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.
These Things Will Keep Me Loving You
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say it again
These things will keep me loving you dear
A gentle touch upon my face baby
A tender kiss and a warm embrace honey
Oh a few kind words
Spoken so sincere
These things will keep me loving you dear
These things will keep me loving you dear
Give me your shoulder so I can cry on it baby
Oh give me advice that I can rely on honey
Oh say you love me every day of the year
And I know and I know
These things will keep me loving you dear
Say it again
These things will keep me loving you dear
Oh and I know these things will keep me loving you dear
Oh baby baby
Call me each night on the telephone baby
Oh send me a card when you're far from home honey
Oh hold me close to you baby every time you're near
And I know and I know
These things will keep me loving you dear
Oh, loving you dear
The Velvelettes’ song “These Things Will Keep Me Loving You” is a soulful ballad about the things that sustain a relationship, specifically highlighting actions that make a partner feel loved and appreciated. The songs’ lyrics describe a series of small gestures that are vital to maintaining love between two people. The first verse talks about a gentle touch, a tender kiss, and kind words spoken sincerely, emphasizing the importance of physical touch and verbal affirmation. The second verse mentions the desire for emotional support in difficult times and consistent expressions of love. The final verse suggests the importance of keeping in touch when apart and the need for physical intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh and I know these things will keep me loving you dear
I am aware of the actions that will maintain my love for you, my beloved.
Say it again
Repeat the importance of these actions to sustain our love.
A gentle touch upon my face baby
A tender, loving caress on my face by you, my sweetest.
A tender kiss and a warm embrace honey
A gentle lip-lock and a heartfelt hug, my darling.
Oh a few kind words
Words of endearment spoken with genuine sincerity.
Spoken so sincere
Expressing genuine feelings of affection with heartfelt words.
And I know and I know
I am sure and confident about these actions to preserve our love.
Give me your shoulder so I can cry on it baby
Offer me your shoulder to cry on when I need emotional support, my love.
Oh give me advice that I can rely on honey
Provide me with trustworthy advice, my dearest.
Oh say you love me every day of the year
Declare your love for me every single day of the year, my dear.
And I know and I know
I am certain and convinced that these actions will sustain our love.
These things will keep me loving you dear
These actions are crucial for me to keep loving you, my beloved.
Oh baby baby
An affectionate way of addressing my significant other.
Call me each night on the telephone baby
Contact me every night without fail, my love.
Oh send me a card when you're far from home honey
Mail me a card when you're away from home, my sweetie.
Oh hold me close to you baby every time you're near
Hug me tightly every time you are close to me, my beloved.
And I know and I know
I am assured and confident in these actions to maintain our love.
These things will keep me loving you dear
These actions are indispensable for me to continue loving you, my darling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARVEY FUQUA, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, SYLVIA MOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Price
Absolutely the BEST track that ever came out of Motown. Defo playing at my funeral
Al W
Crikey! Hope you're doing ok..!
Les Samuels
The ultimate song to brighten anyones day no matter how you feel..and no matter what age you will want to get up and dance...pure magic memories
Terence Doherty
Brilliant Track, if you don't dance to this, there's something wrong with you
Stu Forshaw
Just one of the sweetest pieces of music ever to come out of the Motown stable - never get tired of hearing it
Marie Mooney
Thank you so much for this arrangement I was born in 1954 to an Irish family my sister who was born in 1949 got me into Motown from 1965 on
I Thank GOD she did each and every time I listen to Marvin David Stevie The Velvelettes Marvellettes 4 tops Smoky Gladys Knighy
I am uplifted
Dave Senior
What a brilliant extended version of the best motown record ever... These girls were the best girl motown group also, so underrated.
mosogotam
Thank you so much, Dave!!
Imelda Golder
never tire of listening to these , they'll go on for ever .....
Bernard McMahon
This version is amazing, the song is beautiful, lovely group \ ladies.JUST AMAZING