The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha & 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 Kelley replacing Sterling. In 1967, Kelley was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. 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., however, Reeves still performs with sister Lois and another Reeves sister, Delphine.
Dancing in the Street
Martha & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.
They're dancing in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
In New York City.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing.
They're dancing in the street.
It's an invitation across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
Dancing in the street.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Can't forget the Motor City.
All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They're dancing.
They're dancing in the street.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
They're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
We're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
We're dancing in the street.
The lyrics to Martha & The Vandellas's song Dancing In The Street celebrates the joy of music and dancing, and how it brings people together from different places and backgrounds. The song opens with a call to everyone around the world to get ready for a brand new beat as the summer is here and it's time to dance in the street. The lyrics go on to describe various cities and regions where people are dancing such as Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and D.C, the Motor City, and L.A. The theme of the song is an invitation for everyone to come together and dance, regardless of where they come from, what they wear, or what their circumstances may be.
The lyrics emphasize the universality of music and how it can bring people together. They suggest that music has the power to overcome our differences and to unite us, even if it's just for a night. Perhaps one of the most compelling lines of the song is "All we need is music, sweet music. There'll be music everywhere," which highlights the importance of music in our lives and how it can make everything better.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out around the world,
Spreading the word all over the world,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Are you ready for a new style of music?
Summer's here and the time is right
It's summertime and the perfect time
For dancing in the street.
For everyone to come out and dance in the streets.
They're dancing in Chicago,
People are dancing in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
People are dancing in New Orleans,
In New York City.
People are dancing in New York City.
All we need is music, sweet music.
All we need is good music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There will be music all over.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
There'll be lots of dancing, swaying, and music playing.
Dancing in the street.
Everyone dancing together in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
What you wear doesn't matter.
Just as long as you are there.
As long as you are there, that's all that matters.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Guys, grab a girl and come dance together.
Everywhere around the world
All over the world
They'll be dancing.
Everyone will be dancing.
It's an invitation across the nation,
This is an event for everyone, everywhere.
A chance for folks to meet.
A chance for people to meet each other.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
There will be lots of happiness, singing, and great music.
Philadelphia, P.A.
People are dancing in Philadelphia.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
People are dancing in Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Can't forget the Motor City.
Don't forget about Detroit, the Motor City.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
Even in Los Angeles, people dance every day.
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
Let's line up together and dance in sync.
We're dancing in the street. (Dancing in the street.)
We're all dancing together in the street.
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
Even across the ocean, you and I are dancing.
We're dancing in the street.
We're all dancing together in the street.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FREDERICK YOUNG, BENJAMIN DANIEL WELLS, CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON, JONATHAN MICHAEL LAWHON, RICHARD OREN YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vi Phuong Ngo - Pianist
Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swinging, swaying, and records playing
Dancing in the street
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing (dancing in the street)
They're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
It's an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swinging, swaying, and records playing
Dancing in the street
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They're dancing
They're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
Every day, they're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Let's form a big, strong line (dancing in the street)
Get in time, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue (dancing in the street)
Me and you, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
James Anderson
This song is timeless. You can't help but to get up and dance. I love Marth Reeves and the Vandellas.
golperuano
One of the most infectious and positive tunes ever made. This song is timeless. It will be played by my grandchildren. =)
Gloria A
This music never gets old.
It's Skye
Correct
Mr Hurst
hey 👋how are you doing today??
Grady Hernandez
Never ever ever
Pedro Fora do Eixo
I love this song ♥️🎶
CatStina
My dear friend just passed away at only 37 years old and she loved this song. Listening in her memory in 2021.
Tracee Brandon
Sorry for the loss
DON PAPA | official ch.
Its amazing to remember peoples with songs! Sorry for the loss.