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".
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 Kelly replacing Annette Beard (now Beard-Sterling). In 1967, Kelly was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. It was right about this time that the group's name was officially changed to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, to conform with the company's recent changes of The Supremes' and The Miracles' names to reflect their featured lead singers. 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.
The story of the group did not end completely with their split-up in 1972, however. While Tilley and Williams (both now deceased) eventually retired, the others continued with their individual career pursuits: Lois sang with the group Quiet Elegance and also sang background for Al Green; Reeves reunited with original Vandellas Ashford and Beard-Sterling for a 1978 benefit concert in Los Angeles; and in 1983, Reeves performed solo at Motown 25, which partly helped her and the Vandellas gain a new audience. In particular, Reeves herself is still known to sing with her sisters Lois and Delphine, often performing as a solo artist under the bill, "Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas", and still performs all over the world.
Heatwave
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heat wave
Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And my heart's filled with fire
Could be that I'm very sentimental
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Sometimes she calls my name
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I feel, yeah I feel
I feel this burning flame
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Just give me another chance
This could be a new romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
The song "Heatwave" by Martha and The Vandellas expresses the intense feelings of love between two people. The first verse talks about the physical sensations the singer experiences when she is with her lover, with something inside her burning deep and her heart filled with fire. The second verse delves into the emotional aspect of the singer's experience, as she questions whether or not her sentimental feelings are normal for someone in love. The chorus emphasizes the intense physical and emotional turmoil the singer experiences with the repeated phrase "heat wave," and the bridge has the singer pleading for another chance for a new romance.
The overall interpretation of the song revolves around the power of love, with the singer describing how her emotions are strong enough to make her heart feel like it's on fire. The song's language is evocative, with phrases such as "burning in my heart" and "tearing me apart." Throughout the song, the singer is experiencing a physical and emotional heat wave that she cannot control.
Overall, "Heatwave" is a classic love song that emphasizes the powerful and sometimes overwhelming feelings that come with being in love. The song is a timeless classic that is still beloved today, and its message continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Heat wave
The heat is on when love is in the air.
Heat wave
Love is like a hot summer day.
Whenever I'm with you
When I'm around you, something happens to me.
Something inside
I feel an intense emotion deep in my heart.
Starts to burn deep
It's like a fire igniting in my soul.
And my heart's filled with fire
My passion for you is erupting and taking over me.
Could be that I'm very sentimental
Maybe I'm just an emotional person.
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
Is this intensity what love should feel like?
I got a heat wave
My love for you is like a heat wave that I can't ignore.
Burning in my heart
It's a strong, passionate feeling that can't be tamed.
I can't keep from crying
My emotions are so strong that I can't hold back the tears.
Tearing me apart
This love is both wonderful and painful.
Sometimes she calls my name
Sometimes you get my attention unexpectedly.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I can't put into words how you make me feel.
I feel, yeah I feel
This love is real and intense.
I feel this burning flame
My desire for you is like a fire that never goes out.
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
This love is so intense it's making my heart race.
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
These intense feelings are normal when you're in love.
Just give me another chance
We can make this work if we try again.
This could be a new romance
Let's start fresh and see where this takes us.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@no7734
Music so moving can change your entire perspective of things, like this song.
The memory still burns into my mind to this day.
I went to a simple dance party alone with lots of students, the purpose of me attending this school party was to meet a guy there, I guess you can say my platonic "date", we weren't together, I only knew this man for a few months. I remember wearing just a simple white dress and had my hair in big curls that landed down to my shoulders and wearing only one coat of mascara. I was waiting by the DJ and he decided to play some oldies. People were dancing and everyone was having a good time.
This song played as my "date" entered the school gym, I never noticed how handsome he was until that night. He was wearing a black biker jacket and levis jeans, his jawline was sharp and his cheeks were deeper than how I would usually see them. He had his hair slicked back and his bright smile lit the room with a dash of confidence in his step.
My heart JUMPED the moment Martha Reeves powerfully sang that first verse, he was greeting other people with that gorgeous smile while he was walking in... Then I realized as he was glancing left and right with those beautiful hazel eyes, he was trying to look for me.
My casual behavior disappeared, I was a nervous wreck. He was walking closer to my direction and I quickly ran into the bathroom across the gym with my face burning and my hands sweating. Looking at my reflection my arms and face were completely red. After I freshened up, I couldn't even speak right. I stepped out of the restroom and I immediately found him walking around and I just stood there mesmerized by his presence and looking at him for I don't know how long. When he finally saw me, I couldn't stop trembling. He licked his lips and smiled as he was cutting through the crowd not leaving his eyes from mine.
However in the end, we didn't end up together, I lost touch with him. But every time I listen to this song I think of that unforgettable night. Music is supposed to move you at a time of crisis or bliss. That is when you know the music is raw and real when it touches the right spot in your soul.
@josemunozrojas1681
- Heatwave! 🎶
- Good night, ladies and gentlemen
- Heatwave! 🎶
- You don't give a shit
- Heatwave! 🎶
- Let's get the hell outta here
- HEATWAVE!!! 🎶🎶🎶
😅😅😅 Absolutely out of the blue... I ADORE THIS SONG!!! 👏🏻👏🏻💫💫💫💜
@ABritInThePhilippines
This is totally awesome...
@drivinsouth651
They are the hottest girls in rock and Motown and they are the heatwave! Absolutely, fabulous! Mucho Caliente! Thanks for posting!
@billytaylor8154
They be jumping.
@user-gj7tc6gt2p
Thanks for using the word "awesome". I feel it's not used enough these days...
@nativegemini81
Same here!
@anapittre9147
@@drivinsouth651
@sammiddleton6619
This is one of the songs that will still be talked about in 100 years time, absolutely timeless.
@purpledragon115
It isn't even talked about today
@ElronHumpperdink
NoMercy edgy response
@richardpetrey1400
Amen!!!! They don’t make them like this anymore!!!!!!!!!!