You've Been in Love Too Long

"You've Been in Love Too Long" is a 1965 dance single recorded by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. Their fourth straight Top 40 hit in two years, this song focused on a pro-feminist theme under a gritty R&B background with the narrator (lead singer Martha Reeves) explaining to the woman in question that after years of holding on to an unfaithful and abusive lover that she should let him go saying "you're a fool for your baby". The song, produced and written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter and Clarence Paul, peaked at #25 R&B and #36 Pop in 1965.^[1] Many radio jocks preferred the "B" side, "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" in which caused split airplay and lower chart positioning. Bonnie Raitt covered the song on her 1973 album, Takin' My Time

Personnel

Lead vocals by Martha Reeves
Background vocals by Rosalind Ashford, Betty Kelly, and The Andantes
Produced and written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter and Clarence Paul
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

References

↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 378.

Martha and the Vandellas

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Martha Reeves Lois Reeves Delphine Reeves The Original Vandellas Rosalind Ashford Annette Beard Roschelle Laughhunn Gloria Williams Betty Kelly Sandra Tilley

Studio albums	Come and Get These Memories Heat Wave Dance Party Watchout! Ridin' High Sugar 'n' Spice Natural Resources Black Magic

Live albums	Martha and the Vandellas Live!

Compilation albums	Greatest Hits

Singles (US/UK Top 40)	"Come and Get These Memories" "Heat Wave" "Quicksand" "Dancing in the Street" "Wild One" "Nowhere to Run" "You've Been in Love Too Long" "My Baby Loves Me" "I'm Ready for Love" "Jimmy Mack" "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" "Honey Chile" "Forget Me Not" "Bless You"

Related topics	Discography Members William "Mickey" Stevenson Holland–Dozier–Holland Marvin Gaye

Book:Martha and the Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas singles discography

Gordy label	1962 "I'll Have to Let Him Go" / "My Baby Won't Come Back" 1963 "Come and Get These Memories" / "Jealous Lover" "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" / "A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday)" "Quicksand" / "Darling, I Hum Our Song" 1964 "Live Wire" / "Old Love (Let's Try Again)" "In My Lonely Room" / "A Tear for the Girl" "Dancing in the Street" / "There He Is (At My Door)" "Wild One" / "Dancing Slow" 1965 "Nowhere to Run" / "Motoring" "You've Been in Love Too Long" / "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" 1966 "My Baby Loves Me" / "Never Leave Your Baby's Side" "What Am I Going to Do Without Your Love" / "Go Ahead and Laugh" "I'm Ready for Love" / "He Doesn't Love Her Anymore" 1967 "Jimmy Mack" / "Third Finger, Left Hand" "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" / "One Way Out" "Honey Chile" / "Show Me the Way" 1968 "I Promise to Wait My Love" / "Forget Me Not" "I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playing" / "I Tried" "Sweet Darlin'" / "Without You" 1969 "(We've Got) Honey Love" / "I'm in Love (And I Know It)" "Taking My Love (And Leaving Me)" / "Heartless" 1970 "I Should Be Proud" / "Love, Guess Who" "I Gotta Let You Go" / "You're the Loser Now" 1971 "Bless You" / "Hope I Don't Get My Heart Broke" "In and Out of My Life" / "Your Love Makes It All Worthwhile" 1972 "Tear It On Down" / "I Want You Back" 1973 "Baby Don't Leave Me" / "I Won't Be the Fool I've Been Again"

Book:Martha and the Vandellas

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