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.
It's the Same Old Song
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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you've gone and left my heart in pain.
All you left is our favorite song, the one we danced to all night long.
It used to bring sweet memories of a tender love that used to be,
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Fool am I to hear a old love song.
And wanna cry but the melody keeps haunting me
reminding me how in love we used to be.
Keep hearing the part that used to touch our heart saying together forever.
Breaking up never, it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Precious memories keep-a lingering on,
ev'rytime I hear our favorite song, now you're gone, left this emptiness,
I only reminisce.
The happiness we spent, we used to dance to the music
make romance to the music,
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now it's the same, same old song,
but with a diff'rent meaning since-a you been gone.
Oh I can't bear to hear it,
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
The song "It's the Same Old Song" by Martha and The Vandellas tells the story of a lover who has left, leaving behind only fond memories and their favorite song. The lyrics convey the pain and confusion caused by the song's changed meaning after the lover's departure. The song was originally released in 1965 and became a hit single, climbing to number five on the U.S. charts.
The first verse opens with the comparison of the lover to a honey bee - something sweet that stings when it leaves. The singer laments that all they have left are memories and their favorite song, which used to bring back happy emotions of their love. However, now the song's lyrics have taken on a different meaning since their lover has gone. Each time they hear the song, it reminds them of the past happiness, but now the lyrics bring pain and heartbreak.
The chorus repeats that sentiment, emphasizing the difference in the song's meaning since their partner has left. The second verse continues with the singer's sadness, describing how they are unable to bear hearing the song anymore without thinking of the past relationship. The final lines repeat the chorus, emphasizing the same message of the song's change in meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet as a honey bee but like a honey bee stings,
You were once sweet like honey, but you hurt me deeply just like a sting from the same bee.
you've gone and left my heart in pain.
You have left me with a broken heart that is still hurting.
All you left is our favorite song, the one we danced to all night long.
The only thing that remains of our happy memories is the song we used to dance together to all night long.
It used to bring sweet memories of a tender love that used to be,
This song used to remind me of our loving and tender relationship.
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
Now when I hear this song, it no longer brings back sweet memories, it only reminds me of the love that has been lost since you left.
Fool am I to hear a old love song.
I am a fool to listen to an old love song that only brings back painful memories.
And wanna cry but the melody keeps haunting me
reminding me how in love we used to be.
The melody of this song keeps haunting me and reminding me of how deeply in love we used to be.
Keep hearing the part that used to touch our heart saying together forever.
Breaking up never, it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
I keep hearing the part of this song that used to remind us of our commitment to stay together forever, but now it only reminds me of the fact that we broke up and that the song has a different and sad meaning since you have been gone.
Precious memories keep-a lingering on,
ev'rytime I hear our favorite song, now you're gone, left this emptiness,
I only reminisce.
Every time our favorite song plays, memories of our precious times together come to mind, but now that you are gone, I am left with emptiness and can only reminisce about those times.
The happiness we spent, we used to dance to the music
make romance to the music,
now it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning
since-a you been gone.
We used to be so happy together: we danced to this song and even made romance to this song, but now it serves as a reminder of the love we lost since you left.
Oh I can't bear to hear it,
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
I can't stand listening to this song anymore because it has a different meaning since you left, and it's too painful for me to bear.
it's the same old song but with a diff'rent meaning since you been gone;
The song remains the same, but the meaning has changed since you left me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind