HeatWave
Martha And The Vandellas - Heatwave (1963) Lyrics
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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
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)
"Heatwave" is a song about the overwhelming feeling of passion and desire. The lyrics describe how being around someone you love can ignite intense emotions, leaving you feeling helpless and unable to resist their pull. The song draws a comparison between this feeling and a scorching heat wave, saying that it burns in the heart and causes tears to flow. The lyrics also suggest that this strong feeling could be caused by either the devil or love. The singer is torn between trying to understand and control their emotions, and surrendering to them completely.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "it's like a heat wave," which serves as a vivid metaphor for the intensity of passion. The use of repetition gives the song a hypnotic quality, echoing the feeling of being consumed by emotion. The verses describe the physical effects of being near the object of one's affection, such as feeling a burning sensation or having tears on the face. The bridge is a call-and-response section where the singer affirms that what they are feeling is love, and that it's okay to let it consume them completely.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I'm with him
Every time I'm in his company
Something inside
An unexplainable feeling within me
Starts to burning
Ignites a fiery passion
And I'm filled with desire
Overwhelmed with intense longing
Could it be a devil in me
Wondering if this feeling is wicked
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Questioning if love is naturally passionate
It's like a heat wave
A wave of intense feeling
Burning in my heart (it's like a heat wave)
A fire spreading through my heart
I can't keep from crying (it's like a heat wave)
Overwhelmed to the point of tears
It's tearing me apart
Causing emotional pain
Whenever he calls my name
Every time he says my name
Soft, low, sweet, and plain
In a gentle, soft, endearing manner
Right then, right there, I feel that burning flame
In that moment, the passionate feeling overtakes me
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Wondering if this feeling could be a medical condition
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Questioning if love is naturally intense
Sometimes I stare in space
Occasionally I zone out
Tears all over my face
Crying uncontrollably
I can't explain it, don't understand it
Unable to comprehend why I feel this way
I ain't never felt like this before
Never had such a passionate feeling
Now that funny feeling has me amazed
Surprised by the intensity of the feeling
Don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
Confused and disoriented
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (But it's all right, girl)
Expressing reassurance that everything is okay
Oh (Go ahead, girl)
Encouraging to continue with the feeling
Yeah, yeah (Well, it's all right, girl)
Reiterating that everything is okay
Oh (Can't miss it, that's love, girl)
Affirming that it is love
I feel it burning
The intense feeling is still there
Right here in my heart
In the core of my being
It sounds like a true romance
This is what genuine love feels like
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Asking if others have felt something similar
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Repeating the metaphor of a burning heat wave
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Further emphasizing the intensity
Yeah, don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Reminding that the feeling is inexplicably passionate
Burning right here (Burning, burning, burning)
Still present, still intense
In my heart (Burning, burning, burning)
Deep within my heart
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Continuing to express the passionate metaphor
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Stressing the intensity once again
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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!!! 👏🏻👏🏻💫💫💫💜
@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
@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!!!!!!!!!!