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.
Quicksand
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
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Can't you see, it's your loving charms,
It's like quicksand sinking me deeper in love with you.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer
making me love you, need you
It's like sinking me deeper, deeper in love with you.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
You're deeper, deeper, deeper in love with you.
My heart is a prisoner of your warm embrace,
I can't help it, I can't help myself.
Nothing can take your place.
Ah, when you say sweet things to me,
I start trembling from head to feet.
You're like quicksand, quicksand,
Yea, pulling me closer, closer.
I just can't resist you,
I just want to kiss you,
You're like quicksand, yea.
In Martha Reeves & The Vandellas's song "Quicksand," the singer compares her love for someone to being stuck in quicksand, slowly sinking deeper and deeper, unable to escape. She acknowledges the insanity of her situation but cannot help herself from falling deeper in love with this person. The repetition of "you're like quicksand" emphasizes the depth of the love and the irresistible pull they have on her.
The lyrics also highlight the power dynamic in the relationship, with the singer implying that she is the one getting pulled in, unable to resist. She describes the other person's "loving charms" and the happiness she feels when they call her. However, the chorus also suggests a sense of danger and potential drowning in this love, with the quicksand analogy implying that it may not be sustainable or healthy.
Overall, "Quicksand" is a powerful testament to the intoxicating and sometimes dangerous nature of love, and the irresistible pull it can have on us.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer in my arms.
You have a powerful attraction over me, similar to being sucked into quicksand, making me want to hold you tightly.
Can't you see, it's your loving charms,
Your loving personality and character are the reason for my attraction to you.
It's like quicksand sinking me deeper in love with you.
My love for you intensifies as time goes by, and it's similar to being slowly and irresistibly swallowed by quicksand.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
The more I discover about you, the more my love for you grows deeper.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
Your attention and affection towards me bring me immense joy and happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
My love for you is powerful and consuming to the point where it may not be considered rational or sane.
But from your heart I can't stay.
Despite the possible irrationality of my love, I can't help but stay close to you and your heart.
making me love you, need you
Your hold on me makes me love and need you more and more.
You're like sinking me deeper, deeper in love with you.
My love for you becomes stronger and more intense with every passing moment, similar to being pulled deeper into quicksand.
My heart is a prisoner of your warm embrace,
Your physical touch and warmth have trapped and captivated my heart.
I can't help it, I can't help myself.
Despite potentially being aware of the consequences, my love for you is too strong to resist.
Nothing can take your place.
No one else can replace the love and affection I have for you.
Ah, when you say sweet things to me, I start trembling from head to feet.
Your sweet and affectionate words have a physical and emotional effect on me, making me feel weak and overwhelmed with emotion.
Yea, pulling me closer, closer.
Your hold on me is strong and unrelenting, slowly pulling me closer towards you.
I just can't resist you, I just want to kiss you,
Your attraction towards me is irresistible, and I am compelled to want to kiss and be close to you.
You're like quicksand, yea.
You have a captivating hold on me, similar to being swallowed by quicksand.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind