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.
Dancin' On The Street
Martha 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,
Down in New Orleans,
In New York City.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and 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.
They're dancing in the street.
It's an invitation across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
Dancing in the street.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Can't forget the Motor City.
All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and 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're dancing.
They're dancing in the street.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
They're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
We're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
We're dancing in the street.
The song "Dancin' in the Street" by Martha and The Vandellas is a classic Motown anthem that celebrates the universal joy of dancing. The song is a call to action for people from all over the world to come together and dance in the streets, spreading love, happiness, and music. The opening lines of the song are an invitation to everyone to join in the celebration of a brand new beat that is perfect for dancing. The lyrics suggest that summer is the best season for these celebrations, and there's no better way to enjoy the warm weather than to dance in the streets.
The song goes on to list different cities where people are dancing, including Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. The lyrics suggest that the joy of dancing is not limited to any particular place, but can be found wherever there is music playing. The chorus repeats the idea that all we need is sweet music and we'll be dancing everywhere, from coast to coast and across the ocean blue.
The lyrics of "Dancin' in the Street" highlight the way music can bring people together, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of community that crosses borders and boundaries. This song celebrates the joy of music and dance and the uniting power they have. It invites everyone to put on their dancing shoes and join the festivities, spreading love, happiness, and music wherever they go.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out around the world,
Announcing to people worldwide,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Are you prepared for a fresh rhythm?
Summer's here and the time is right
It's summertime and the moment is perfect
For dancing in the street.
To dance on the streets.
They're dancing in Chicago,
In Chicago people are currently dancing,
Down in New Orleans,
In New Orleans they're dancing,
In New York City.
People in New York City are dancing as well.
All we need is music, sweet music.
We only require some good music, lovely music.
There'll be music everywhere.
Music will be accessible everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
People will swing and sway as they listen to records play.
Dancing in the street.
People will be dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
The clothes you put on are insignificant,
Just as long as you are there.
As long as you're present.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
So come on, every man, find a female partner.
Everywhere around the world
All around the world
They'll be dancing.
People will be dancing.
It's an invitation across the nation,
A proposal to everyone in the country.
A chance for folks to meet.
An opportunity for people to connect.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
There will be laughter, singing, and music playing.
Philadelphia, P.A.
The city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Baltimore and Washington D.C. at present.
Can't forget the Motor City.
Detroit cannot be excluded.
Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
Every day in Los Angeles,
They're dancing in the street.
People there are dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
(Dancing in the street.)
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
Let's gather together in a robust, coordinated line,
We're dancing in the street.
And dance together in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
(Dancing in the street.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
You and I across the blue ocean,
We're dancing in the street.
Together we shall dance in the street.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FREDERICK YOUNG, BENJAMIN DANIEL WELLS, CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON, JONATHAN MICHAEL LAWHON, RICHARD OREN YOUNG
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!