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.
Just One Look
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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In love with you uh oh uh oh
I found out how good it feels
To have your love uh oh uh oh
Say you will, will be mine
Forever and always uh oh uh oh
Just one look and I knew
That you were my only one uh oh uh oh
I thought I was dreaming but I was wrong
Yeah yeah yeah
Oh but ah I'm gonna keep on scheming
'Til I can ah make you, make you my own
So you see I really care
Without you I'm nothing uh oh uh oh
Just one look and I know
I'll get you someday uh oh uh oh
Just one look, that's all it took
The lyrics to Martha and The Vandellas's song Just One Look express the great impact one glance can have on the heart. The singer describes having an instant attraction to someone when she looks at them, falling deeply in love with them. She goes on to say that having their love in her life makes her feel wonderful and happy. The singer implores her love interest to be with her forever and always. She believes that this person is the only one for her and that she must do everything in her power to make them hers.
The singer admits that she initially thought she was dreaming to have found someone so perfect for her, but it turns out she wasn't. She is determined to keep pursuing this person until she can make them her own. The singer emphasizes that this person means everything to her and that she is nothing without them. She believes that someday she will be with them, and everything will be perfect.
Overall, the lyrics to Just One Look describe how love can happen instantly when two people lock eyes. The singer is so taken with her love interest that she is willing to do whatever it takes to be with them, emphasizing how much they mean to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Just one look and I fell so hard
As soon as I caught a glimpse of you, I felt deeply captivated
In love with you uh oh uh oh
I am completely and totally in love with you
I found out how good it feels
I have discovered the incredible sensation that comes with being loved by you
To have your love uh oh uh oh
There is nothing I want more than to be loved by you
Say you will, will be mine
Please promise me that you will be mine and commit to loving me
Forever and always uh oh uh oh
For an eternity, my heart will belong to you
Just one look and I knew
At first sight, I knew you were destined to be mine
That you were my only one uh oh uh oh
Out of everyone in the world, I know that you are the only one for me
I thought I was dreaming but I was wrong
Initially, I believed that my feelings for you weren't real, but I was mistaken
Yeah yeah yeah
An expression of affirmation or enthusiasm
Oh but ah I'm gonna keep on scheming
I am determined to devise a plan to capture your heart
'Til I can ah make you, make you my own
Until I can win your affection and make you mine forever
So you see I really care
I hope that you can perceive the depth of my feelings for you
Without you I'm nothing uh oh uh oh
My life would be empty and unfilled without your love
Just one look and I know
I don't need a second glance to recognize that you are my soulmate
I'll get you someday uh oh uh oh
At some point, I am certain that I will win your heart and make you mine
Just one look, that's all it took
A single glance from you was enough to steal my heart and leave me longing for more
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DORIS PAYNE, GREGORY CARROLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind