Whenever I'm with him (ooh),
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)

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Levine, James Valentine, Jesse Royal Carmichael, Mickey Madden, Ryan Michael Dusick

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

No

6y↑9

Music so moving can change your entire perspective of things, like this song.
The memory still burns into my mind to this day.

I went to a simple dance party alone with lots of students, the purpose of me attending this school party was to meet a guy there, I guess you can say my platonic "date", we weren't together, I only knew this man for a few months. I remember wearing just a simple white dress and had my hair in big curls that landed down to my shoulders and wearing only one coat of mascara. I was waiting by the DJ and he decided to play some oldies. People were dancing and everyone was having a good time.

This song played as my "date" entered the school gym, I never noticed how handsome he was until that night. He was wearing a black biker jacket and levis jeans, his jawline was sharp and his cheeks were deeper than how I would usually see them. He had his hair slicked back and his bright smile lit the room with a dash of confidence in his step.

My heart JUMPED the moment Martha Reeves powerfully sang that first verse, he was greeting other people with that gorgeous smile while he was walking in... Then I realized as he was glancing left and right with those beautiful hazel eyes, he was trying to look for me.
My casual behavior disappeared, I was a nervous wreck. He was walking closer to my direction and I quickly ran into the bathroom across the gym with my face burning and my hands sweating. Looking at my reflection my arms and face were completely red. After I freshened up, I couldn't even speak right. I stepped out of the restroom and I immediately found him walking around and I just stood there mesmerized by his presence and looking at him for I don't know how long. When he finally saw me, I couldn't stop trembling. He licked his lips and smiled as he was cutting through the crowd not leaving his eyes from mine.
However in the end, we didn't end up together, I lost touch with him. But every time I listen to this song I think of that unforgettable night. Music is supposed to move you at a time of crisis or bliss. That is when you know the music is raw and real when it touches the right spot in your soul.

brooke's second channel

3y↑15

Whenever I'm with him
Something inside
Starts to burning
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
Burning in my heart (It's like a heat wave)
I can't keep from crying (It's like a heat wave)
It's tearing me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet, and plain
Right then, right there, I feel that burning 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
Burning in my heart (It's like a heat wave)
I can't keep from crying (It's like a heat wave)
It's tearing me apart
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, heat wave
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, 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 feeling has me amazed
Don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(But it's all right, girl)
Oh
(Go ahead, girl)
Yeah, yeah
(Well, it's all right, girl)
Oh
(Can't miss it, that's love, girl)
I feel it burning
(Don't pass up this chance)
Right here in my heart
(It sounds like a true romance)
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Yeah, don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Burning right here (Burning, burning, burning)
In my heart (Burning, burning, burning)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)

Bruce Wayne

4y↑13

Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And i Filled with Desire
Could it be that I'm very sentimental
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I feel, yeah I feel
I feel this burning flame
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Just give me another chance
This could be a new romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave

All comments from YouTube:

Carl The Brit in The Philippines

3y↑435

This is totally awesome...

Tom Bergere

@Sacha Dodds, I`m sorry, I don`t know what you mean... What?

Gloria Bass

The Waysul

Loved it since 1993

Tom Bergere

11w

@Sacha Dodds, I don`t know what that means. Don`t you think they`re the greatest? What evidence do you have to support your hypothesis?

Tlemi Nedi

12w

@Tom Bergere q

10 More Replies...

Teresa Robinson

18w↑127

Who Is Still Listening To "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas" In 2022

Sander Wieringa

I AM ❤❤

EMPOWER LOVE GROW

ME!!!!!

Sophie Mcgarity

Anyone with good taste.

prefab 83

Me!!!!

e. priest

Oh yeah

13 More Replies...

Sam middleton

2y↑199

This is one of the songs that will still be talked about in 100 years time, absolutely timeless.

J Gottberg

29w↑1

@YouTube Bannedme It's pretty obvious you've been obsessed with this cut for years. Consumes your thoughts as far as I can tell.

YouTube Bannedme

29w

No I dont think it will sense no one even talks about it now. This is trash.

Janiya Robinson

36w

absolutely! my school did a lip sync contest and our class won with this song. definitely something i will never forget about !

Tariq Shafi

50w↑1

It has already been almost 50 years. I remember this song from when I was a kid, and I was born about 10 years before it came out. It was still very popular back then. I remember it to this day, almost 40 years after I heard it for the first time at 4 or 5 years old.

6 More Replies...

Haley Watterson

2w↑9

Imagine living in an era where the pop music you heard on the radio was this damn good.

bill smallwood

And, we had a ton of them, this good and better......wow, what an era...........

TheeMimiDeshun

30w↑16

This’ll always be me and my mums song. I lost her last year. Now when I play this song I’ll always think of my lady. I miss you🙏🏽

MrByaeger

45w↑12

Most people don't realize how very ,VERY hard it is to get this level of upbeat happiness and joy onto a recording in a way people can feel it. It takes having all the elements in place . From the writers to the producers to the players and singers. Make sure to see "Standing in The Shadow of Motown" if any of you haven't. It really adds an important backstory to all these great Motown hits.

50Emerald

9y↑80

"Heatwave," in my opinion, is the greatest song ever to come out of Motown -- released during an actual heat wave in August, 1963 -- I remember it well from that wonderful summer...

Armando Gonzalez

I agree!!!

Enrico Suave

5y↑2

You have that right! God bless you for your perspective.

Jared Porikos

love thiiiis sonngngg

lnpsych1

6y↑2

That, and ''Can I get a Witness' (MARVIN GAYS' FIRST HIT AFTER SUCCESSIVE FAILURES), same year...!

jennifur sun

+Omega21456 sure were

2 More Replies...

Apollo Solo

27w↑11

That old Motown magic lives forever. Thanks for posting!

Jo John

6y↑22

Martha & the Vandellas - Heatwave Real girl music and millions of times better then the mind melt junk of today

Jo John

6y↑2

Yeah not GMO junk music ran thru a solfware based program.

Donna

yepps

Jo John

6y↑1

I agree

Donna

6y↑1

not all this generation is mind melting crap

LITTLE RICHIE

2y↑33

Probably one of the greatest Motown songs ever recorded.

Daniel Miller

49w↑15

One of the greatest female soul songs ever recorded …Beyoncé,Rihanna. and Arianna Grande are amateur hour compared to these women…😎

bx8garageman

3y↑19

Why can't we make great music like this anymore?!

Dinah Morris

3y↑1

we can still enjoy them now- modern music has good stuff tho- country, alternative- explore MORE! maybe???

eugene robinson

1y↑9

I have always love the beginning before they start to sing. I play it over and over.

Karen Delhove

52w↑6

What's not to like...bloody brilliant...before my time...and still ...can't explain it...like a heatwave...such excellence!

Michael Church

2y↑19

I wasn’t there but the 60s were a great time for music. It’s hard to argue it wasn’t the best decade for music worldwide.

BrianRocks

2y↑1

The rock and roll era of the 60s was big, fun and dancing

m s

3y↑17

I wasn’t born in the ‘60s but I do remember hearing these beautiful women on the oldies station growing up. One of my favorite all female groups.

Thomas Power

3y↑3

Same! I remember a few years back making a "holiday cd" for a car journey me, my parents, siblings and uncle were going on. This was number 1!

Flowers4848

46w↑10

I remember my mother (RIP) playing this when it came out, I was barely 4 years old.

NONEXISTENT

15w↑7

My heart and soul are still young, oh my goodness, I remember hearing this at a party when I was 13!! Music takes you back like no other medium. 🦋

Cissy2cute

4w↑1

And that is actually true. In the brain, music and memory resides side by side.

Teresa Thayn

45w↑7

Takes me right back! Some of my first black music and I still love it!!

Stefan c

27w↑10

I'm 23 and now that I feel like my music taste is maturing, I really do appreciate the 60s 70s 80s vibes

khem127

8y↑4

Electrifying!! So much energy in this song, it's amazing!! No matter what your age makes you want to get up and dance.

YCO Z

9w↑5

Those background vocals are everything.

Have A Great Day Monique, Smile!

35w↑7

Reminds me of my childhood in the 80’s waking up on a Saturday with my grandma, nana Betty, cooking the grandchildren breakfast 🍳 while drinking a beer and she has this record on, volume turned up.

Rachel hernandez

5y↑12

Heatwave gives me the chills loveeee it

robloxglowiee

41w↑5

Love a lot of Motown songs, but this is has got to be one of my favourites.

Ozzie

8y↑35

I love this. This song has that old school touch to it, so filled with soul. I have such an old soul. This is coming from a 25 year old. This song still sounds great in 2015 :)

Keith Beard

7y↑4

Its my favorite Motown song.

TheZeno4444

7y↑9

@Ozzie Williams This song will sound great forever!!!! 15 when it came out. It's Martha and it's all good.

Michael David

3y↑18

Holland-Dozier-Holland are the greatest songwriting trio that's ever lived. God bless Berry Gordy for Motown as well.

Steve Richter

2y↑10

One of Motown's best ever, to these ears...Heard it first on CKLW, I believe, in the trunk of a GTO, on the way to the drive in theater on Cleveland's East Side , circa 1967. All the older siblings we had (and there were many) certainly provided a rich musical background for all their 'little brothers', from Elvis and the British invasion, The Godfather Of Soul, Hendrix to Davis and Coltrane, Dylan to Zeppelin, Liverpool to London, New York to San Francisco, Memphis to Motown...too young to appreciate it at the time, but now old enough to be grateful to have had such a vast musical landscape. We were fortunate, indeed, and thanks to technology, still so, methinks...

D 1

The music in the late 50s and throughout the 60s and 80s are the best almost 3 decades

AYANO

4y↑8

Martha Reeves has an amazing voice!! I wish I could sing like her!!!!

Vito The Pizza Guy

AYANO had... She lost her voice big time

Calvin Jackson

1y↑5

You have great taste if you dig this song by Martha and the group. Man it was blasting on the radio in 1963 and 1964. When Quicksand came out that was like a second ocean wave. The airways blasted again with Quicksand. The beat was incredible just like Heatwave. Martha, Rosalind and Betty nailed these two songs to wall. They should be gold or even platinum because they are both iconic for the group and to me, the crowning achievement of this girl group.

TIN - PAN - ALLEY 1951

Don't forget Wild One

AnOne78

7y↑3

Good ol' fashioned music. This will always be a great song.

Ernest Godin

3y↑18

Still a great song in 2019

ken millwall1885

3y↑1

You can't beat motown it gets into your soul if you ain't moving to this you must be dead

Christian Marsden

2y↑8

If you listen closely Martha Reeve's singing in this is absolutely incredible.

Wobbler tv

22w↑11

The greatest female motown group . ...tonsils touched by god 😊

No

6y↑9

Alan Kohn

41w↑7

The intro is like a rocket soaring through space. Engages the listener with its total immediacy. DJs always talked over it, which annoyed me no end.

MJ

1y↑3

Heard this song for the first time in 2004 working at a grocery store as a college freshman and it has burned into my psyche ever since such a classic timeless song with impassioned vocals...love it then as I do now! 🔥

lindsey lefrois

4y↑5

This song will be a hit forever .....

Steve Richter

3y↑9

If this isn't the best of Motown, I don't know what is - all the right ingredients at the right time - what a classic...

D Me

The Supremes were the glamour female group of Motown, but tgis was the soul. Those first few bars are unforgettable.

jennifur sun

the Funks just Rock on this time and so does Martha

Lizard Lady

2y↑7

I was young when rap came up and coming but nothing got my heart a thumping like music like this!

Kristina Fisher

4y↑16

A very fitting song for this week! 🌡️💦☀️ #HeatWave2018

Elizabeth r

yup

crazyman8472

4y↑1

Kristina Fisher Same here! 🔥

Jaquavius Brooks

52w↑8

them background vocals 😍😍

Knock Nevis

3y↑8

1st time I heard this song was in the movie backdraft as a child!
As an adult flying into the desert heat for mission deployments, we'd blast this over our comms and jam out until 1mike out! Miss it!🖤🖤

Jett Carlburg

3y↑12

There is no way in HELL you can listen to this song without getting up on your feet and DANCING!!!!!

duprez2

3y↑2

I feel like getting in the ring and dancing like Ali during the 60s when I hear this song.

Johnny Lane

1y↑3

Sometimes you just gotta go back in time and appreciate the beautiful music and the beautiful masterminds who blessed us with this timeless masterpiece. Thank you Motown

wen B

5y↑3

The wonderful and beautiful sound of motown. 🙌🎵💛

Rebecca Hurst

12w↑4

Getting to watch these lovely ladies perform this song and dancing in the streets as a teenager in 1995 is one of my best memories.

LayLay Russell

7y↑5

Don't ask me why I have been singing this song in my head all day (even through the training that I had to attend for work today). I just wished that I could've burst out dancing. Too bad I don't feel that way about anyone. LOL

Just Delestine

8w↑6

i remember hearing this in the mall, i wasn't even trying to help my mom shop anymore, i was just straight up swaying everywhere

Fabricio Correia

Adoro essa música! Muito bom o seu playlist !

Vito The Pizza Guy

4y↑13

50 years and still better then anything

Imani M

4y↑1

Anything out today for sure!

Marion Wilson

3y↑7

Music can take us through a lot of times. 👍.

jon

Good times that is : )

freeguy77

2y↑9

Although released in July 1963, it had nothing to do with the weather! Although pitched to the girl's feelings, it just as easily influenced us guys in our budding feelings about the other gender, in our pre-teen days! I first heard it in late-Aug. 1963, and it made a strong impact, even when it was an R&B song, but was one of the first of that genre to cross over to my pop singles radio station. An easy #1 (4 weeks) on the R&B chart, but with its strong #4 pop singles (Hot 100) peak, and #32 overall in 1963 for pop singles, it made Motown the force it was to become for both genres over the next decade. At that time, I was also enjoying Jan & Dean's great #1 "Surf City" which was not applicable in surfing where I lived. But the hook of "two girls for every guy" along with the obvious fun song it is, was another 'up' song that made it unforgettable. And then the next month was "Heat Wave," pre-Beatles (for US) was the most exciting song I had ever heard, along with "Surf City!" Today, 57 years later (Oct. 2020), it remains as memorable, fresh, exciting, and impossible to resist in hearing it again! One of the greatest songs ever made, and gave Martha and her Vandellas their true breakthrough hit after "Come and Get These Memories" from earlier in 1963. "Heat Wave" is a true classic, and will never be forgotten on its impact to Motown, and the explosive growth and influence on Rock 'n' Roll and culture!

61dodgelancer

freeguy77, thanks for your excellent post. Yeah, as you wrote, "Heat Wave" had nothing to do with the weather. My favorite single from the "Girl Groups" era. It holds up well and still rocks today.

Beta Ray Bill

9y↑11

Just watched "Drifters" on E4 and this was the end track. Martha's got one of the best voices in the biz. Classic Motown.

TheOldrecordclub

9y↑11

Yeah great voice, and some of the best music ever songs recorded was on the Motown label....

Samuel Griffin

3y↑7

Motown does one amazing job putting all the best music together

Samuel Griffin

3y↑3

Miss the summer of early 60s

Peter Cooper

3y↑9

Thank you, James Jamerson, for the most amazing licks that inspired me to play the bass guitar. RIP, Brother...

jennifur sun

my fav of his was Going To A Go Go wish I could have heard one of their sessions live

BrianRocks

2y↑9

This song is a masterpiece, motown sound influenced by rock and roll from the 50s without a doubt, one of the best dance songs this is a peak in popular music

Steven Eaton

7y↑1

This is a great song. It was decades before my time, but I was raised on oldies and classic rock. That's what my mom and dad listened to, and as far back as I can remember I've loved that old music. There's just something about it.. it has a sound that's timeless, a sound that instantly makes you happy. Nothing the "musicians" of today make could ever compare it.

Peter Cooper

4y↑3

One of my faves from Martha Reeves and The Vandellas that always brings me tears of joy every time I hear it. I learned to play the bass by listening to James Jamerson's hot licks back in the mid 1960s - I owe that man a lot. Rest in Peace, Brother...

Snapepet

4y↑9

Born in 1970; this song almost makes me choke up, it's so perfect. It's bouncy, it's sweet. It's PURE. It's HAPPY. Love you, time I barely saw.

Ju ju

4y↑8

2018 & I'm still blasting this n my car and house

GrtSatan

3y↑3

The perfect synthesis of passion and soul. Unsurpassed to this day.

ElimExperience

1y↑6

the Funk Brothers strike again!!!
responsible for countless Motown hits including this one! 🔥 🔥 🔥

ginny white

51w

oh amen

Mark Rangel

1y↑8

My mom filmed a home video of my dad holding me as a baby in 1992 as he danced to this beautiful song, he was pretty buzzed haha. I love my parents and how cool their generation was and still is. Memory I am glad they filmed and music I am grateful they introduced me too.

brooke's second channel

3y↑15

J Dizzle

3y↑7

I love old music like this.

Wilford Fraser

4y↑11

After all these years I never get tired of listening to this song

lindsey lefrois

This song will be a hit forever ......

Cole Leyden

4y↑1

I don’t think anyone can get tired of this. This is when music was good!

Joseph Kane

4y↑1

Same here

jennifur sun

one of my fav Funk Brothers tunes, they just ROCK with her

clarkewi

2y↑3

One of the greatest tracks of all time.

Iris Cooper

3y↑3

TheOldrecordclub, thanks a million for sharing all this wonderful music. It's not like a 'heat wave' for it even goes beyond that throughout the country. Stay cool everyone. I truly did Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.

Jonathan Rivera

5y↑9

wow nothing
else to express

good music

MeanPoopy

3y↑5

Beautiful song! It feels soooo good.. I feel it in my bones

Kate Quinn

4y↑6

I never get tired of this record... ever

Susan Switzer

2y↑3

Will the kids dance to it? You bet they will!!! Thank you Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

B3ckyx G

1y↑2

Ah me and my friend use to play this when we was about 17. I'm now 30, we have both moved on with our lives,but the memory I have of this song when we use to dance around, is still there.

Wykidajło 1910

50w↑2

Piękny utwór

Gary Alphonso Hennessy

4y↑9

Always brings a tear of joy to my eyes

Karn allsop

Mine too!?!? That's what you call MUSIC !! 🎶🎵🎤👍😘

Gary Alphonso Hennessy

oh yes , Anne Sexton , Since you've been Gone is a Another

kay sweets 0_0 fortnite🙂

4y↑1

Thats good music....it hits the soul for u Gary

Stella Ercolani

4y↑7

What a classic!

Patrice-Maria Love

8y↑1

This is the best record they made! It was number 1 for 5 weeks on WVON in Chicago!

Robert Moir

46w↑10

oldies but goodies indeed

Charles Tomasino

10w↑4

Love this tune

GrtSatan

5y↑1

This great song brings chills up my spine and tears down my face.

Terrance Martindale

43w↑6

Pure genius

Grahame Green

2y↑4

What a fantastic facility is YouTube... Allowing us all to hear one of the greatest intro's in music, without gibberish radio DJ's ruining it!

robert graham

3y↑4

OMG I loved this group ...I was 13 when this come out and still put this song in my top ten i'm stil in a heat wave after all these years ...Wonderful Martha & The Vandellas

Bruce Wayne

4y↑13

Bruce Wayne

@Steve20127 ty

Steve20127

3y↑1

Filled with Desire.

OKtennisfan

11y

Wonderful song Carl ! Really upbeat and a great dancing tune ! :) Thank you so much for posting !

Craig Nehring

2y↑8

YES
Y E S
Simply THE best... Love being thirteen years old and this tune jamming the AM broadcast band. Nothing like hearing this on a car radio from a 50,000 watt radio transmitter
I can (and did) dig it

Steve Richter

Yes, Indeed, brother...CKLW?????

arthur daniels

28w↑5

I always say I was born to late this is what you call music not the fake auto tune music that's out now real talent my god

Serena Jeschel M. Libo-on

2y↑3

Love this song!!!! ✨

rickysavesparagain

3y↑9

Hot damn, this song just gets my foot tapping no matter how hard I try to fight it.

Michael Richard

4y↑7

just an awesome classic :)

NHMO OYTIS

3y↑2

Love this song! And everything else by Martha & The Vandellas! Motown rocked!

Cheryl Maroz

5y↑2

I performed this with three other girlies, and we did the arm movements, and loved the song all three of us.. cheers for this great sound.

trfesok

8y↑1

Such a happy tune, The Who tried this out twice -- 1st during the "My Generation" album sessions, and then redid it on their 2nd LP. "A Quick One". They just couldn't cut it! I put all 3 in my "My Generation" playlist. Thanks for uploading!

Robert Gillespie

7y↑19

They were SO much better than The Supremes". Martha ROCKED.

TheZeno4444

7y↑5

@Jeff ory How true. At 2:04 she kicks into high gear and leaves all others in the dust. Yeah, yeah,yeah, yeah......

Joseph Fitzsimmons

2y↑2

This is a great remaster. Really does it justice.

Jasmine Mazie

4y↑5

Mom was 4 years old when this song came out just an kid as of today she still remember this song in her 50's many years has went by when this song was made.

Jack Walsh

8w↑3

It's like a heatwave ❤️

LilRiverRascal

Great memories! I remember playing in the fire hydrant water in the 80's and songs like these would come on and we'd all be dancing, singing and making memories that would plague us into adulthood. ;-)

mort snerd

34w↑14

This has to be played at maximum volume.

Marc Greenhill-Jeffery

22w

@Jason Guzman I know, right?

Jason Guzman

22w↑1

@Marc Greenhill-Jeffery 😄😀😀😁

Marc Greenhill-Jeffery

22w↑1

@Jason Guzman Let me put it like this: "I can't explain it, don't understand it, I ain't never felt like this before"

Jason Guzman

22w

what is it about this song that makes you want to play it at maximum volume?

Door Kicker

32w↑3

Absolutely if I had a radio that could go to eleven….I would try for fifteen 😁

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