It's notable for featuring background vocals by The Andantes (who had been in a succession of Vandellas singles since "My Baby Loves Me") and Syreeta Wright, who had recently signed to the Motown label and was dating Motown artist Stevie Wonder, at the time. The song talked about how one woman's musician boyfriend leaving her with questions about how he was running off without giving the woman a hint of what he was exactly doing. Reeves would later say that the reason why the chorus was sung by Wright and not by Reeves was because she and the Vandellas had a touring schedule that did not allowed her to re-record the chorus, which had been changed with different music. The original recording circulates among collectors, but Reeves can be heard singing the new chorus with Wright and the Andantes in the end of the song, on the mix that was finally released.
"I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playin" was covered in a version by Tina Charles in 1976 which failed to make the charts, and another version was later recorded by the Beatmasters with Betty Boo and reached number 7 in the UK charts in 1989.
Credits:
Lead vocals by Martha Reeves
Additional lead vocals by Syreeta Wright (on the chorus)
Background vocals by The Andantes: Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks and Louvain Demps
Written by Deke Richards & Debbie Dean
Produced by Deke Richards
I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin'
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't stay at home another night
While you're out makin' time
I'm well aware of where you go
And every girl you see
'Cause whenever I can't find you,
Boy, my phone begins to ring
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
Last Friday night the phone rang
You said "Where's Little Joe?
We had a one-night stand
To play down on Covent Road
If you went down to the park to play
You weren't playin' with your band
'Cause your sax was here at home
All night behind your music stand
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
I can't dance (I can't dance) I can't dance (I can't dance)
I can't dance to what you're singin'
I can't dance to what you're playin'
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
If you really love me, then unpack your bags and stay
Don't tell me you've got to think it over, got to get away
I've taken all that medicine of yours that I can stand
Now please change your prescription or find another band
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
"I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin'" is a song by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas that was released in 1971. The lyrics of the song express the frustration and anger of the singer towards her partner who she suspects is cheating on her. She is tired of waiting at home while he is out with other women, and the lyrics imply that this is not the first time this has happened. She warns him to stop playing the old tune and rewrite the lyrics of his life or find someone new because she cannot dance to that music he’s playing.
The singer comes to the realization that she cannot continue living like this and wants her partner to change. She tells him that if he really loves her, he needs to stop playing the same old tune and unpack his bags and stay with her. The song is an anthem of a woman who knows her self-worth and refuses to settle for anything less than what she deserves.
The song is a perfect representation of the Motown style where it is upbeat with a catchy chorus, and its lyrics evoke emotions of freedom, love, and self-respect. The instrumentation is a blend of classic Motown rhythm and blues feel and the funk of the 1970s. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas’ delivery of the song was soulful, and Martha Reeves’ voice shined beautifully throughout the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Babe, I wanna tell you what's exactly on my mind
I need to have a serious conversation with you about something that's been bothering me.
I won't stay at home another night
I refuse to keep waiting at home for you while you're out doing who knows what.
While you're out makin' time
While you're out there having fun with other people.
I'm well aware of where you go
I know exactly where you're going when you're not with me.
And every girl you see
I know you're seeing other women.
'Cause whenever I can't find you,
Whenever I can't locate you,
Boy, my phone begins to ring
My anxiety starts to spike, and I begin to call you repeatedly.
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
I can't continue to put up with your unacceptable behavior any longer.
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
Reflect on your actions and make changes before it's too late.
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
Find a new hobby or pastime that doesn't involve infidelity and lying, or else you'll lose me for good.
Last Friday night the phone rang
Recently, you received a phone call.
You said "Where's Little Joe?
You asked about the location of someone named Little Joe.
We had a one-night stand
You admitted to having a sexual encounter with someone else.
To play down on Covent Road
To perform music or a gig on Covent Road.
If you went down to the park to play
If you were actually at the park playing music.
You weren't playin' with your band
You were not playing with the rest of your musical group.
'Cause your sax was here at home
Because your musical instrument was at home, not with you at the park.
All night behind your music stand
You were practicing alone at home all night.
If you really love me, then unpack your bags and stay
If you truly care about our relationship, you need to commit to it fully and stay with me.
Don't tell me you've got to think it over, got to get away
Don't make excuses or try to run away from the issues we're facing.
I've taken all that medicine of yours that I can stand
I've put up with your harmful behavior for too long.
Now please change your prescription or find another band
You need to change your ways or find a new group of friends to hang out with.
I can't dance (I can't dance) I can't dance (I can't dance)
I can't keep dancing around our problems, avoiding them instead of confronting them head-on.
I can't dance to what you're singin'
I can't go along with your lies and deceit any longer.
I can't dance to what you're playin'
I can't continue to tolerate your unfaithful actions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEBBIE DEAN, DEKE RICHARDS, DENNIS LUSSIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corey Sheppard
1:35 one of my favorite moments in music. You can't tell where Martha's voice ends, and the saxophone begins. It was a perfect effect
Thomas Graal
In her book 'Dancing In The Street', Martha explains in detail that she wasn't keen on some of the songs lyrics. She told the Producer, but he refused to change them, Martha then refused to finish the song! Motown called in Syreeta Wright to finish it. Martha say, "Syreeta sounded more like DianE Ross than me, which really pissed me off!"
Mr. Gracian
This was and is always one of M&Vd's greatest and it never became a hit!
Wow, that saxophone...!
Ronnie Damnitz
@M D sadly we lost him to covid last year
M D
I totally agree! Mosogotam should do this!
JACK ANTHONY
Yes. According to Martha's book you are correct. Syreeta was recruited to replace Martha in the chorus section of the song when Martha walked out of the session. Martha also verified this in an interview she gave many years later when she stated that the schedules were so tight that she was usually pressured to complete a song in one or two takes. Martha stated that if you had a problem with a song there was always "someone" standing in the wings ready to take your place....in this case it was Syreeta Wright. If a group member was unable to make a session , no problem..just call in the Andantes.
giano56
Martha is singing the verses Syreeta the chorus
JACK ANTHONY
According to Martha Reeves's autobiography, she did not want to do this song because she did not feel it was right for her. However, just as the powers that be at Motown used the Andantes in place of Mary an Cindy on several later Supremes records, Motown simply recorded the song with Syreeta Wright as the lead. Martha was so shocked that Motown went ahead and recorded and released the record with Syreeta Wright doing what would have been Martha's part. So here we have a record with Syreeta Wright doing the lead and god knows who the Vandellas were by this time and the record is released under the name of Martha and the Vandellas ..and there are no real Vandellas are on the record....not even Martha herself! How is that for duping the public? Syreeta Wright was so talented that she could mimic almost any female singer at Motown. That is why Syreeta was used to record demos for the other singers at Motown. So if any female singer became difficult just call in Syreeta Wright and she will fill in and not get credit for it.
willworkforwages
They were terrific! I love this. Thanks.
MattPopOfficial
I'm ashamed to say I had only heard the Betty Boo / Beatmasters version until two weeks ago. When I heard this version on the radio for the first time, I fell in love with the tune all over again - just fabulous.