You've Been in Love Too Long

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"You've Been in Love Too Long" is a song produced and written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter and Clarence Paul. It was released dance single when recorded by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.

Background[]

The song was the trio's fourth straight Top 40 hit in two years, and 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". Many radio jocks preferred the "B" side, "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" in which caused split airplay and lower chart positioning.

Personnel[]

• Lead vocals by Martha Reeves
• Background vocals by Rosalind Ashford, Betty Kelly, and The Andantes: Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks and Louvain Demps
• Produced and written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter and Clarence Paul
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Chart performance[]

In the US, "You've Been in Love Too Long" went to #25 on the Top Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and #36 on the Hot 100.^[1]

References[]

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