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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Something inside
Starts to burning
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
I can't keep from crying (it's like a heat wave)
It's tearing me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Soft, low, sweet, and plain
Right then, right there, I feel that burning 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
Burning in my heart (it's like a heat wave)
I can't keep from crying (it's like a heat wave)
It's tearing me apart
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, heat wave
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, 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 feeling has me amazed
Don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(But it's all right, girl)
Oh
(Go ahead, girl)
Yeah, yeah
(Well, it's all right, girl)
Oh
(Can't miss it, that's love, girl)
I feel it burning
(Don't pass up this chance)
Right here in my heart
(It sounds like a true romance)
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Yeah, don't you know it's like a heat wave?
Burning right here (Burning, burning, burning)
In my heart (Burning, burning, burning)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
"Heatwave" by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas is a love song that personifies the heat and passion of love as an actual heat wave that engulfs the singer. The song talks about the physical and emotional impact of love on the heart and mind of the singer. The lyrics suggest a deep passionate love that takes over the singer and makes her feel like she is burning with desire. She questions whether this feeling is a natural part of love or is it something devilish inside her that attracts her to this man.
The song uses intense imagery and personifies love as a heat wave that causes tears in her eyes. She experiences an overwhelming sensation when her lover calls her name, her heart burns with a desire that she can't control, and it's tearing her apart. She feels like she's in a daze and can't explain the feeling. The chorus repeats the metaphor of the heat wave, emphasizing the idea that love is an all-consuming force that takes over every part of us. The lyrics suggest that this feeling is too strong to ignore or resist and the singer has no choice but to give in to it.
Interesting facts about the song Heatwave:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I'm with him
Every time I'm around him
Something inside
An indescribable feeling within me
Starts to burning
Begins to ignite
And I'm filled with desire
I want him so badly
Could it be a devil in me
Is this feeling sinful?
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Maybe this is what love should feel like
It's like a heat wave
It's overwhelming
Burning in my heart (it's like a heat wave)
I feel it in my chest
I can't keep from crying (it's like a heat wave)
Sometimes it makes me cry
It's tearing me apart
It's ripping my heart out
Whenever he calls my name
Whenever he speaks to me
Soft, low, sweet, and plain
His voice is gentle and calm
Right then, right there, I feel that burning flame
The feeling immediately comes back
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me
Is this medically concerning?
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
Maybe this is what love is
Sometimes I stare in space
I get lost in thought
Tears all over my face
I cry often
I can't explain it, don't understand it
I don't know why I feel this way
I ain't never felt like this before
I've never experienced this type of feeling
Now that funny feeling has me amazed
This strange sensation is incredible
Don't know what to do, my head's in a haze
I don't know how to handle this
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (But it's all right, girl)
It's okay, everything will work out
Oh (Go ahead, girl)
Keep going with it
Yeah, yeah (Well, it's all right, girl)
Everything is going to be okay
Oh (Can't miss it, that's love, girl)
This is love
I feel it burning
I feel it so strongly
Right here in my heart
I feel it deeply
Don't you know it's like a heat wave?
It's powerful
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Intense, passionate feelings
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
On fire
Yeah, don't you know it's like a heat wave?
It's overwhelming
Burning right here (Burning, burning, burning)
Burning strongly in my heart
In my heart (Burning, burning, burning)
Deeply felt
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Burning, burning)
Intensely passionate feelings
Oh (Burning, burning, burning)
Overwhelming and powerful
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
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!!!!!!!!!!