You've Been in Love Too Long

"You've Been in Love Too Long"
Single by Martha and the Vandellas
from the album Greatest Hits
B-side	Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)
Released	July 26, 1965
Format	vinyl record (7" 45 RPM)
Recorded	Hitsville USA (Studio A); 1965
Genre	Soul
Length	2:57
Label	Gordy G 7045
Producer(s)	William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter, Clarence Paul
Martha and the Vandellas singles chronology
"Nowhere to Run" (1965) "You've Been in Love Too Long" / "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" (1965) "My Baby Loves Me" (1966)

"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. 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