The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves and 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".
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1960, the group had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis and originally was a quartet of Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard and original lead singer Gloria Williamson. Williamson left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name again 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, changing their name to Martha and the Vandellas in 1962.
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's final performance at Detroit's Cobo Hall in 1972 ended their twelve-year existence.
Dancing in the Street
Martha Reeves and The Vandellas Lyrics
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Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street
They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
In New York City (dancing in the street)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swinging, swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street, oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing (dancing in the street)
They're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
This is an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and D.C., now (dancing in the street)
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
All we need is music, sweet music (sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere)
There'll be swinging, swaying (swaying)
And records playing (playing)
Dancing in the street, oh
It doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy, grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
They're dancing
They're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
Every day, they're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Let's form a big, strong line (dancing in the street)
Get in time, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue (dancing in the street)
Me and you, we're dancing in the street
Martha Reeves's song "Dancing In The Street" was released in 1964 and instantly became a hit. It's an upbeat, energetic dance song that invites people from all over the world to come together and dance with joy. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the universality of dancing and music. The opening lines "Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?" convey the excitement and anticipation that people feel about dancing to a new, groovy beat. The chorus, "All we need is music, sweet music. There'll be music everywhere. They'll be swinging and swaying and records playing, dancing in the street," reinforces this message and encourages people to come together and celebrate life through music and dance.
Throughout the lyrics, Reeves mentions various cities where people are dancing in the streets, including Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., and L.A. The song highlights the unity and joy that music can bring to people from different backgrounds and cities, and emphasizes that the only requirement for joining in the fun is a love for music and dance. The upbeat energy and positivity of "Dancing In The Street" continues to resonate with people today, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out around the world,
Making a proclamation to people globally,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Do you have the eagerness for a fresh rhythm?
Summer's here and the time is right
It's summertime and favorable
For dancing in the street.
To dance outside is the perfect idea
They're dancing in Chicago,
In Chicago, they're dancing
Down in New Orleans,
In New Orleans, they are enjoying
In New York City.
They're having a blast in New York City
All we need is music, sweet music.
All we require is music, pleasant music.
There'll be music everywhere.
Music will be present in all locations.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
People will move rhythmically and songs will play.
Dancing in the street.
Dancing on the roads.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Your attire isn't important
Just as long as you are there.
As long as you take part
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
All males, get a female!
Everywhere around the world
In all corners of the globe
They'll be dancing.
People will be dancing.
It's an invitation across the nation,
It's a request spanning the country,
A chance for folks to meet.
A prospect to socialize.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
People will be laughing, singing, and dancing.
Dancing in the street.
Dancing outdoors.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Baltimore and Washington D.C., presently
Can't forget the Motor City.
Don't overlook the Motor City-Detroit.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
All the time in Los Angeles
They're dancing in the street.
They are dancing outside.
(Dancing in the street.)
Dancing on the roads.
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
Formation of a massive, robust queue, in sync.
We're dancing in the street.
Too, we're dancing outside.
(Dancing in the street.)
(Dancing on the roads.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
You and me over the blue sea
We're dancing in the street.
The two of us are dancing outside.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy
They were literally singing for our civil rights. ❤️
@debcrockett366
I think they were singing about freedom in America & fun in the Summertime..NO POLITICS!
@danf321
There is someone to politically charge every subject.
@lexluger3490
Lol, it's literally what they were singing about. The song was a euphemism for civil rights rallies happening at the time. 😅 Almost 60 years later and most people are still clueless. America treated black Americans like shit for a very long time, face it, it did happened. Want to fix it? Then fix it. It's not political, it's factual.
@cressapellom4205
@@debcrockett366uh no. It was about civil rights. A simple Google search will tell you that.
@ericafair9983
Now, we can literally let that go because whispers we's free now. 😮
@DudemeisterNL
I absolute love that the timeline I live in has given us Motown!
@hansg6336
It's hard to exaggerate how much influence the Motown sound has had on American pop music. Great stuff to listen to a thousand years from now.
@nickwride2023
The Motown Sound will live for a long time.
@cleaningtim
I could not agree more!