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.
Needle In A Haystack 1964
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But girls, listen to me, take my advice
Girls, you'd better get yourselves onto my track
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
Girls, those fellas are sly, slick & shy
So don't you ever let 'em get you starry-eyed
Well, you may think their love is true
But they'll walk right over you
Now girls, you should know these things right off the back
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
Now girls, I say I'm tellin' you the natural facts
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
I'm tellin' you, girls, you'd better look before you leap
Still water sometimes runs very deep
You'll be sorry when you just jump
& do justice passed by love
Girls, you should know these things right off the back
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a
(Needle in a haystack)
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
I say you'd better take heed (needle in a haystack)
Listen to me (needle in a haystack)
You'd better play hard to get
Or you're gonna regret
The day you were born, girl
When he leaves you alone, girl
Good guys are like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
Girls, they're like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
The Velvelettes's hit song "Needle in a Haystack" is a cautionary tale to young women about the difficulties of finding a good man. The lyrics suggest that many men may initially appear charming and loving but are ultimately opportunistic and not to be trusted. The chorus, "finding a good man, girls, is like finding a needle in a haystack," effectively communicates how difficult it is for women to differentiate between trustworthy and unreliable partners. The tone of the song is cheery and upbeat, despite the underlying message warning women against the dishonesty of some men.
The lyrics encourage women to play "hard to get" and to be cautious in their romantic pursuits. The phrase "still water sometimes runs very deep" suggests that men can be misleading in their intentions, just as water may look calm on the surface but have turbulence below. The song's message still resonates with women today, as the difficulty of finding a trustworthy partner with whom to build a long-lasting relationship remains a challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Well well, I once believed all fellas were nice
At one point, I thought that all men were good people.
But girls, listen to me, take my advice
However, I urge all women to heed this warning.
Girls, you'd better get yourselves onto my track
Ladies, it's important that you follow my advice.
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a (Needle in a haystack)
Finding a man who is trustworthy and kind is incredibly difficult.
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
Don't forget what I just warned you about.
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
Girls, those fellas are sly, slick & shy
Men can be deceptive and hard to read.
So don't you ever let 'em get you starry-eyed
Don't be blinded by their charm.
Well, you may think their love is true
You might believe that their feelings are genuine.
But they'll walk right over you
However, they will take advantage of you.
Now girls, you should know these things right off the back
It's important to be aware of these facts from the beginning.
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a (Needle in a haystack)
Locating an honest, decent man is a huge challenge.
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
Remember that I warned you about this.
(She-doop, she-doop, la la)
Now girls, I say I'm tellin' you the natural facts
I'm sharing the realities that women face.
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a (Needle in a haystack)
Discovering a kind, trustworthy man is an enormous challenge.
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
Pay attention to what I warned you about before.
I'm tellin' you, girls, you'd better look before you leap
Women should be cautious when it comes to relationships.
Still water sometimes runs very deep
People can be deceptive even when they seem calm and mild-mannered.
You'll be sorry when you just jump & do justice passed by love
You will regret rushing into a relationship and ignoring warning signs.
Girls, you should know these things right off the back
Women need to be aware of these things from the beginning.
'Cause findin' a good man, girls, is like findin' a (Needle in a haystack)
Finding a man who is honest and dependable is incredibly difficult.
What did I say, girls? (Needle in a haystack)
Don't forget the warning I gave you.
I say you'd better take heed (needle in a haystack)
It's important to pay attention to the advice I'm giving you.
Listen to me (needle in a haystack)
Hear me out and be cautious in your relationships.
You'd better play hard to get
You should be wary of men who come on too strong.
Or you're gonna regret The day you were born, girl When he leaves you alone, girl
If you don't play hard to get, you will regret it when he leaves you behind.
Good guys are like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
Finding a decent, reliable man is an enormous challenge.
Girls, they're like findin' a (needle in a haystack)
It's incredibly hard to locate men who are honest and good-hearted.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ain't nothing like the old skoolπ€
I just love the velvelettes ββββ. This is one of my favorite songs π₯π₯π₯π₯.
MegaStevie14
Absolutely brilliant track I love this song
tommi grafter2
Great to hear this playing on vinyl..
Eddie Johnson
A real classic
Cyril Roberts
"Absolutely Superb Dance Chhooonn!!!! It Is Up-tempo, Upbeat & Dancy With An Amazing Rhythm!!!! You Just Can Not Sit Still, You Must Get Up And Dance!!!!"
Β§ΔRΕy
True music!! Banger!
Greg Hewitt
Love it.
darren lowrie
Great track
Selwyn Owen
I love all Motown music, especially The Supremes
britishpatriot85
I'm 38 and love music will never die