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.
That's the Reason Why
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here today and then gone tomorrow
You've got to stick by me through the bad days
It's forever, now and always
So if you want me, go out and buy a ring
You gotta show me before I do a thing
Before I start to kiss you, before I start to miss you
Before I let you take my heart
'Cause I know a lot of guys
They go along telling lies and breaking hearts
They make you cry
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
Don't you know you got prove that your love is real
Let the preacher close the deal
I don't wanna take a chance
On just a fly-by-night romance
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
Don't you know you got prove that your love is real
Let the preacher close the deal
I don't wanna take a chance
On just a fly-by-night romance
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
Now I don't mean to be hard on you (that's the reason why, the reason why)
But baby this is what I gotta do (that's the reason why, the reason why)
You know so many guys have come around (that's the reason why, the reason why)
The Velvelettes' song "That's The Reason Why" starts with the lyrics "I don't believe in love on the borrow, here today and then gone tomorrow." This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is all about the importance of love and commitment in a relationship. The second line "You've got to stick by me through the bad days, it's forever, now and always" emphasizes that true love lasts through good times and bad.
The chorus of the song, "Don't you know you got prove that your love is real, let the preacher close the deal, I don't wanna take a chance, on just a fly-by-night romance, that's the reason why," further drives home the message that the singer is not interested in a casual relationship. She wants her partner to show her that their love is serious and committed before she will give her heart away. Ultimately, the song is about valuing yourself and your worth, and not settling for someone who is not willing to make a real commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe in love on the borrow
I don't trust temporary love
Here today and then gone tomorrow
Love that is temporary, and not around for long
You've got to stick by me through the bad days
Love requires being supportive even during hard times
It's forever, now and always
Love is a lifelong commitment
So if you want me, go out and buy a ring
If you want to prove your love, get engaged and committed
You gotta show me before I do a thing
Prove your love before I give you my own
Before I start to kiss you, before I start to miss you
Don't rush it, love needs to develop over time
Before I let you take my heart
Before giving you my heart, you need to prove your trustworthiness
'Cause I know a lot of guys
I'm cautious of men who don't take love seriously
They go along telling lies and breaking hearts
These men deceive and hurt women
They make you cry
Their actions lead to emotional pain
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
This is why I'm cautious about entering a romantic relationship
Don't you know you got prove that your love is real
You need to prove that your love is genuine
Let the preacher close the deal
Get married to show your commitment
I don't wanna take a chance
I don't want to risk getting hurt
On just a fly-by-night romance
A short-term romance is not what I'm looking for
That's the reason why (that's the reason why)
This is why I'm cautious about entering a romantic relationship
Now I don't mean to be hard on you (that's the reason why, the reason why)
I'm not trying to be overly difficult, but love requires commitment
But baby this is what I gotta do (that's the reason why, the reason why)
I need to be cautious in order to avoid heartbreak
You know so many guys have come around (that's the reason why, the reason why)
I've seen too many men who break hearts, which makes me cautious
Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.