Heatwave
Martha & The Vandellas Lyrics


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Heat wave
Heat wave

Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And my heart's filled with fire
Could 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

Sometimes she 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

Overall Meaning

The song Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas is a classic R&B tune that captures the intense emotional experience of being in love. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional sensations that the singer experiences whenever she is with her lover. The title “Heat wave” itself is a metaphor for the intensity of these sensations, conveying the idea that her love is so intense that it feels like a heat wave overtaking her.


The opening lines of the song have the singer describing the physical sensations that she experiences whenever she is with her lover. She says that “something inside starts to burn deep” and that her “heart’s filled with fire”. These lines capture the intensity of the passion that she feels, and it’s clear that this is not a casual feeling for her. She then wonders whether this intensity is just a result of her being sentimental or if it’s the way love is supposed to feel. This suggests that this is a new experience for her, and she is trying to make sense of these intense emotions.


As the song continues, the singer describes how her lover’s voice makes her feel and how she can’t explain this burning sensation she feels. She describes feeling like she’s on fire and that this high blood pressure has a hold on her. All of these lines capture the intense emotional experience of being in love, and how it can feel all-consuming and overwhelming.


Overall, Heat Wave is a song that perfectly captures the raw intensity of falling in love. The lyrics are simple, but convey the depth of the emotions that the singer is experiencing.


Line by Line Meaning

Heat wave
The intense, sustained hot weather being experienced is referred to as a heat wave.


Whenever I'm with you
The presence of the person being addressed is acknowledged as the moment of reference for the following statements.


Something inside
The person is aware of internal sensations.


Starts to burn deep
The internal sensations are associated with heat.


And my heart's filled with fire
The sensation of heat is equated to a burning flame filling the artist's heart.


Could be that I'm very sentimental
The singer suggests that the cause of their intense emotional reaction could be due to their sentimental disposition.


Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
The singer is questioning whether the intensity of their feelings is simply how love is supposed to feel or if there is some other explanation.


I got a heat wave
The internal sensation of heat is emphasized as a recurring experience.


Burning in my heart
The sensation of heat is specifically located in the artist's heart.


I can't keep from crying
The intensity of the sensation is causing the artist to weep uncontrollably.


Tearing me apart
The intensity of the emotion and sensation is causing great distress and turmoil within the singer.


Sometimes she calls my name
The artist is acknowledging the physical presence of the person who is causing these intense sensations and emotions.


Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
The singer is at a loss to fully articulate the depth and complexity of their feelings.


I feel, yeah I feel
The singer is emphasizing the immediacy and intensity of their feelings.


I feel this burning flame
The intense sensation of heat and passion is once again being emphasized.


This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
The intensity of the emotion and physical sensation is being compared to high blood pressure, a physical condition that can cause pain and discomfort.


'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
The intensity and complexity of the feelings are acknowledged as being part of the experience of love.


Just give me another chance
The singer is appealing for another opportunity to experience the intense emotions and sensations that come with being in love.


This could be a new romance
The possibility of starting a new relationship is being suggested as a source of hope and excitement.


Oh yeah
An exclamation of excitement and anticipation is made.


Heat wave
The song title is repeated for emphasis and to reinforce the central theme of the song.


Heat wave
The song title is repeated for emphasis and to reinforce the central theme of the song.


Heat wave
The song title is repeated for emphasis and to reinforce the central theme of the song.


Heat wave
The song title is repeated for emphasis and to reinforce the central theme of the song.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER

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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