The group signed to Motown Records, but weren't given top priority, as other female vocal groups were attracting audiences and recording hits. While the group awaited their chance at stardom, they recorded backing vocals for more established Motown girl groups, including The Marvelettes, Martha & The Vandellas, and The Supremes.
The Velvelettes got their break in 1964 with "Needle In A Haystack" which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-1964. The group recorded its follow-up, "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'", and spent time on various Motown-sponsored tours as an opening act.
With a song on the charts and a place on several concert tours, The Velvelettes began recording an album. Despite burgeoning success, the members of the group began to disagree about the music they were recording. Half wanted to record more mature songs and thought the material was trite, while the other half didn't want to rock the boat so early in their career.
Motown became apprehensive about the group's potential, and wary of the expense of the recordings. Not wanting to let good time and money go to waste, the label released two additional singles, "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird In The Hand," as the group endured several line-up changes. Both singles flopped, and Motown cancelled the scheduled release of the group's eponymous debut album.
The last Velvelettes recordings included "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," which became their last American single. They officially broke up in early to mid 1970.
The group reunited in 1984, when the Gill sisters and Barbee cousins re-recorded their original hits with some new songs for the album One Door Closes. The group continues to tour today.
A Bird In The Hand
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But another guy offers you a better life
Right away you start to swoon
Because he offers you the moon
Tell me, is riches worth more than love & affection?
Don't be steered in the wrong direction 'cause
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush)
So hold onto what you've got
You're just losin' a love that's true
For a love that might last a day or 2
Why gamble when you have what you need?
You might be losing everything, girls
The grass looks greener on the other side
But you just might be taken for a ride 'cause
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush)
So hold onto what you've got
(instrumental)
Come on & tell me, is riches worth more than love & affection?
Don't be steered in the wrong direction 'cause
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush)
So hold onto what you've got
Just as sure as the wind will blow
Fellas will come & fellas will go
Makin' promises they vow to keep
But chances are you'll be left to weep, girls
So if you have a guy that's good to you
Hold on tight, it's the thing to do, 'cause
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush)
So hold onto what you've got
(repeat & fade):
Hold on, hold on girls
'Cause a bird in the hand is worth in the bush now
The Velvelettes's song "A Bird In The Hand" is a song that speaks to the intricacies of love and relationships. The song's central theme is the idea of not giving up something good for the promise of something better, which may not even be certain. In the first verse, the lyrics caution against choosing wealth over affection, even if someone else might seemingly offer a better life. The phrase "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" is repeated throughout the song, reminding the listener to hold on to what they have rather than take a risk on something unknown.
The song's second verse further emphasizes this message, suggesting that the grass often seems greener on the other side, but taking a chance on that greener grass may ultimately lead to disappointment. The instrumental break allows for reflection before the chorus is repeated twice more, emphasizing the importance of holding on.
In essence, the song is a warning against chasing after fleeting promises, especially when they might jeopardize something good and stable that is already in one's life. The lyrics are delivered with a sense of urgency, and the lively melody of the song serves to make the message all the more memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls, when you've got a good love who's gonna treat you right
Ladies, when you find a man who treats you well and loves you, and does everything that satisfies you.
But another guy offers you a better life
However, another man comes along and offers you a better life.
Right away you start to swoon
Immediately, you become excited and overwhelmed with emotions.
Because he offers you the moon
This is because he makes the promise to give you everything you could ever desire.
Tell me, is riches worth more than love & affection?
Ask yourself, is it more valuable to have wealth or to be loved and feel emotionally connected?
Don't be steered in the wrong direction 'cause
Don't be led down the wrong path because
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
Remember ladies, it's better to have something that is certain than to gamble for something that is uncertain.
So hold onto what you've got
Therefore, hold on tight to what you already have.
You're just losin' a love that's true
You are losing a true love,
For a love that might last a day or 2
For a love that might only last a short period of time.
Why gamble when you have what you need?
Why take a risk when you already have everything you need?
You might be losing everything, girls
You might end up losing everything, ladies.
The grass looks greener on the other side
The other option may seem better or more tempting,
But you just might be taken for a ride 'cause
But you may end up being tricked or deceived because
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
It's better to hold onto what you already have because that is certain.
So hold onto what you've got
Therefore, hold tight to what you already have.
Come on & tell me, is riches worth more than love & affection?
Ask yourself, is it worth giving up love and emotional connection for the sake of riches?
Don't be steered in the wrong direction 'cause
Don't be led down the wrong path because
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
Remember ladies, something that is certain is better than something that is uncertain.
So hold onto what you've got
Therefore, hold on tight to what you already have.
Just as sure as the wind will blow
Just as sure as the wind will always blow,
Fellas will come & fellas will go
Men will come and go in your life.
Makin' promises they vow to keep
They will make promises that they intend to keep.
But chances are you'll be left to weep, girls
However, chances are they will still leave you crying and sad, ladies.
So if you have a guy that's good to you
Therefore, if you have a man who treats you well,
Hold on tight, it's the thing to do, 'cause
Hold on tightly to him because
(A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush) remember girls
It's better to hold onto something that is certain than to risk it all for something that is uncertain.
So hold onto what you've got
Therefore, hold on tightly to what you already have.
(repeat & fade):
Repeat the chorus and fade out.
Hold on, hold on girls
Hold on tightly, ladies.
'Cause a bird in the hand is worth in the bush now
Because it's better to hold onto something that is certain than to risk for something that is uncertain.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind