The Velvelettes - He Was Really Saying Something

At fourteen years old, I discovered the joy of listening to The Velvelettes "Needle In A Haystack", not once, not twice, but probably twenty times a day. I knew every word, every nuance, of Cal Gill's amazingly plaintive vocal. The more obscure Motown groups fascinated me far more than the obvious ones. Which is why, when I started Motorcity, I sought out The Velvelettes and re-recorded my beloved classic. And then, of course, also had to record this amazing classic, "He Was Really Saying Something". And these Velvelettes were all four original girls. Not a substitution in sight. I continued to record them over the next few years, releasing their first ever album, something which, at the time, they had never achieved at Motown. There was also another wonderful song that I co-wrote with Ivy Jo Hunter, the legendary Motown songwriter, called "It Keeps Reminding Me (Of Happy memories)", a song which summed up everything I tried to achieve with my Motorcity Reunion Project. When this video was filmed, in July 1989, Norma had a prior commitment, so the girls are down to three here, Cal, Bertha, and Millie

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Motown
• Detroit
• Motorcity
• Sixties
• Classic-Soul
• Girl-Groups
• Female-Soul-singers
• Northern-Soul

[SupremeSoulUK]

Where is the fourth memeber? And who is it who is missing?

[IanLevine]

Norma had to work on the day we shot this video, nineteen years ago now.

[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.

[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.

[ktpj]

The Velvelettes were terrific and deserved much more air play and fame than they were given. I enjoyed The Supremes but they were presented as princesses. That's not meant as an insult. However, the Velvelettes, Marveleettes, Martha and the Vandellas:they were allowed by the powers at Motown to rock.

Glamour was in short supply in the '60's. I liked it then and now. I still enjoy the music of my youth. All right, I'll end the suspense. 58 is my age and not my IQ or waist size (yet).

[CatQueen1980]

First time i have ever seen the faces of Velvettes. Smart women and i absolutely love this song, also on my phone, too :)

[maruku86]

I <3 Cal!

[supremester2]

The Supremes had crossover appeal and 3 really fine, diverse, talented voices that harmonized beautifully. There is no reason to compare these two groups at all as they were totally different types. The Velvelettes were much, much closer to The Vandellas in sound and style. I don't think Motown had enough material for another girl group - which was a dying breed by 1964. The Velvelettes should have been snapped up by another label if they had great potential.

[tootsie4u67]

Ms.Betha McNeal ws absolutelt awsome as was the intire group. She was my music teacher in Mddle school inKalamazoo Mich and it was such an honor to have her teach me what she knew!!

[UKno1sLyricsCentre]

I never knew this song was done before Bananrama

[TheRoloCasanova]

This is a fantastic video. These girls still sounded great. I would rate Cal as one of the best female vocalists of the (all) time - Lonely Lonely Girl Am I is THE classic girl group record. BUT I have never seen The Velvelettes live (nearly did once when they appeared with Martha & Vandellas but the venue was too full). Girls, if you're ever in Crewe - bring those dresses and call in - our living room is just big enough for a one off performance lol.

[emperorsdragon]

As Berry Gordy didn't see the star quality in this group, he couldn't be as smart as he thought he was.

With the right promotional machine behind them, these babes could have really achieved something.

[MickeyMouseInc]

i have to do this song for a guitar show and this video really helped i couldent find the song ANY WEHERE!!

[FATWONTON]

This song is the Tops!!!