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
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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 (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 just 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 DC, 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 LA, every day
(Dancing in the street)
They're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
They form a big strong line, get in time
(Dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue, me and you
(Dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street, yeah
(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.
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
@Avery-vl3gk
Oh yes everyone will dancing in the streets. Im a 71 year young black women who love some good oldies. Thanku for loving that song.
@francismason8891
I am 73 (today), I watched this video about a month ago,, and then went to the Martha Reeves website...at that time, Martha and the Vandellas were doing a gig in Shanghai...Martha was still cookin' at age 78.
"Long live Motown; Long Live the 'Girl Groups' of the 1960s".
@adriennerobinson1180
Yes,and Martha Reeves should still be singing.
@Yve55
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 😊🎉
@CatStina
My dear friend just passed away at only 37 years old and she loved this song. Listening in her memory in 2021.
@traceebrandon9973
Sorry for the loss
@donpapaofficialch.1920
Its amazing to remember peoples with songs! Sorry for the loss.
@CatStina
@@traceebrandon9973 thank you.
@CatStina
@@donpapaofficialch.1920 I agree, music is really powerful. Thank you.
@AnneCherch
So sorry for your loss.