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.
There He Is
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just can't let him in
Because I know that's when
Heartaches will start again
He keeps on knockin' at my door
There he is
He just came back to hurt me some more
Cause I know he don't really care
Maybe this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he'll stay
But I hate to take that chance
There he is
Of opening that door
Because if I see him again
I know my foolish heart will let him win
Baby, this time he'll say
He's gonna see things my way
So I'm gonna push my pride aside
Put on a great big smile
So he won't know
I've been crying all the while
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
The song "There He Is" is a classic soul ballad from Martha and The Vandellas, released in 1966. From the beginning of the song, we can sense the internal conflict going on in the singer's mind. The singer of the song is visited by her former lover, who she just can't let in. She knows that if he comes back into her life, it will only cause more heartache. However, despite her better judgment, she is tempted by his persistent knocking on her door. The moment she lets him in, she will be giving him the power to hurt her again.
The chorus repeats the line "Maybe this time he'll say he's gonna see things my way," highlighting the inner conflict of the singer. She wants to believe that this time things will be different, but deep down, she knows that he'll just break her heart again if she lets him in. She's struggling to push her feelings aside and put on a brave face, but it's difficult, as she is still crying on the inside. The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever struggled with a toxic relationship, wanting to give in to an unhealthy temptation, but having the strength to resist.
Overall, the song's lyrics are a powerful reflection of love, hope, and heartache. It captures the pain of trying to move on from a past relationship, but ultimately failing. It's a classic example of the Motown sound that made Martha and The Vandellas a hit during the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
There he is at my door
He is at my door, but I am hesitant to let him in.
I just can't let him in
I am unable to let him in due to the fear of facing heartaches.
Because I know that's when
I know that allowing my former lover in will bring back the pain and heartaches.
Heartaches will start again
Allowing him in will cause my heartache to reignite.
He keeps on knockin' at my door
He continues knocking, urging me to let him in.
There he is
He is still waiting outside my door, wanting to come in.
He just came back to hurt me some more
I believe that his return will only cause me more pain and heartache.
I'm tryin' so hard not to hear
I am attempting my level best to block his pleas, so I do not have to face any further heartaches.
Cause I know he don't really care
I know how little he cares about my needs, which only adds to my worry.
Maybe this time he'll say
Perhaps he will change this time and say something different.
He's gonna see things my way
There is a possibility he is going to understand my perspective at last.
And he won't ever stray or ever go away
Maybe he will promise to be more committed this time and never leave again.
Maybe he'll stay
My hopes are that he loves me enough to stay committed to me.
But I hate to take that chance
I am worried about taking the chance of letting him in, given my past heartaches.
Of opening that door
The thought of opening the door for him fills me with hesitation.
Because if I see him again
I worry that seeing him again will reopen old wounds and cause anguish.
I know my foolish heart will let him win
My heart still loves him, and it can lead me into a trap leading to more heartbreak.
So I'm gonna push my pride aside
I am ready to put a brave face on and push aside my personal reservations for the sake of my love for him.
Put on a great big smile
I will smile as if everything's alright, even when it's not, to show him that things can be different this time around.
So he won't know
I want to keep my true feelings hidden to give him a chance without my reservations.
I've been crying all the while
I have been hurt by him before, and have been crying over that hurt.
Baby, baby, baby, walk on in
I want him to come in, despite my reservations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, FREDDIE GORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind