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.
Heatwave )
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Heat wave
Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And my heart's filled with fire
Could be that I'm very sentimental
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Sometimes she calls my name
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I feel, yeah I feel
I feel this burning flame
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Just give me another chance
This could be a new romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
The song "Heatwave" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is a classic example of Motown sound. The theme of the song is love, and the lyrics vividly describe how one feels when they are in the first stages of falling in love. The song opens with the singer expressing how being in the presence of the person she loves leads to an intense feeling that starts deep inside her, causing her heart to burn with passion. The second verse describes the urgency she feels to be around her love interest, how she cannot control the overpowering feeling of her body being electrified, and how the love burns brighter than anything around her.
The chorus then repeats the words, "Heatwave," emphasizing the power of the heat of love that engulfs her. She can feel her tears rolling down her face, and the fire in her heart consuming her every day. The singer tries to rationalize her intense feelings, wondering if it's because of her sensitive nature or the fact that she's in love. The bridge of the song then describes the singer's yearning when the person she loves is not around her. She feels an intense pull toward her love interest that she cannot explain. The song ends with the singer begging for another chance to explore the possibility of a new romance, demonstrating how overwhelming the heat of love can be.
Here are some interesting facts about the song "Heatwave":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Heat wave
The intense heat, both literally and metaphorically, that takes over the singer when they are with their loved one.
Whenever I'm with you, something inside
The overwhelming feeling of happiness and excitement that occurs within the singer whenever they are around their loved one.
Starts to burn deep
The passion and desire that the singer feels towards their loved one creates a burning sensation deep within them.
And my heart's filled with fire
The intense emotion that is felt by the artist towards their loved one, filling their heart and soul with burning passion and desire.
Could be that I'm very sentimental
The artist acknowledges that they may be seen as overly sentimental or emotional when it comes to their love and affection for their partner.
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
The singer questions whether this overwhelming feeling of love and passion is simply a natural part of being in love, or if it is unique to their relationship.
I got a heat wave, burning in my heart
The intense passion and desire for their loved one that the singer feels is like a heat wave that burns within them.
I can't keep from crying, tearing me apart
The artist is so overwhelmed with emotion towards their loved one that they are moved to tears, but at the same time, this intense emotion is also causing them pain and heartache.
Sometimes she calls my name, yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
The artist's loved one has a powerful effect on them, even the mere sound of their partner's voice saying their name can leave them feeling speechless and overwhelmed.
I feel, yeah I feel, I feel this burning flame
The artist is consumed by a burning desire and passion for their loved one that they can physically feel within them, it is an all-consuming flame.
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
The intense emotions and desire that the singer feels towards their loved one has a physical effect on them, causing their blood pressure to rise.
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
The artist is justifying their intense emotions and desire for their loved one, suggesting that this is the natural experience of pure, unadulterated love.
Just give me another chance, this could be a new romance
The singer is requesting their loved one to give them another chance at starting fresh, potentially beginning a new chapter in their existing relationship.
Oh yeah
An exclamation of the overwhelming feelings of love and passion that the singer feels towards their loved one.
Heat wave, heat wave, heat wave, heat wave
Repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the intense heat and passion that the singer feels, that it's not a one-time occurrence, but a continuous, all-consuming experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carl The Brit in The Philippines
This is totally awesome...
Tom Bergere
They are the hottest girls in rock and Motown and they are the heatwave! Absolutely, fabulous! Mucho Caliente! Thanks for posting!
Billy Taylor
They be jumping.
k
Thanks for using the word "awesome". I feel it's not used enough these days...
nativegemini81
Same here!
Ana Pittre
@Tom Bergere
Sam middleton
This is one of the songs that will still be talked about in 100 years time, absolutely timeless.
NoMercy
It isn't even talked about today
Elron Humpperdink
NoMercy edgy response
Richard Petrey
Amen!!!! They don’t make them like this anymore!!!!!!!!!!