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.
My Baby Love Me
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby needs me, oh yeah
No other guy can whisper sweet things in my ear
My sweetie pie has the only sweet voice I sweet hear
So clear, so yeah
He needs me (he really really needs me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
My baby loves me (he really really loves me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
Can't seem to see no other handsome face
There's just no cute substitute can take my baby's place
'Cause I know he needs me (he really really needs me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
I'll never ever give my baby no trouble
Whenever he calls me, I come runnin' on the double
'Cause I know he loves me (he really really loves me)
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
And he needs me (he really really needs me)
Yes he does (oh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Now nobody can tell me a place where I'm goin' wrong, oh no
Nobody could ever embrace a lover so strong
'Cause I know he loves me, he tells me that he needs me
I know he loves me, can't be without me, oh no
The song "My Baby Loves Me" by Martha and The Vandellas is a soulful declaration of love from the singer to her partner. The lyrics communicate the extent to which she is loved and needed by her lover, emphasizing that there is nobody who can take his place, and no other sweet voice that she can hear. The repetition of the phrases "he really really needs me" and "he really really loves me" serves to reinforce the message of unconditional love and devotion.
The singer expresses her willingness to do whatever it takes to make her partner happy, promising to never give him any trouble and to always be there for him whenever he needs her. She feels secure in the knowledge that nobody can criticize her or find fault in their relationship, and nobody could ever match the intensity of their love.
Overall, the song is a joyful celebration of the depth of feeling between two people and the importance of mutual love and respect in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby loves me, oh yeah
My significant other cares for me very deeply
My baby needs me, oh yeah
My significant other heavily relies on me
No other guy can whisper sweet things in my ear
No one can flatter me the way my partner can
My sweetie pie has the only sweet voice I sweet hear
My partner's voice is the most comforting and pleasant to me
So clear, so yeah
Very obvious and true
He needs me (he really really needs me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
My partner has an intense need for me in their life
I'm tellin' you he needs me (he really really needs me) yes he does (oh yeah)
I'm emphasizing how much my partner relies on me
Can't seem to see no other handsome face
I'm not attracted to anyone else
There's just no cute substitute can take my baby's place
No one else can compare to my partner
'Cause I know he needs me (he really really needs me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
I'm confident in my partner's strong need for me
I'll never ever give my baby no trouble
I'll always be supportive and reliable for my partner
Whenever he calls me, I come runnin' on the double
I'm always available to help my partner
'Cause I know he loves me (he really really loves me) oh yeah (oh yeah)
I'm confident in my partner's strong feelings for me
And he needs me (he really really needs me) yes he does (oh yeah)
My partner relies on me heavily
Now nobody can tell me a place where I'm goin' wrong, oh no
I'm confident in my relationship and don't want any criticism
Nobody could ever embrace a lover so strong
My partner's love for me is unmatched
I know he loves me, can't be without me, oh no
My partner needs me in their life to be happy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GRETCHEN PETERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@swt32567
Martha Reeves & The Lovely Vandellas. The male background singers on this hit were none other than Motown's own 4-Tops. Never again will we see as much talent @ one record company as Motown had back in the 60's. This is not R&B. This is SOUL music. Music for the Soul from the Soul.
@phylis3917
You know I THOUGHT it was them!
@realdeal7521
@@phylis3917 Wow I didn't know that. Thanks for passing that along good to know.
@tonyswan7389
Pure GOLD
@russbates937
It's not actually the Vandellas. It's Martha backed by the superb Andantes alongside the Tops.
@Legoairborne101
man... nothing makes me feel like everythings gonna turn out alright like that first opening piano line. I hear it and immediately feel at home. I feel cool. I feel collected. I feel warm. Even if you don't have a baby of your own this song makes you feel the love. Man, thats what its all about. Every last bit of it.
@umste2624
you said it perfectly....*e
@charlescoleman6777
I thought I was the only one feeling that feeling!😂👏🏾👨🏾🦳🎶💕
@phylis3917
Yes. That percussion and then as you say. 😘
@mikepolyak6120
This reminds me my teenage years. Also ex girlfriends so cool. I'm 75 now & feeling cool