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.
You're The One
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
Bernie Em
What a production this was...rivaling and surpassing Phil Spector's "wall of sound"! Amazing! Motown at it's finest!
Eric Walker
The Funk Brothers. What a group of great session musicians.
Virginia Mariposa Dale
Motown should have been immemorialized; it should have been subsidized by the government; how could anyone let it go under! I LOVE this music! And the Vandellas!
Loz Wright
What do you mean "let it go under" ?
Steven Johnson
Martha, Roz, and Betty were COOKIN on this record!!
Justin "QUAYLE" Pate
WILD ONE and DANCING IN THE STREETS are my favorite from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
James Belkin
Killer drums!
Dave
Wild One & Nowhere To Run are my pics for the best of this group.Shame Motown never gave them the support they deserved.The Government never gave either Motown or Martha Reeves the support either.
Ladylovemm
My God. This song ran through my mind this Sunday morning oct 9, 2022. How???
Ernest Castro
Wild One my favorite Martha and The Vandellas record.