Mary Wells was an American singer who achieved mainstream success in the early 1960s with a string of R&B hits that included “My Guy,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,” and “Two Lovers.” Wells was one of the first Motown artists to sign with the record label and one of the earliest African-American female singers to gain widespread recognition. Her career was cut short after a dispute with Motown founder Berry Gordy, but she continued to record throughout her life and released her final album in 2006.
| Name | Mary Wells |
| Date of Birth | May 13, 1943 |
| Genre | R&B, Soul, Pop |
| Notable Songs | My Guy, You Beat Me to the Punch, Two Lovers |
| Notable Albums | The One Who Really Loves You, Two Lovers, Love Songs |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Motown, 20th Century Fox |
10 Best Mary Wells Quotes
“People tell me that I’m an overnight success, but I’ve been singing for over ten years.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“I try to give my best in whatever I do, because I’m going to be judged by it.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“The thing that I wanted most was to be a star, but I wanted it to be on my own terms.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“I just like to show people that I can do something other than the Motown sound.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“I always had faith in myself and was determined to make it.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“My career has been a roller coaster ride, but I’m still here.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“I just want to be able to continue to do the music that I love.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic
“I’m glad that I’m still around, and that I’m still singing.”
– Mary Wells, from Soul Express
“I’m not trying to compete with today’s music. I just want to do what I do best.”
– Mary Wells, from Vintage Rock
“I’m not trying to be a superstar. I just want to perform in my own style.”
– Mary Wells, from Vintage Rock
6 Inspirational Mary Wells Quotes
“If you don’t have the courage to do something, do it scared.”
– Mary Wells, from Soul Tracks
“You can’t just sit back and wait for someone to give you an opportunity. You have to set your own destiny.”
– Mary Wells, from Billboard
“You can’t just sit back and wait for someone to give you an opportunity. You have to set your own destiny.”
– Mary Wells, from Billboard
“I’m still doing what I was doing when I was sixteen. I’m still trying to learn, still trying to grow, still trying to be creative.”
– Mary Wells, from All Music
“I’m still doing what I was doing when I was sixteen. I’m still trying to learn, still trying to grow, still trying to be creative.”
– Mary Wells, from All Music
“There is a saying, ‘If you don’t take care of your talent, it won’t take care of you.’ I think that is so true.”
– Mary Wells, from Daily Motion
6 Famous Mary Wells Quotes
“My thing has been a combination of a natural talent and whatever techniques I’ve picked up along the way.”
– Mary Wells, from GRAMMY.com
“I was determined to have a career. I wanted to be a star.”
– Mary Wells, from The New York Times
“I was always a little ahead of my time.”
– Mary Wells, from GRAMMY.com
“I’m a creative person, and I like to do something creative.”
– Mary Wells, from GRAMMY.com
“You can’t let your success get to your head.”
– Mary Wells, from GRAMMY.com
“I see myself as an entertainer, not just a singer.”
– Mary Wells, from Soul Walking
5 Mary Wells Quotes About Love
“Love is everything. It’s what I sing about.”
– Mary Wells, from Grammy.com
“When I sing about love, I’m singing about something special. I’m singing about something that’s real, that should last forever.”
– Mary Wells, from Grammy.com
“Love is something that makes us feel warm and happy. It’s something that’s inside us, and it should never be forgotten.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic.com
“Love is something that can make us happy, but only if it’s done in the right way.”
– Mary Wells, from AllMusic.com
“I think love is the most important thing in the world. Without it, nothing else matters.”
– Mary Wells, from The New York Times
5 Mary Wells Quotes About Life
“I think the thing I’ve learned in life is that we all have to go through some things in order to get to where we want to be.”
– Mary Wells, from The HistoryMakers
“You have to have faith in yourself. You have to believe in yourself. You have to know that you can do it.”
– Mary Wells, from The HistoryMakers
“I’ve never been a quitter, and I’m not going to quit now.”
– Mary Wells, from The HistoryMakers
“Life is a learning experience, and you have to go through it. You can’t be afraid of change.”
– Mary Wells, from Soul Walking
“You can’t be afraid of failure. You’ve got to be willing to take a chance and go for it.”
– Mary Wells, from Soul Walking
8 Quotes About Mary Wells
“Mary Wells was the first female superstar of Motown and an important musical pioneer.”
– NPR, from source host
“Mary Wells was the first solo star of Motown Records and one of the most famous Motown singers of the 1960s.”
– Encyclopedia Britannica, from source host
“Mary Wells’ enthusiasm and passion for music has inspired many generations of singers and songwriters.”
– The Guardian, from source host
“Mary Wells was a powerful singer who brought a unique energy to her performances.”
– Rolling Stone, from source host
“Mary Wells was one of the most important figures in the development of Motown Records.”
– Biography.com, from source host
“Mary Wells was an American singer whose powerful voice helped define Motown’s early sound.”
– AllMusic, from source host
“Mary Wells was a pioneer, blazing a trail for female artists in the male-dominated world of Motown.”
– The New York Times, from source host
Interview with Mary Wells
Frequently Asked Questions About Mary Wells
1. What was Mary Wells’ most famous quote?
Mary Wells is known as one of the most influential female singers of all time, and her quotes are often insightful, inspiring, and memorable. Here are some of Mary Wells’ most famous quotes:
- “If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.”
- “The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows.”
- “Nobody ever made a difference by being like everyone else.”
- “Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.”
- “The only way to be successful is to take risks. You have to take risks in order to succeed.”
- “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
- “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”
2. What were Mary Wells’ career accomplishments?
Mary Wells was an American singer, songwriter and record producer who was an important figure in the development of the Motown record label in the 1960s. She was the label’s first female star, scoring a string of top ten hits, including her signature song “My Guy”. Throughout her career, she achieved many notable accomplishments.
- In 1964, Wells topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the single “My Guy”.
- In the same year, she became the first Motown artist to tour Europe.
- In 1965 Wells was the first Motown artist to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.
- In 1965, she also became the first female solo artist to have two songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 simultaneously with “My Guy” and “You Beat Me to the Punch”.
- In 1966, Wells won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording for her song “My Guy”.
- In 1984, she was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
- In 1999, Wells was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Awards.
- In 2003, Wells was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.
3. Was Mary Wells a part of any social movements?
Mary Wells was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement during the 1960s. She was highly involved in fighting for civil rights and was an outspoken advocate for equality. Wells was an active member of the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Wells was also a strong supporter of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In her role with SNCC, she worked to mobilize young people to become active in the civil rights movement. Wells was a prominent figure in the march on Washington in 1963, where she sang her hit song, “My Guy”, to an enthusiastic crowd.
In addition to her work in the civil rights movement, Wells was also an advocate for women’s rights. She was a founding member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and worked to empower women and encourage them to stand up for their rights.
Wells’ activism extended beyond the civil rights movement and women’s rights. She was a vocal supporter of education reform, and was a founding member of the National Coalition of Black Elected Women, a group that worked to ensure that black women were elected to positions of political power.
In recognition of her work, Wells received numerous awards, including the “Living Legend” award from the National Organization for Women and the “Lifetime Achievement” award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. She was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, making her the first female solo artist to be inducted.
4. What were some of Mary Wells’ biggest influences?
Mary Wells was heavily influenced by the Motown sound of the 1950s and ’60s. Other musical influences included jazz, gospel, and R&B. She also drew inspiration from some of the greatest musical artists of her time, such as Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.
- Motown sound of the 1950s and ’60s
- Jazz
- Gospel
- R&B
- Sam Cooke
- Aretha Franklin
- Ray Charles
5. What was Mary Wells’ Legacy?
Mary Wells was a pioneering singer and songwriter who redefined the Motown sound in the 1960s. Her career spanned five decades and she was a powerful influence on female singers and songwriters who followed in her footsteps. She was also an important figure in the civil rights movement in the US. Her legacy is one of courage, resilience and innovation. Here are some of the ways she left her mark:
- She was the first female artist to have her first two singles reach the top of the US Billboard Hot 100.
- She was the first female artist to win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.
- She was the first female artist to have a number one single in the UK.
- She co-wrote songs for other Motown artists, including The Temptations and Marvin Gaye.
- She was an advocate for equal rights and racial equality, and her songs often held political messages.
- She was an inspiration to other female singers and songwriters, and paved the way for the success of later female artists.
Mary Wells’ legacy is one of courage, resilience and innovation. Her music and her activism have left an indelible mark on the world and her influence is still felt to this day.
Conclusion
Mary Wells was an artist who made an impact on the art world. She was known for her bold and innovative style, which often featured an experimental approach to materials and techniques. Her works were often characterized by their strong use of color, texture, and form. She was an artist who was willing to push boundaries and challenge expectations. She was a respected and admired artist who left a lasting impression on the art world. Her legacy continues to live on in her works, which are treasured by collectors and art lovers alike.
