Produced by William "Mickey" Stevenson and written by Stevenson and Marvin Gaye, the song highlighted the concept of having a good time in whatever city the listener lived. The song was conceived by Stevenson who was showing a rough draft of the lyrics to Gaye disguised as a ballad. When Gaye read the original lyrics, however, he said the song sounded more danceable. With Gaye and Stevenson collaborating, the duo composed the single with Kim Weston in mind to record the song. Weston passed on the song and when Martha Reeves came to Motown's Hitsville USA studios, the duo presented the song to Reeves. Hearing Gaye's demo of it, Reeves asked if she could arrange her own vocals to fit the song's message.
Gaye and Stevenson agreed and including new Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter adding in musical composition, the song was recorded in two takes. The interesting loud beat of the drums in its instrumentation can be attributed to Hunter, who banged on a crowbar to add to the drum beat led by Gaye, who was often a drummer on many of Motown's earliest hits.
While produced as an innocent dance single (it became the precursor to the disco movement of the 1970s), the song took on a different meaning when riots in inner-city America led to many young black demonstrators citing the song as a civil rights anthem to social change which also led to some radio stations taking the song off its play list because certain black advocates such as H. Rap Brown began playing the song while organizing demonstrations.
"Dancing in the Street" peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles chart when it was originally released as the group's third album Dance Party's first single in 1964 (see 1964 in music), with "There He Is (at My Door)" included as a B-side. The song also reached the top 5 on the UK pop charts peaking at #4 in a 1969 release after initially peaking at #28 on the chart and helped to revive the Vandellas' success in England.
On April 12, 2006, it was announced that Martha and the Vandellas' version of "Dancing in the Street" would be one of 50 sound recordings preserved by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry. Lead singer Martha Reeves said she was thrilled about the song's perseverance, saying "It's a song that just makes you want to get up and dance".
This version was #40 on the list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.
Dancing In The Street
Martha Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
Martha Reeves's song "Dancing In The Street" was released in 1964 and instantly became a hit. It's an upbeat, energetic dance song that invites people from all over the world to come together and dance with joy. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the universality of dancing and music. The opening lines "Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?" convey the excitement and anticipation that people feel about dancing to a new, groovy beat. The chorus, "All we need is music, sweet music. There'll be music everywhere. They'll be swinging and swaying and records playing, dancing in the street," reinforces this message and encourages people to come together and celebrate life through music and dance.
Throughout the lyrics, Reeves mentions various cities where people are dancing in the streets, including Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., and L.A. The song highlights the unity and joy that music can bring to people from different backgrounds and cities, and emphasizes that the only requirement for joining in the fun is a love for music and dance. The upbeat energy and positivity of "Dancing In The Street" continues to resonate with people today, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out around the world,
Making a proclamation to people globally,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Do you have the eagerness for a fresh rhythm?
Summer's here and the time is right
It's summertime and favorable
For dancing in the street.
To dance outside is the perfect idea
They're dancing in Chicago,
In Chicago, they're dancing
Down in New Orleans,
In New Orleans, they are enjoying
In New York City.
They're having a blast in New York City
All we need is music, sweet music.
All we require is music, pleasant music.
There'll be music everywhere.
Music will be present in all locations.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
People will move rhythmically and songs will play.
Dancing in the street.
Dancing on the roads.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Your attire isn't important
Just as long as you are there.
As long as you take part
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
All males, get a female!
Everywhere around the world
In all corners of the globe
They'll be dancing.
People will be dancing.
It's an invitation across the nation,
It's a request spanning the country,
A chance for folks to meet.
A prospect to socialize.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
People will be laughing, singing, and dancing.
Dancing in the street.
Dancing outdoors.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Baltimore and Washington D.C., presently
Can't forget the Motor City.
Don't overlook the Motor City-Detroit.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
All the time in Los Angeles
They're dancing in the street.
They are dancing outside.
(Dancing in the street.)
Dancing on the roads.
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
Formation of a massive, robust queue, in sync.
We're dancing in the street.
Too, we're dancing outside.
(Dancing in the street.)
(Dancing on the roads.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
You and me over the blue sea
We're dancing in the street.
The two of us are dancing outside.
Lyrics Β© 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
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)
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 β€οΈ 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 πΊ 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!