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.
Velvelettes: He Was Really Sayin' Something
The Velvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When this boy started following me
Though I ignored all the things he said
He moved me in every way
With his collar unbuttoned
By my side he was struttin'
He was really sayin' somethin'
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
He flirted every step of the way
I could hear every word he'd say
My resistance was gettin' low
And my feelings started to show
My heart started pumpin', blood pressure jumpin'
He was really sayin' somethin',
Really sayin' somethin'
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
He walked me to my door
I agreed to see him once more
Late night it may not be
But he moved me tremendously
Though he was bold, my heart he stole
He was really sayin' somethin',
Really sayin' somethin'
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
(Bop bop soo-be-do-wa)
He was really sayin' somethin'
The Velvelettes' song "He Was Really Sayin' Something" tells the story of a girl walking down the street when a boy starts following her, trying to flirt and win her over. Initially, the girl ignores him, but as the boy continues to talk to her and walk with her, her resistance lowers, and she starts to feel something for him. In the end, he walks her to her door, and even though he was bold, she couldn't resist him.
The song's lyrics capture the excitement and vulnerability of falling in love in a playful way. The way the girl describes the boy's movements and his unbuttoned collar gives the listener a clear picture of the scene. The repetition of "he was really sayin' somethin'" reinforces the idea that the boy's words and actions are influencing the girl's emotions. The use of onomatopoeic sounds like "bop bop soo-be-do-wa" adds to the song's upbeat and fun vibe.
Overall, "He Was Really Sayin' Something" is a catchy, upbeat song that captures the feeling of falling in love in a playful way. The Velvelettes' soulful harmonies and the song's catchy melody ensure that it remains a classic that still gets people dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walkin' down the street
I was casually strolling on the sidewalk
When this boy started following me
Suddenly, a young man began to pursue me
Though I ignored all the things he said
Despite disregarding his verbal advances
He moved me in every way
He affected me emotionally and physically
With his collar unbuttoned
Wearing an unfastened shirt neckline
By my side he was struttin'
Walking confidently alongside me
He flirted every step of the way
He playfully chatted up a storm
I could hear every word he'd say
I listened to every word he spoke
My resistance was gettin' low
My ability to resist him was diminishing
And my feelings started to show
My emotions began to surface
My heart started pumpin', blood pressure jumpin'
My heart rate and blood pressure increased
He walked me to my door
He escorted me to my home's entrance
I agreed to see him once more
I accepted his offer for another encounter
Late night it may not be
The ensuing date may not occur in the late evening
But he moved me tremendously
Nonetheless he deeply inspired me
Though he was bold, my heart he stole
Despite his strong personality, he won my affection
He was really sayin' somethin'
He truly was conveying a message
Lyrics Š Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Davies
I can only vaguely recall the Velvelettes in the sixties. Seeing this video has made me realise I missed an excellent group. The rest of their music is also fantastic. They are still young in this video (1989) even though over 25 years had passed since their formation. To think that they are still performing after 2010 is incredible. Many thanks to Ian Levine for putting this video up on youtube.
mowestjohn
Carolyn Gill's voice is still superb.
blackteacher1
Someone heard my prayers!! I love this song!!!! Thanks so much for posting it by the Velvelettes.
dvlaries
Let's hope the surviving Velvelettes, like surviving members of the Marvelettes, Cotours, Elgins, Kim and Brenda, whatever members of Jr.'s band still survive also know their ways around a pc and their way to YouTube so that they KNOW we haven't forgotten and we still cherish what they gave us. If this stuff caught as you were entering your teens, as it did me, you know that it may as well be part of your DNA, because you're never going to stop being drawn to it. I'm its prisoner and I love it.
davidbspamboy
How do you NOT love these girls? Pure American music at it's finest.
Nigel Toovey
+davidbspamboy Pure great music.
Paul DePace
This video is one of the coolest on YouTube!! If you aren't in a good mood after this, then it is really a bad day! Unreal how these ladies can still bring it!!
BW92116
Great song, great version, great sound quality.
IanLevine
Razelma, you're just fabulous. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart. I wish there were a few more like you around. You, Soren, Phillip, Andy, NRGFan and a few others, are the reason why I take as much care as I do with this music. You're my inspiration. And you make the effort in editing all this stuff actually feel worthwhile.
Brady Baylis
"Really Saying Something" is one of Motown's CRIMINALLY underrated hits,and the beautiful, enormously talented Velvellettes should have been FAR BIGGER. Another example of these ladies' talent is their other biggie," Needle In A Haystack." Quintessential mid-sixties American music !!!!