Heatwave
Martha Lyrics


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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)

Overall Meaning

"Heatwave" by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas is a love song that personifies the heat and passion of love as an actual heat wave that engulfs the singer. The song talks about the physical and emotional impact of love on the heart and mind of the singer. The lyrics suggest a deep passionate love that takes over the singer and makes her feel like she is burning with desire. She questions whether this feeling is a natural part of love or is it something devilish inside her that attracts her to this man.


The song uses intense imagery and personifies love as a heat wave that causes tears in her eyes. She experiences an overwhelming sensation when her lover calls her name, her heart burns with a desire that she can't control, and it's tearing her apart. She feels like she's in a daze and can't explain the feeling. The chorus repeats the metaphor of the heat wave, emphasizing the idea that love is an all-consuming force that takes over every part of us. The lyrics suggest that this feeling is too strong to ignore or resist and the singer has no choice but to give in to it.


Line by Line Meaning

Whenever I'm with him
Every time I'm around him


Something inside
An indescribable feeling within me


Starts to burning
Begins to ignite


And I'm filled with desire
I want him so badly


Could it be a devil in me
Is this feeling sinful?


Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Maybe this is what love should feel like


It's like a heat wave
It's overwhelming


Burning in my heart (it's like a heat wave)
I feel it in my chest


I can't keep from crying (it's like a heat wave)
Sometimes it makes me cry


It's tearing me apart
It's ripping my heart out


Whenever he calls my name
Whenever he speaks to me


Soft, low, sweet, and plain
His voice is gentle and calm


Right then, right there, I feel that burning flame
The feeling immediately comes back


Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Is this medically concerning?


Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Maybe this is what love is


Sometimes I stare in space
I get lost in thought


Tears all over my face
I cry often


I can't explain it, don't understand it
I don't know why I feel this way


I ain't never felt like this before
I've never experienced this type of feeling


Now that funny feeling has me amazed
This strange sensation is incredible


Don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
I don't know how to handle this


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (But it's all right, girl)
It's okay, everything will work out


Oh (Go ahead, girl)
Keep going with it


Yeah, yeah (Well, it's all right, girl)
Everything is going to be okay


Oh (Can't miss it, that's love, girl)
This is love


I feel it burning
I feel it so strongly


Right here in my heart
I feel it deeply


Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
It's powerful


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Intense, passionate feelings


Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
On fire


Yeah, don't you know it's like a heat wave?
It's overwhelming


Burning right here (Burning, burning, burning)
Burning strongly in my heart


In my heart (Burning, burning, burning)
Deeply felt


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Intensely passionate feelings


Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Overwhelming and powerful




Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@no7734

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.



@josemunozrojas1681

- Heatwave! 🎶
- Good night, ladies and gentlemen
- Heatwave! 🎶
- You don't give a shit
- Heatwave! 🎶
- Let's get the hell outta here
- HEATWAVE!!! 🎶🎶🎶

😅😅😅 Absolutely out of the blue... I ADORE THIS SONG!!! 👏🏻👏🏻💫💫💫💜



All comments from YouTube:

@ABritInThePhilippines

This is totally awesome...

@drivinsouth651

They are the hottest girls in rock and Motown and they are the heatwave! Absolutely, fabulous! Mucho Caliente! Thanks for posting!

@billytaylor8154

They be jumping.

@user-gj7tc6gt2p

Thanks for using the word "awesome". I feel it's not used enough these days...

@nativegemini81

Same here!

@anapittre9147

@@drivinsouth651

23 More Replies...

@sammiddleton6619

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

@purpledragon115

It isn't even talked about today

@ElronHumpperdink

NoMercy edgy response

@richardpetrey1400

Amen!!!! They don’t make them like this anymore!!!!!!!!!!

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