Dancing In the Street
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics


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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 (sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (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 (sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swinging, swaying (swaying)
And records playing (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

Overall Meaning

The legendary song "Dancing in the Street" by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas was a revolutionary track that expressed joy and unity that comes with music and dancing. The lyrics describe the excitement and energy that music brings to cities worldwide, from Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., and down to L.A. The song portrays an invitation from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to people around the world, asking them to join them in dancing in the street, regardless of what they wear. It emphasizes the power of music to bring everyone together and create a sense of community that transcends geography and race.


The song was written by Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter, and produced by Stevenson. Released in 1964, "Dancing in the Street" peaked to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 list, and number one on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. The song became a huge hit in the US, UK, and other parts of the world, and over the years, it has become a cultural classic. It has been widely covered by various artists and frequently used in movies, TV shows, and commercials.


Line by Line Meaning

Calling out around the world
Announcing to the entire world


Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Are you prepared for an exciting, fresh rhythm?


Summer's here and the time is right
Summer season has arrived, and it's an ideal time


For dancing in the street
For dancing with others outside, without a care in the world


They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
People in Chicago are dancing in public


Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
People in New Orleans are dancing in public


In New York City (dancing in the street)
People in New York City are dancing in public


All we need is music, sweet music (sweet, sweet, sweet music)
Good music is sufficient to make us joyful


There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
Music will be present in many places


There'll be swinging, swaying
Everyone will sway in rhythm and groove with the music


And records playing
Recorded music will also be playing


Dancing in the street, oh
Dancing freely in public


It doesn't matter what you wear
Clothes are not important


Just as long as you are there
What really matters is your presence


So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Men, go and get a woman to dance with


Everywhere around the world
Every corner of the world


They'll be dancing (dancing in the street)
People will be dancing


This is an invitation across the nation
Everyone is invited to join in


A chance for folks to meet
A chance for people to connect


There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
People will be happy, singing and dancing with the rhythm


Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
In Philadelphia, people are dancing in public


Baltimore and D.C., now (dancing in the street)
In Baltimore and Washington DC, people are dancing in public


Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
We can't forget to mention Detroit where people are also dancing in public


Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
In Los Angeles, people are dancing in public


Every day, they're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Every day, people are dancing in public


Let's form a big, strong line (dancing in the street)
Let's all come together to form a strong, united group and dance in public


Get in time, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Let's get in sync with each other and dance in public


Across the ocean blue (dancing in the street)
Even across the vast ocean blue, people are dancing in public


Me and you, we're dancing in the street
Both of us are dancing happily in public




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@baddiemauve4958

[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)



@SilverBreeze22

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
(sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There’ll be music everywhere (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)

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. (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
(sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There’ll be music everywhere (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’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)
Yeah …



All comments from YouTube:

@xavirayuela9714

So many years later...it still almost brings you to tears...they're way good!

@peteranserin3708

Grow a pair, will ya?

@sitarnut

Dude, it did bring me to tears.. we saw them on American Bandstand... really miss those times. Remember, there was a new "Top 40" tunes list every week playing on the radio.

@jacquelynbolden2268

It brings you to your feet!

@classicalaid1

@@jacquelynbolden2268......dancing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@hansg6336

It's hard to exaggerate how much influence the Motown sound has had on American pop music. Great stuff to listen to a thousand years from now.

@nickwride2023

The Motown Sound will live for a long time.

@cleaningtim

I could not agree more!

@biskopBrask

Dude, you have good taste❤

@nikig2382

Hard to exaggerate and hard to describe. Motown is forever.

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