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.
Dancing in the Street
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ 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 (dancing in the street)
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
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
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.
Here are some interesting facts you might want to know about "Dancing in the Street":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
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
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)
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 …
Hans G
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.
Nick Wride
The Motown Sound will live for a long time.
cleaningtim
I could not agree more!
Ulla Olsson
Dude, you have good taste❤
Niki G
Hard to exaggerate and hard to describe. Motown is forever.
Ro Ro
They were literally singing for our civil rights. ❤️
Deb Crockett
I think they were singing about freedom in America & fun in the Summertime..NO POLITICS!
D Filice
There is someone to politically charge every subject.
LexLuger34
Lol, it's literally what they were singing about. The song was a euphemism for civil rights rallies happening at the time. 😅 Almost 60 years later and most people are still clueless. America treated black Americans like shit for a very long time, face it, it did happened. Want to fix it? Then fix it. It's not political, it's factual.
cressa pellom
@Deb Crockettuh no. It was about civil rights. A simple Google search will tell you that.