and needs him. Throughout the song, she yearns for his tender love, ever-loving kiss, and tight embrace that she desperately misses in his absence.
The song is a classic example of the Motown sound that was popular during the 1960s. Martha and The Vandellas were known for their upbeat, danceable tracks, but this song shows a different side of the band that could be both soulful and passionate. The lead vocals of the song are filled with emotion and showcase Martha Reeves' impressive vocal range.
One possible interpretation of the song is that the woman is struggling to move on from a relationship that has broken her heart. Despite her partner's infidelity, she chooses to hold on to the hope that he will return and they can be together again. It is a bittersweet sentiment that captures the pain of unrequited love and the hope that springs eternal.
Overall, "I Promise To Wait My Love" is a poignant and moving love song that showcases the depth of emotion that Motown music is known for.
Line by Line Meaning
I promise to wait, my love, right here till you return
I vow to remain in this place until you come back to me
With a love that's weak and a heart that sadly yearns
My love for you may be frail but my heart aches deeply for your return
Yearns because you've left me all alone and blue
I long for you because you left me feeling abandoned and melancholic
And to another I know I just can't be true
I acknowledge that I can't be loyal to anyone else but you
I know that you'll come back home
I am certain that you will return to me
But hurry up, don't take so long
Please don't prolong your absence any further
'Cause I love you, need you
Because I love and need you deeply
Even though you've done me wrong
Despite the fact that you have hurt me
Until you finally find
Until you come across
The love you're sharin' now is not as real as mine
The love you are currently sharing with someone else is not as genuine as the love I have for you
Her love is like a diamond only worth a dime
The affection she has for you is trivial compared to mine
But my love for you is strictly genuine
However, my love for you is entirely authentic
How I miss you; I long to hear you call my name
I miss you terribly and yearn to hear you speak my name
And since you've been gone, baby,
Since you left me
You don't think this ain't been the same, no
Things have not been the same without you
With arms that want you, baby, & flames that forever burn
My arms are craving for you, my love, and my passion for you never fades away
I cry for your tender love & ever-lovin' kiss
I cry because I miss your gentle love and your passionate kiss
And your tight embrace is what I really miss
I long for your tight hug the most
Gonna stay right here, my love; ain't goin' away
I am not leaving this place, my love; I will stay and wait for you
Gonna wait for you, baby
I will wait for you, my dear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN STORY, BILLIE JEAN BROWN, GEORGE GORDY, MARGARET JOHNSON-GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BIGBOTTOM32
James Jamerson groovin hard as usual!
@TheVinylRestorationProject
Love the 'immediacy' of this 'true stereo' master. A refreshing 'dry mix' where the sound is tight with just the right amount of reverb, not washed out when you have too much of it, which was so common back then. Listen to the expert detail noted in the vocals, particularly Reeves, when she 'amps it up', but also in the instrumentation, as well. Man, could Reeves 'lay down a vocal track'. And I love how there is just enough 'heft' down below to help 'prop up' the sound, bolster it, if you will, to help give it that full-bodied and well-rounded fullness and richness, while not overpowering the sound. But in addition, it also adds just the right amount of impact to the sound. Excellent recording production. Very sweet.
But also, ........Dude! Nice upload quality and digital translation and presentation for YouTube! Really comes across well. Thanks for posting.
@jackignatius
I call this bawling guitar. Total great production. And very unique, then and now.
@Knifymoloko
Love the production quality of the (G)olden days.
@TheVinylRestorationProject
The Funk Brothers