The sound wasn't so different from previous hits such as "The One Who Really Loves You" and "You Beat Me to the Punch" and was a story of a girl who talked about her lover's two sides telling listeners that at one hand her lover is "sweet and kind" and in another breath saying he also "treats me bad and makes me sad" and when the lover is confused by Mary's message, she contends that the "two lovers" are him.
The song charted better than the previous two reaching number-one on the Billboard R&B chart and number seven on the Billboard pop chart becoming her best showing until "My Guy" two years later.
Smokey Robinson who wrote the song, said that it mirrored his feelings toward his wife Claudette.
Personnel
Lead (and additional) background vocal by Mary Wells
Background vocals by the Love Tones
Written and produced by Smokey Robinson
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
----------------------------------------------------------------
Single by Mary Wells
from the album - Two Lovers
B-side - Operator
Released - 1962
Format 7" single
Recorded Hitsville USA; 1962
Genre : Soul
Length 2:45
Label - Motown
M 1035
Writer(s) - Smokey Robinson
Producer - Smokey Robinson
Two Lovers
Mary Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two lovers, and I love them both the same
Let me tell you 'bout my first lover
He's sweet and kind and he's mine, all mine
He treats me good like a lover should
And makes me love him
I really really love him
And I'll do everything I can to let him know
But, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Two lovers, and I love them both the same
Let me tell you 'bout my other lover
Well you know, he treats me bad, makes me sad
Makes me cry, but still I can't deny
That I love him
I really really love him
I love him so (love him so)
And I'll do everything I can to let him know
Darling, well
Don't you know that I can tell
Whenever I look at you
That you think that I'm untrue
'Cause I say that I love two
But I really really do
'Cause you're a split personality (personality)
And in reality (reality)
Both of them are you baby (they both are you)
Well, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Two lovers, and I love them both the same
Two lovers, and I ain't ashamed
The song "Two Lovers" by Mary Wells follows a story of a woman who is in love with two men at the same time. The lyrics describe her two lovers and their different qualities. Her first lover is kind and treats her well while the second lover treats her badly and makes her cry. However, the singer cannot help but love both of them equally. She declares that she loves them both and will do everything in her power to let them know. The last verse addresses a third person, who assumes that the singer is being unfaithful for loving two different people at the same time. The singer, however, claims to have a split personality and that both of her lovers are the same person, referring to the same man.
The lyrics of "Two Lovers" explore the complexity of romantic relationships and human emotions. They suggest that it is possible to love two people at the same time, even if they possess different characteristics. The song's message is relatable, and it resonates with many people who have found themselves in similar situations.
Fact 1: "Two Lovers" was written by Smokey Robinson, who was a songwriter and producer for Motown Records.
Fact 2: Mary Wells performed the song at the Apollo Theater during her first week on tour with Motown.
Fact 3: "Two Lovers" was Mary Wells's third Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Fact 4: The song was released in 1962 as a single and appeared on Wells's second album, "The One Who Really Loves You."
Fact 5: The song was covered by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Diane Birch, and Debbie Harry.
Fact 6: The single's B-side was "Operator," which also charted on the Top 100.
Fact 7: The song's distinctive harmonica riff was performed by musician Marvin Gaye.
Fact 8: The original recording of the song was done in one take.
Fact 9: Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. initially did not like the song but later changed his mind after it became a hit.
Fact 10: In 1963, Mary Wells recorded a French version of the song titled "Deux Amoureux."
Chords: G, Em, C, D.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
I am romantically involved with two people and I am not embarrassed about it
Two lovers, and I love them both the same
I have equal feelings of affection for both of my partners
Let me tell you 'bout my first lover
I will now introduce you to my first partner and describe our relationship
He's sweet and kind and he's mine, all mine
My first lover is loving and devoted to me and our relationship is exclusive
He treats me good like a lover should
My first partner treats me with respect and affection, fulfilling the role of a good lover
And makes me love him
His actions and treatment towards me cause me to feel love for him
I really really love him
My feelings of love for my first partner are strong
I love him so (love him so)
My love for my first partner is intense and consuming
And I'll do everything I can to let him know
I will make a concerted effort to express my love and appreciation to my first partner
But, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Despite having romantic relationships with two people, I still have no shame about it
Let me tell you 'bout my other lover
Now I will introduce you to my second partner and describe our relationship
Well you know, he treats me bad, makes me sad
My second partner is not always kind to me and often causes me emotional distress
Makes me cry, but still I can't deny
Although my second partner can be emotionally abusive, I cannot negate my feelings of love for them
That I love him
I still have feelings of love for my second partner
I really really love him
My feelings of love for my second partner are as strong as for my first
I love him so (love him so)
My love for my second partner is just as intense and consuming as for my first partner
And I'll do everything I can to let him know
I will make an effort to express my love and affection towards my second partner, as well
Darling, well
Addressing my partner, I now say
Don't you know that I can tell
I want to remind my partner that I am aware of their doubt regarding my love
Whenever I look at you
Just by looking at my partner
That you think that I'm untrue
My partner believes that I am unfaithful, or not fully committed to them
'Cause I say that I love two
My admission of loving two people is causing my partner's doubts
But I really really do
I genuinely have feelings of love for both of my partners
'Cause you're a split personality (personality)
I am addressing my partner's dual nature or personalities
And in reality (reality)
In truth or fact
Both of them are you baby (they both are you)
Both of my partners, who I love equally, are you - my split-personality partner
Two lovers, and I ain't ashamed
Reiterating that I am proud of my love for two people
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@domoniqueayers8056
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE AND GREAT
LEGENDARY RECORDING ARTIST
MS. MARY WELLS SHE WAS MOTOWN 1st. RECORDING ARTIST
AND SHE SANG QUITE A #1
BIG HITS FROM BACK IN THE DAY
AND THAT'S WHY I'M OLD SCHOOL
TO MY HEART, & WHY I APPRECIATE
AND VALUE MUSIC OF ALL CULTURES
NOW THIS SONG IS EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE SONG
AS WELL I LOVE & RECALL MOST OF
HER CLASSIC GREAT HITS
"WHAT TWO CAN EASILY DO" WAS
ANOTHER GENUINE HIT & IF I'M
NOT MISTAKEN I THINK IT WAS
IT WAS MOTOWN'S MUSICAL GENUIS
AND VICE PRESIDENT AT THE TIME
THAT WROTE GREAT BIG HIT SONGS
FOR HER AS WELL.
@malcolmmarshall5946
When I was 23, in 1982, I met Mary at her oldies show in Austin Texas. She was a wonderful, beautiful lady, invited me and my gf to sit down and chat with her backstage. I'll never forget her.
@DreamSur13
As a Chicano from SOCAL growing up these songs are a breath of fresh air even now as a older person this music still hits me firme in the heart.
@davideisler1965
She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her eyes were captivating. She had the voice of an Angel. She had such a unique and warm quality to her voice. I wish I could have seen her perform live. I can't get over how she did her hair back then, it was gorgeous. Anyway too bad I don't have a time machine. She was a national treasure. RIP Mary ❤️🙏
@darlenetisdale1641
AS someone stated, she was the Original Queen of Motown.
@ronniebishop2496
I agree
@ronniebishop2496
They actually called her the First Lady of Motown.
@oppothumbs1
Some find her voice thin but she is my favorite singer. In part she has the advance of Smokey Robinson writing her songs.
@juliereminiec4937
Mary wells never should have started smoking
@deltonkillen8024
I'm headed for 70 yrs of age and I have loved this voice since I first heard it. This photo of her says,"I got my eye on you, boy".
@katherinebasurto4511
Yes it sure does. It sure does that’s exactly what she doing