Heat Wave
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Whenever I'm with him (ooh),
Something inside (inside)
Stars to burnin' (ooh)
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
Burnin' in my heart (like a heat wave)
It's tearin' me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet and plain,
I feel, yeah, well,
I feel that burnin' 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
Burnin' in my heart (like a heat wave)
I can't keep from cryin' (like a heat wave)
It's tearin' me apart
(Ooooh, oooh, heat wave)
(Ooooh, oooh, 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 feelin' has me amazed
I don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Well, it's alright, girl)
Whoa-ho yeah
(Go ahead, girl)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Well, it's alright, girl)
Ho yeah
(Ain't nothin' but love, girl)
Don't pass up this chance
It sounds like true romance
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
(repeat and fade out)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Levine, James Valentine, Jesse Royal Carmichael, Mickey Madden, Ryan Michael Dusick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - Single Version
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & 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" Read Full BioMartha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & 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.
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & 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" Read Full BioMartha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & 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.
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officialmacmillan
love this tune so much. whenever i listen to it i wanna dance, break up everything and just party around, kissin and feelin free. love the energy!
TheShaman74
what a masterpiece ..... 60s is my favourite decade in music
50Emerald
As a 61-year-old, I say that this is the finest song ever to come out of Motown -- just *love* it! It was released in August, 1963, during a real heat wave!
Antônio Carlos Guimarães
Gostei demais, aliás músicas antigas é comigo mesmo.
Wolf251982
This is definately a great song to end the summer with!
artistsixteen
This music makes me feel forever young!!!!Thats powerful,Thank You Barry Gordy
Aurum_H2
Two dislikes? how the heck can you dislike Martha Reeves and the Vandellas? this is real music right here!
mkl62
A #1 hit for Martha and The Vandellas on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It was the 117th #1 R&B song of the Rock Era. It also hit #4 on the Top 40 charts. And this new record company, Motown, was gaining steam.
Xtra BaSe HitZ
one of if not the best intro to any song ever
Joe Hylton
First concert I ever went to ... September 1969, Stevie Wonder supported by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas at Hammersmith Odeon. I was a 13 year old boy from Shepherds Bush, the music sent shivers up and down my spine and I've never forgotten it to this day! I think me and my mate paid 50p each to get in - That was the day I fell in love with Tamla Motown .... and my feelings haven't changed!