The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were known for a churchier, more southern-styled soul than the Supremes, as typified in Motown hits such as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave", "Jimmy Mack", "I'm Ready For Love", "My Baby Loves Me", "Nowhere to Run", and, their signature song, "Dancing in the Street".
The group had its origins in Detroit, Michigan in 1957, and had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis. It originally was a quartet comprising childhood friends Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, and original lead singer Gloria Williams. Williams left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name to The Vells signing a deal with Motown's Mel-o-dy label, and singing background for established Motown performers such as Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye before signing a new deal with Motown's Gordy label on September 21, 1962, after which the group changed its name to Martha and the Vandellas.
In 1964, the Vandellas' lineup changed with Betty Kelly replacing Annette Beard (now Beard-Sterling). In 1967, Kelly was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. It was right about this time that the group's name was officially changed to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, to conform with the company's recent changes of The Supremes' and The Miracles' names to reflect their featured lead singers. The lineup of the Reeves sisters and Tilley continued after Martha's return from an institution after suffering a nervous breakdown. The group disbanded following a farewell concert, held at Detroit's Cobo Hall on December 21, 1972.
The story of the group did not end completely with their split-up in 1972, however. While Tilley and Williams (both now deceased) eventually retired, the others continued with their individual career pursuits: Lois sang with the group Quiet Elegance and also sang background for Al Green; Reeves reunited with original Vandellas Ashford and Beard-Sterling for a 1978 benefit concert in Los Angeles; and in 1983, Reeves performed solo at Motown 25, which partly helped her and the Vandellas gain a new audience. In particular, Reeves herself is still known to sing with her sisters Lois and Delphine, often performing as a solo artist under the bill, "Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas", and still performs all over the world.
Heat Wave
Martha and the Vandellas Lyrics
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Something inside (inside)
Stars to burnin' (ooh)
And I'm filled with desire
Could it be a devil in me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
It's like a heat wave
Burnin' in my heart (like a heat wave)
I can't keep from cryin' (like a heat wave)
It's tearin' me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet and plain,
I feel, yeah, well,
I feel that burnin' flame
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
It's like a heat wave
Burnin' in my heart (like a heat wave)
I can't keep from cryin' (like a heat wave)
It's tearin' me apart
(Ooooh, oooh, heat wave)
(Ooooh, oooh, heat wave)
Sometimes I stare in space,
Tears all over my face
I can't explain it, don't understand it
I ain't never felt like this before
Now that funny feelin' has me amazed
I don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Well, it's alright, girl)
Whoa-ho yeah
(Go ahead, girl)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Well, it's alright, girl)
Ho yeah
(Ain't nothin' but love, girl)
Don't pass up this chance
It sounds like true romance
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
(repeat and fade out)
The lyrics to Martha and the Vandella's song "Heat Wave" are about the intense feelings of desire and passion that the singer experiences when she is with her lover. She describes the feeling as a "heat wave" burning in her heart and tearing her apart. The lyrics suggest that these intense feelings are not necessarily a good thing, as they are overwhelming and difficult to control. The singer questions whether this is the way love is supposed to be or if there is something wrong with her.
The lyrics are also suggestive of a darker side to the singer's feelings, as she wonders if there is a "devil" in her that is causing her to feel this way. The lyrics are full of imagery that reinforce the intensity of the singer's emotions, such as "tears all over my face" and a "burning flame" inside her. It is clear that the singer is consumed by her feelings and unable to resist them.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I'm with him (ooh),
Every time I see him, there is an indescribable feeling that comes over me.
Something inside (inside)
There is an inner turmoil that starts to grow and consume me.
Stars to burnin' (ooh)
It feels like the stars are exploding and my world is crashing down around me.
And I'm filled with desire
I am overwhelmed with a strong craving to be near him.
Could it be a devil in me
I sometimes wonder if there is an evil presence within me.
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Is this just how love is supposed to feel?
It's like a heat wave
It feels like a sudden rush of intense heat.
Burnin' in my heart (like a heat wave)
It's like a fire that is raging out of control within me.
I can't keep from cryin' (like a heat wave)
I am so overwhelmed with emotions that I can't stop crying.
It's tearin' me apart
It feels like it is ripping me into pieces.
Whenever he calls my name
Every time he says my name, it feels like music to my ears.
Soft, low, sweet and plain,
The sound of his voice is tender and soothing.
I feel, yeah, well,
It's a feeling that I can't quite put my finger on.
I feel that burnin' flame
It feels like there is a fierce burning inside me.
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
I sometimes wonder if I am under some sort of spell or curse.
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
I cannot help but wonder if love is just supposed to feel this way.
Sometimes I stare in space,
There are times when I am lost in my own thoughts.
Tears all over my face
I find myself crying for reasons I cannot explain.
I can't explain it, don't understand it
Even I don't understand all of these intense emotions.
I ain't never felt like this before
These feelings are all new to me.
Now that funny feelin' has me amazed
It's funny how one person can change everything.
I don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
I don't know what the future holds, and it's hard to focus.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
A taunting reminder of the situation.
(Well, it's alright, girl)
A comforting assurance that everything will be okay.
Whoa-ho yeah
A jubilant exclamation of love.
(Go ahead, girl)
A gentle push to follow her heart.
Ain't nothin' but love, girl
All of these emotions are just the result of love.
Don't pass up this chance
She is urging herself to take a chance on love.
It sounds like true romance
Despite the tumultuous emotions, it feels like love.
Burnin' burnin'
Love is like a raging fire.
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
These emotions are all-consuming.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Levine, James Valentine, Jesse Royal Carmichael, Mickey Madden, Ryan Michael Dusick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind