"Jimmy Mack" was the final Top 10 hit for the Vandellas in the United States, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and at #1 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
The song, with lead vocal by Vandellas' lead singer Martha Reeves, is narrated by a woman who longs for her boyfriend, named "Jimmy Mack", to return to her. The narrator is being courted by another suitor, whom she notes "talks just as sweet as" her long-gone Jimmy, and hopes for him to return before her resistance is worn down.
The inspiration for this song came from a 1964 music industry awards dinner, which Lamont Dozier attended. At the ceremony the mother of the songwriter Ronnie Mack accepted an award for her son, who had recently died, for his composition He's So Fine. Under pressure to come up with a hit for Reeves and the Vandellas, Dozier and the team penned this song in part a tribute to Mack the writer.
"Jimmy Mack" was originally recorded in 1964 when Annette Beard was still a part of the group. The song was shelved because the Motown Quality Control team felt the recording was not suitable for release with the Vietnam War going on. Like Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' later hit, "The Tears of a Clown", "Jimmy Mack" was pulled from the vault two years later and released as a single in early 1967.
By that time, the Vietnam War had become a highly debated issue among the American public. Thus, Reeves' sentiment that her "Jimmy Mack" return took on a different meaning for many listeners, particularly those stationed overseas.
"Jimmy Mack" was a success, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the second and final Vandellas single to top the Billboard R&B chart. The song had been included on the Vandellas' LP Watchout!, issued a month before the single release. For nearly forty years, "Jimmy Mack" was presented in either monaural sound or in a mix culled from an alternate take. A true stereo mix of the original single master was not done until 2006, for the compilation Martha & the Vandellas: Gold.
Jimmy Mack
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
Jimmy Mack Jimmy,
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
My arms are missing you,
My lips feel the same way too
I tried so hard to be true, like I promised to do
He's tryin' to wear my resistance down
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, Jimmy, oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Now he calls me on the phone about three times a day
Now my heart doesn't listen to, what he has to say
But this loneliness I have within
Reaching out to be his friend
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, Jimmy, oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
I just need your loving, need your loving, yeah, yeah
I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger
I can't hold out very much longer
Trying hard, to be true
But Jimmy, he talks just as sweet as you
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin' back
Jimmy, can't you hear me, Jimmy
Oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
I just need your loving, need your loving
Hey, oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back
Hey, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Oh, I'm not getting any stronger, I can't hold out very much longer
The song Jimmy Mack by Martha and The Vandellas was released in 1967 as a single and became a top 10 hit on US and UK charts. The lyrics are about a woman named Jimmy Mack who is waiting for her lover, Jimmy Mack, to return to her. She expresses her longing for him and her struggle to resist the advances of another man who is trying to win her affection in Jimmy's absence. The chorus, consisting of the repetition of the name "Jimmy Mack" and the phrase "when are you coming back," serves as an emotional plea for Jimmy's return.
The lyrics of this song reflect a common theme in soul music of the 1960s, which was the longing for love and companionship. However, the song also reflects the social changes that were taking place during this time. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, and many African Americans were calling for an end to racial discrimination and segregation. The song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle for equality, with Jimmy Mack representing the hope for a better future.
Interestingly, the song was recorded in 1964, but it was not released until 1967. The delay was due in part to the fact that lead singer Martha Reeves was recovering from a car accident and was unable to record the song until later. In addition, the song was held back because the record label, Motown, was focusing on promoting other artists such as The Supremes.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy Mack Jimmy
Repetitive call for Jimmy Mack's attention.
Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back
Asking Jimmy Mack when he will return.
My arms are missing you,
Feeling the absence of Jimmy Mack.
My lips feel the same way too
Longing for Jimmy Mack's touch.
I tried so hard to be true, like I promised to do
Staying loyal to Jimmy Mack despite temptation.
But this guy keeps comin' around
An undesired person is pursuing her.
He's tryin' to wear my resistance down
The other guy is making it hard to stay faithful.
Hey, Jimmy, Jimmy
Calling out to Jimmy Mack again.
Now he calls me on the phone about three times a day
The other guy won't leave her alone.
Now my heart doesn't listen to, what he has to say
Ignoring the other guy's advances.
But this loneliness I have within
Feeling lonely without Jimmy Mack.
Reaching out to be his friend
Desiring to reconnect with Jimmy Mack.
I just need your loving, need your loving, yeah, yeah
Expressing her need for Jimmy Mack's love.
I wanna say I'm not getting any stronger
Admitting her struggle to resist temptation.
I can't hold out very much longer
Feeling like she is giving in soon.
Trying hard, to be true
Continuing to fight temptation.
But Jimmy, he talks just as sweet as you
The other guy is using charming words to win her over.
Jimmy, can't you hear me, Jimmy
Calling out to Jimmy Mack again with more urgency.
Oh, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Wishing for Jimmy Mack to return quickly.
I just need your loving, need your loving
Repeating her desire for Jimmy Mack's love.
Hey, oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back
Asking Jimmy Mack to come back again.
Hey, Jimmy Mack, you better hurry back
Encouraging Jimmy Mack to come back soon.
Oh, I'm not getting any stronger, I can't hold out very much longer
Repeating her struggle to resist temptation and longing for Jimmy Mack's return.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ronald8780
How did we ever get away from great music like this?
@elosasanchez1243
The music today stinks . The music back then actually had lyrics that made sense . I don't like the music they play today and the 60's and 70's I love and probably always will.
@timmyporter359
probably because 8 crazy nights....
@josephnatoli3935
1:22. Woke progressive morons!
This is what I call music.
Amen.❤
@VickiHillyard
@@elosasanchez1243l
@numbnuts511
One of my wifes favourite ,I bought this for her in our courting days .she used to change the "Mack" bit to my surname. She passed away very recently.I love you ,I miss you. Jimmy xxxxxxx
@BOBLLASHRAM
We all feel the same don't we? This song gives me goose bumps when I hear it just like loads of that Motown stuff. It brings back so many memories of the times when music was just fabulous!
@Realmusiclover1957
We were lucky to be born at the time we were born to witness the greatest music in the history of the world.
@cajayson8301
Amazing, underrated song. Wish they still played this on radio today...such a classic dance hit
@neilhunter495
They do constantly on absolute and smooth radio.