Dancing In The Streets
Martha Reevesยฐ Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets
They're dancin' in Chicago, down in New Orleans
Up in New York City

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the streets

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
There'll be dancin'
They're dancin' in the street

This is an invitation across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughin' and singin' and music swingin'
And dancin' in the streets

Philadelphia, PA
(Philadelphia, PA)
Baltimore and DC now
(Baltimore and DC now)
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City
(Can't forget the Motor City)

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the street, yeah

Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy grasp a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dancin'
They're dancin' in the streets

Philadelphia, PA
(Philadelphia, PA)
Baltimore and DC now
(Baltimore and DC now)
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City
(Can't forget the Motor City)

All the way down in L.A. California
Not to mention Halifax Nova Scotia




Manchester
Alexandria, Virginia, Virginia

Overall Meaning

The song Dancing In The Streets by Martha Reeves was released in 1964 during the civil rights movement in the United States. The song's lyrics call out to people around the world to come together and dance in the streets, which symbolized unity, celebration, and freedom. The song mentions various cities in America, from New York City to New Orleans, all the way to California, and even Canada. The theme of the song is not only about music and dance but also about people of different backgrounds coming together, forgetting about their differences, and just having a good time.


The song emphasizes the power of music and how it can bring people together. The lyrics indicate that people are invited to come and dance, regardless of what they wear or their social status, they just need to join the celebration. The song was played during civil rights protests and rallies, and it became a symbol of the movement. However, the song's success goes beyond politics and has become a timeless classic that people still dance to today.


Line by Line Meaning

Callin' out around the world
This is a song that is calling out to all the people from different parts of the world to listen and participate in the new beat.


Are you ready for a brand new beat?
This song is meant to present a new and improved beat that people may not have heard before.


Summer's here and the time is right
The song is meant to be played during summer when the weather is just right.


For dancin' in the streets
This song is made for people to dance in the streets when it's played.


They're dancin' in Chicago, down in New Orleans
The song is already being danced to by people from Chicago to New Orleans.


Up in New York City
The song and its new beat are also being played in New York City for people to dance to.


All we need is music, sweet music
The singer emphasizes that all they need is music to produce this new beat and play the song for the people to dance to.


There'll be music everywhere
The song is meant to be played everywhere, no matter where you are, people can listen to and enjoy it.


There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
The people dancing to the song will be swaying left and right and the record will be playing loudly.


And dancin' in the streets
The song is intended to be played in an outdoor environment where people can dance in the streets without the constraints of a building.


Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
You can wear any clothes you want when you dance to this new beat.


Just as long as you are there
As long as you're there, it doesn't matter who you are or what you wear, you're welcome to join in the fun.


So come on, every guy grab a girl
The singer invites guys to grab a girl to dance with them to the new beat of the song.


Everywhere around the world
The song is being played everywhere in the world for people to enjoy and dance to.


There'll be dancin'
The people dancing to this new beat will enjoy themselves and have a good time.


This is an invitation across the nation
The song is meant for everyone in the country to hear, regardless of where they are.


A chance for the folks to meet
The song is an opportunity for people from different parts of the country to connect and meet each other.


There'll be laughin' and singin' and music swingin'
People will have a good time, laugh, sing along and dance to this new beat of the song.


Philadelphia, PA
The singer mentions Philadelphia, PA as a place where the song is played and danced to.


(Philadelphia, PA)


Baltimore and DC now
Other cities like Baltimore and Washington D.C are also enjoying this new beat and dancing to the song.


(Baltimore and DC now)


Yeah, don't forget the Motor City
People in the Motor City (Detroit) are also dancing to the beat of this song.


(Can't forget the Motor City)


All the way down in L.A. California
People in Los Angeles, California are enjoying this new beat and are dancing to the song.


Not to mention Halifax Nova Scotia
The singer also mentions that people from Halifax, Nova Scotia are also dancing to this new beat.


Manchester
People in Manchester are also enjoying this new beat and the song.


Alexandria, Virginia, Virginia
The singer mentions Alexandria, Virginia as another location where this song is being played and enjoyed by people.




Contributed by Sophia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Baddie Mauve

[Verse 1]
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
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City

[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere

There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
It's just an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for folks to meet

There'll be laughing
Singing
Music swinging
Dancing in the street

Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore and D.C. now
Can't forget the Motor City

[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere

There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street

[Chorus]
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
Dancing
They're dancing in the street

Way down in L.A
Every day
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue
Me and you
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)



The Quiet Revolution

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)

This is 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
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swing, 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)



All comments from YouTube:

loveloses

this song has SOO much energy! STILL rocks today!

Marjery Baxter

This song is why my mum fell in love with Northern Soul... I chose this as her last song on her celebration of life
All colours... " doesn't matter what you wear as long as you are there"
Her music taste lives on in me โค๏ธ R.I.P my Brown eyed girl

Cindy Pollack

She has the very great taste in music

Mike Listman

I remember summer of 64 in Detroit when I was 11...the opening horn section fanfare blew us away. Pounding Motown rythym section on which lofted the sweet voice of Martha Reeves giving young folks this universal sense of community...doesn't matter what you wear, just as long as you are there!

Freedom Ain't Free

Highland Park here. These songs have become the soundtrack to our lives. CKLW!.....The Motor city!

Ana Seymour

seems so much fun... I was born in 2002

Stevie Mckinney

This song always gets me in good moods and makes me wanna dance ๐Ÿ•บ in the streets in a huge City!!!

Rebecca Gremillion

Loved seeing these beautiful ladies in 1995 as a teenager. Will always love their voices.

EPtunes

One of my favorites. I remember dancing to it as a little kid. Thank goodness for older sisters.

Black Man Rising

That kick-ass drum and base line never ever gets old, especially toward the end! Straight fire!

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