Song of the Week: The Marvelous Marvelettes

The clever lyrics of this Smokey Robinson song are the kind that declare an obvious, yet profound truth about the human condition, rather typical of clever Smokey Robinson songs. One of his favourite singers, Wanda Rogers, sings the lead. If a voice from the group were going to take the Marvelettes main stream, it would be Wanda's.

Going mainstream was not to be their fate, although the women racked up quite a few hits for Motown. "Please Mr Postman" on Motown label Tamla was the first number one record released by Berry Gordy. It topped both Pop and R'n'B charts. The album released with it as the title song had a drawing of a mailbox, instead of the Marvelettes. Perhaps one of the reasons that the Marvelettes played third to both Supremes and Vandellas was that their crossover appeal was limited. Still they, along with the Shirelles, Chantels and Spector's ladies, are an integral part of what has been called the "Girl Group Sound."

The three women on this album are all original Marvellettes: Wanda, Gladys and Katherine. After this Gladys took leave and was followed by Katherine. The last album, Return of the Marvelettes was actually a Wanda Rogers album produced by Smokey Robinson. Sic transit Gloria Motown.

The Day You Take One
(You Have To Take The Other)
(William Robinson)

(Didn't want no heartache & misery)
I wanted a guy I was sure would be good to me
(Didn't want no guy who could make me cry)
I wanted a guy with a love that could satisfy
All I wanted was gladness from love
Didn't want no sadness from love
But I fell for you & discovered
That the day you take one, you're gonna have to take the other

(Didn't want no sleepless night)
I wanted a guy who would treat me right
(Didn't want no tossin' & turnin')
I wanted a guy to keep the lovelight burnin'
All I wanted was glad things in love I didn't want the bad things in love
But I fell for you & discovered
That the day you take one, you're gonna have to take the other
(Hey hey hey, hey hey hey, hey hey hey, hey hey hey, hey hey hey)


A little bad comes along with every good
You've got to take the bitter with the sweet
True love never runs smooth like we think it should
But true love can't be beat, woo hoo!

(Didn't want no trouble & confusion)
The love I wanted was only an illusion
(Didn't want to have to change my ways)
I wanted to stay like I was all my days
All I wanted was to be treated nice
Didn't want to make the sacrifice
But I fell for you & discovered
That the day you take one,
You're gonna have to take the other
Ooo yeah

(Didn't want no) heartaches & misery
(All I wanted was) a guy who'd be good to me
(Didn't want no) guy who could make me cry
(All I wanted was) a love that could satisfy
(Didn't want no) tossin' & turnin' ...& fade