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.
Save Me
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody save me
Save me!
Somebody save me, yeah
Promised myself after the first romance
I wouldn't give ya a second chance
Said you see, you're sure to find
You drive me stone out'a my mind
Save me!
Oh, yeah, save me! yeah, yeah
Those who love always give the most
We're cryin' together from coast to coast
Love leaves us cold and hurt inside
Leaves of ours unjustified
Beggin' ya to, save me!
Yeah, need somebody to
Save me! yeah, hey, hey, hey
(Sax)
Yeah, um, hum, yeah, um hum, hum
(Sax)
Your love said ya needed me
You abused my love, set me free
You didn't need, you didn't want me
Somebody help me, this man wants to taunt me
I'm beggin' you to, oh, oh!
Save me! yeah, he, save me!
Call in the cape crusader, green hornet
Kado too
I'm in so much trouble I don't know what to do
If you're thinkin' a thing about me
Save me! oh yeah, yea, see'mon
I just said
Save me! baby see'mon
Save me! save me!
Save me
The song "Save Me" by The Velvelettes is a plea for help from someone who is trapped in a toxic relationship. The singer starts by acknowledging that she had promised herself she wouldn't give her partner a second chance, but she finds herself drawn back to him despite her better judgment. As the relationship intensifies, it becomes clear that the partner is abusive and doesn't really want or need her but enjoys tormenting her. The singer is left feeling cold and hurt inside and begs for someone to save her from the situation.
The lyrics employ a variety of metaphors and allusions to convey the intensity and desperation of the singer's situation. The line "those who love always give the most" suggests that the singer has given everything she has to this relationship, but it has only left her feeling empty and alone. The reference to superheroes like the Green Hornet and Kato reflects the idea that the singer needs a savior to rescue her from her situation, but it also suggests that she sees herself as powerless and in need of outside intervention.
Line by Line Meaning
Save me!
The singer is in distress and is calling for immediate help.
Somebody save me
The singer is asking someone to come to their rescue.
Promised myself after the first romance
After a previous relationship, the singer made a commitment to not repeat the same mistakes.
I wouldn't give ya a second chance
The singer had decided not to give their partner another chance to hurt them again.
Said you see, you're sure to find
The singer believed that their partner will realize what they are missing and would regret their actions.
A but the closer I get to ya, baby
Despite the decision made, the singer finds themselves emotionally drawn to their partner.
You drive me stone out'a my mind
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and is losing their sanity because of the emotional turmoil caused by their partner.
Those who love always give the most
Being in love often leads one to be more giving and selfless towards their partner.
We're cryin' together from coast to coast
The singer and their partner are both hurt and emotionally vulnerable, and their pain is felt across the country.
Love leaves us cold and hurt inside
The feelings of love can cause pain and distress that leave one feeling empty and hurt.
Leaves of ours unjustified
The love that was given wasn't deserving of the pain that was felt.
Beggin' ya to, save me!
The singer is pleading for someone to help them overcome their emotional turmoil.
Your love said ya needed me
The singer's partner claimed to love and need them.
You abused my love, set me free
The singer's partner mistreated their love, causing them to feel suffocated and in need of freedom.
You didn't need, you didn't want me
The singer's partner didn't truly need or want them, leaving the singer feeling unwanted and unvalued.
Somebody help me, this man wants to taunt me
The singer is asking for someone to keep them safe from their partner, who is causing them emotional distress.
Call in the cape crusader, green hornet Kado too
The singer is humorously referencing superheroes to emphasize how desperate they are for help.
I'm in so much trouble I don't know what to do
The singer feels overwhelmed and helpless in their situation.
If you're thinkin' a thing about me
The singer is urging someone to think about them and offer help in their time of need.
Save me! oh yeah, yea, see'mon
The singer is pleading with urgency for someone to save them.
Save me! baby see'mon
The singer is asking their loved one to come to their rescue.
Save me! save me!
The singer is repeating their pleas for help and emphasizing the urgency of their need to be saved.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARETHA FRANKLIN, CAROLYN FRANKLIN, CURTIS OUSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Alejandro
This is one of my favourite tunes by this underated girl group; love their sound !🥰