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.
Wild Night
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And stand before the mirror
And you comb your hair
And grab your coat and hat
And you walk, wet streets
Tryin' to remember
All the wild breezes
In your mem'ry ever
And ev'rything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind catches your feet
And sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooh-wee!
The wild night is calling
And all the girls walk by
Dressed up for each other
And the boys do the boogie-woogie
On the corner of the street
And the people passin' by
Just stare in wild wonder
And the inside juke-box
Roars out just like thunder
And ev'rything looks so complete
When you're walkin' out on the street
And the wind will catch your feet
And sends you flyin', cryin'
Ooh-wee!
The wild night is calling
Ooh-wee
The wild night is calling
Come on out and dance yeah
Come on out and make romance
Come on out and dance
Come on out and make romance
The wild night is calling
The wild wild night is calling
Come on out and dance
Come on out and make romance yeah
Come on out and dance
Come on out and make romance
The song "Wild Night" by Martha Reeves And The Vandellas is a joyful and energetic song, with lyrics that convey a sense of a fun and spontaneous night out on the town. The song starts by describing a person preparing to go out - brushing their shoes, combing their hair, and grabbing their coat and hat. As they walk through the wet streets, they try to remember all the wild breezes they've experienced before. Everything looks complete as they step out onto the street, and the wind catches their feet and sends them flying. The wild night is calling.
As the song continues, the lyrics describe the scene on the street. Girls pass by, dressed up for each other, and boys are doing the boogie-woogie on the corner of the street. The people passing by stare in wild wonder as the inside jukebox roars out like thunder. The song captures the sense of release and freedom that comes with a wild night out, with the chorus repeating that the wild night is calling.
The lyrics of "Wild Night" convey a sense of fun and spontaneity that is characteristic of many classic soul songs. The song has a joyful energy that captures the essence of a night of dancing and romance. The song is both melodic and upbeat, making it a classic feel-good song that continues to be popular today.
Line by Line Meaning
As you brush your shoes
As you prepare yourself for a night out
And stand before the mirror
And you take a final look at yourself in the mirror
And you comb your hair
And you make sure your hair is perfect for the night
And grab your coat and hat
And you get your coat and hat, ready to go out
And you walk, wet streets
And you walk the damp streets, with the excitement of the night ahead
Tryin' to remember
Trying to recall all the wild adventures of your past
All the wild breezes
All the thrilling experiences from your memory
In your mem'ry ever
That you will treasure forever
And ev'rything looks so complete
Everything looks perfect and promising
When you're walkin' out on the street
As you step out onto the buzzing streets filled with anticipation
And the wind catches your feet
The wind seems to propel you forward faster
And sends you flyin', cryin'
And it feels like you are soaring, overcome with joy
Ooh-wee!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm
The wild night is calling
The night is full of possibility and adventure, calling to you
And all the girls walk by
The girls walk by, dressed up and looking their best
Dressed up for each other
They do not dress up for the boys, but for each other
And the boys do the boogie-woogie
The boys dance and enjoy themselves on the street corner
On the corner of the street
Where everyone can see them
And the people passin' by
The people passing by stop and stare in amazement
Just stare in wild wonder
And can't help but be amazed at the energy and excitement
And the inside juke-box
The music from inside the bar spills out into the street
Roars out just like thunder
And the music is so loud and exciting, it feels like thunder
Ooh-wee!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm
The wild night is calling
The night is full of possibility and adventure, calling to you
Come on out and dance yeah
Come out and join in the energy and dancing
Come on out and make romance
Embrace the romantic possibilities of the night
The wild wild night is calling
The night is calling with energy and excitement
Come on out and make romance yeah
Come out and embrace the romantic possibilities of the night
Come on out and make romance
Enjoy the romantic opportunities the night presents
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind