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.
Keep It Up
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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when you disappear we'll probably chalk it up to island time
and not look back upon the way I feel
Jewels you choose to decline: gamma rays, GABA mines
When I'm not wanted here I take a right and drive to 3rd and Pine
And find a guy who'll change the way I feel
But not what it appears - you thought that I was high for all this time
You drill 'til you find blackened pools, blackened minds
When we walk the line we make a vow to celebrate two lives
And not depend upon the way I feel
Not two, but three at a time - each left alone without a way to find
A way to get around the way I feel
It's good to decide
Past the truth, past my time
The lyrics of Martha and The Vandellas's song "Keep It Up" are about the power of music to bring people together and make them feel alive. The song starts with the repeated phrase "Strike it up" encouraging the band to get ready to play. The singer wants the band to play her tune and she wants to tell everyone that nothing will stop her sound. The song then goes on to encourage the listener to move their waist to the bass and not to doubt house music because they have the body to use it.
The song has a positive and uplifting tone, with the repeated phrase "Waiting on my feelings" suggesting that the singer is waiting for the music to take her away and make her feel something. The lyrics are also empowering, with the singer encouraging the listener to use their body and not be afraid to dance.
Overall, the song is an anthem for the power of music to bring people together and make them feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Strike it up, strike it up, strike it up
Get ready to dance and enjoy the music by striking up the band.
You-ooh, you-ooh
The anticipation and excitement of the music is getting under your skin.
Strike it up, this band is gonna play my tune
The band is going to play the perfect song that suits my mood.
Strike it up, I want to, I want to tell you so
I need to express how much I love this music and want to dance to it.
Strike it up, nobody's gonna stop my sound
My love for music is unstoppable and no one can take that away from me.
Strike it up, you know how lonely one can feel
Music can fill the empty spaces and make you feel whole again.
If I have the line and you have the bass
If we work together, we can create an amazing rhythm with our musical talents.
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Once we start playing music together, we can create a perfect beat that will keep everyone dancing.
Line after line going straight to your mind
The music is so good that every note is memorized and taken directly into your brain.
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
We want to create an amped-up atmosphere that will get everyone on their feet and dancing.
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
The rhythm of the bass line is so catchy that it's impossible not to dance along.
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
The flow of the music needs to be smooth and synchronized, so the melody must be essential.
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
Let's show off our musical skills and impress the crowd with our talent.
Cast your doubts about house music
Don't be hesitant to dance to this genre of music, just give it a chance and enjoy it.
You've got the body, so why don't you use it?
Dance is a way to express yourself and show off your body, so don't be afraid to let loose and enjoy yourself.
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
Dance is a natural reaction to good music, so let yourself go and move to the rhythm.
'Cause that's how we pump the dance floor for the strong
By dancing to the music, we energize the whole crowd and create a strong vibe throughout the dance floor.
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
I'm eagerly anticipating the music to start and make me feel something.
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
The music has the power to evoke emotions, and I'm waiting for it to do just that.
Strike it up, your hand is tapping on my skin
The music is so good that it's impossible not to tap along, even if it means tapping on someone's skin.
Strike it up, and keep me, and keep me standing on
The music is keeping me on my feet and energized, even if I feel tired or weak.
You nobody's gonna let you down
Don't let anyone else bring you down or stop you from enjoying the music and dancing.
Strike it up, you know how lovely one can be
The power of music can make us euphoric and filled with love and joy.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Bob Weston, Chris Brokaw, Elisha Wiesner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind