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.
I
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kind of love that you read about in a fairy tale
Like the sun that shines on a rainy day, its a cloud of love
One of a kind love affair is
When your down is up, when your up is down
But love stays around
And when you know you're right, but you got to make a little sacrifice
You make it for love
I never thought about today would come
When she would leave without good-bye, yes, sir.
She wrote a line or two upon the wall
Said, I'm leaving you, know I love you too
I can't stay with you
And this very day, I could never say a discouraging word
'Cause I love you
Who-oh-oh-oh, yes, siree, now
(One of a kind) love affair is
When you hate to say girl I told you so, but you gotta go
There won't be a fight, 'cause your love is right
But you're leaving wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
(One of a kind) ooh (love affair is) Ooh yeah
When you treat her nice but you finally have to pay the price
And though you know you're right
But you got to make a little sacrifice
You make it for love
You make it for love
Yeah-heh-heh-heh
One of a kind love affair is
Makes you want to love her, you just have to hurt her, yeah
One of a kind, one of a kind, love affair is
Makes a lame man walk, makes a blind man talk about seein' again
(One of a kind) ooh-oh (love affair is) my-hy
It makes you me want to be around ya, Ah, girl, I'm glad I found you
(One of a kind) wooh-ee, baby (love affair is) I want to tell you now
Every day is sunshine, girl, you're on my mind
One of a kind, one of a kind love affair is
Makes me want to, want to be with you
The Velvelettes’s song “One of a Kind Love Affair” is a sweet and heartening ballad that describes a love that is one of a kind. The lyrics speak to the kind of love that is often found in fairytales or movies, where no matter what obstacles are faced, the couple’s love remains unbroken. The song also speaks to the sacrifices one would make for love. The singer seems to understand that no matter what happens, their love affair is truly unique and worth fighting for. The line “makes you want to love her, you just have to hurt her” speaks to the idea that love can be painful at times, but it’s always worth it in the end.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as it describes the kind of love that is almost magical in nature. It compares the love to the sun shining on a rainy day, which is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The chorus speaks to the idea that even when things are difficult, love can still survive. The second verse talks about the pain of losing someone you love, even if it’s not unexpected. The final verse reiterates the idea that the love the singer has is truly one of a kind and makes every day feel like sunshine.
Line by Line Meaning
One of a kind love affair is
A unique type of relationship where love transcends hardships and wrongs, and is reminiscent of an idealistic fairy tale romance.
The kind of love that you read about in a fairy tale
This type of love is seemingly unrealistic, like the love found in fictional fairy tale stories.
Like the sun that shines on a rainy day, its a cloud of love
The love experienced in this type of relationship is a bright ray of hope even in dark or challenging times, like a cloud of loveliness.
When your down is up, when your up is down
This relationship defies conventions and expectations, leading to uncertainty and confusion about what is right and wrong.
But love stays around
Despite these challenges, love remains steadfast and present, providing comfort and support throughout the relationship.
And when you know you're right, but you got to make a little sacrifice
There may be times when one person knows they are right, but they must still make a compromise or sacrifice for the sake of the relationship and their love for their partner.
I never thought about today would come
The singer did not anticipate the potential end of the relationship.
When she would leave without good-bye, yes, sir.
The partner unexpectedly leaves the relationship without any proper closure or communication.
She wrote a line or two upon the wall
The partner left a brief message or note of explanation behind before leaving.
Said, I'm leaving you, know I love you too
The note expresses the partner's love for the other person, despite their decision to leave.
I can't stay with you
The partner acknowledges that they must leave the relationship.
And this very day, I could never say a discouraging word
The artist chooses to remain positive and refrain from negative comments or criticism about the partner, despite the hurt and disappointment felt by the end of the relationship.
'Cause I love you
The singer still loves the partner and chooses to express this love rather than anger or bitterness.
When you hate to say girl I told you so, but you gotta go
There may come a time when one person knows they need to end the relationship, but it is still difficult and unpleasant to do so.
There won't be a fight, 'cause your love is right
Despite the end of the relationship, there is no argument or hostility because the love and bond between the two people remains valid.
But you're leaving wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
Despite the rightness of the love, the act of leaving the relationship feels wrong and painful.
When you treat her nice but you finally have to pay the price
Treating a partner well does not always ensure a happy ending or the continuation of the relationship.
And though you know you're right
Although one person may believe they are making the right decision in ending the relationship, it is still difficult and emotional.
It makes you me want to be around ya, Ah, girl, I'm glad I found you
This type of love makes one want to be around their partner constantly and feel grateful for having found them.
Every day is sunshine, girl, you're on my mind
The love felt in this type of relationship brings light and warmth to every moment and thought.
Makes me want to, want to be with you
The love in this relationship is so strong that it creates a desire and a need to be with the partner always.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH B. JEFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Desmarais
Wow..the wild dancing is amazing..loved this most- underrated group..they were great.
Steven Kerry
This is a charming piece of footage. The group looked cooly professional in that choreographed, well- rehearsed way that was the standard at that time, but the kids were bonkers and having a crazed blast; very cute to watch... I saw the group live once and they were very personable, beautiful, rather elegant ladies. This track is pure early era Motown and was on the V.I.P. label; I believe it was their signature song and a modest hit, as was "He Was Really Sayin' Something". Both tracks sound sensational. A third single fared less well, and it's title was another of those wise old saying titles, something like "A Bird in the Hand (is Better than Two in the Bush)" or something like that. (Female "advice" songs were all the rage for awhile during that era; The Marvelettes did several as well). I wish The Velvelettes had had bigger success, but they are by no means forgotten.
Captain Keyboard
Neither they are forgotten by me. I am glad that the Velvelettes had their songs recorded from V.I.P. to Tamla.
laminage
He was born Reginald Dwight but changed his name
Joshua Emmanuel
Thanks instead was the supreme that made a blast
Ross Matheson
@Brutha Dnubian they did and the Gary Moore and David Bowie versions are great too. I think the commenter means The Twilights though for the cover of this song.
Ross Matheson
@laminage Wasnt it The Twighlights rather than The Easybeats who covered it?
Steve Ray
Possibly the most underrated group that Motown ever had. I still rate their "Stop Beating Around The Bush" as the greatest Motown record never to be released.
Steve Ray
@FM Talks Yet another great track! In my opinion, the females at Motown, particularly in the 60s, certainly take a lot of beating.
FM Talks
Agreed. Tied with Carolyn Crawford's "Until You Came Along."