Dancing in the Streets
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics


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Calling out around the world
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)

All we need is music, sweet music
(Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet music)
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 just 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 DC, 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 LA, every day
(Dancing in the street)
They're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
They form a big strong line, get in time
(Dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue, me and you
(Dancing in the street)
We're dancing in the street, yeah
(Dancing in the street)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Martha and The Vandellas's song Dancing in the Street is an invitation across the nation to celebrate the arrival of summer and to come together to dance in the street. The lyrics encourage people from all around the world to grab a partner and dance in the street, regardless of what they are wearing. The song lists a number of cities where people are dancing, from Chicago and New Orleans to Philadelphia and Baltimore, showing that the joy of dancing in the street is not limited to one place or community, but is a universal celebration.


The song symbolizes the energy and excitement of youth culture in the 1960s and the pride and resilience of black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The phrase "dancing in the street" became a metaphor for social change and protest, and the song was often played at demonstrations and rallies. The lyrics are a call to action, inviting people to come together in unity and to celebrate the power of music to bring people together.


Line by Line Meaning

Calling out around the world
An announcement being made worldwide


Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Introducing a new type of dance music


Summer's here and the time is right
The perfect time to dance


For dancing in the street
To dance outdoors with everyone


They're dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Chicago's streets


Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in New Orleans' streets


In New York City (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in New York City's streets


All we need is music, sweet music
Music can make us dance joyfully


There'll be music everywhere
Music will be played everywhere


There'll be swinging, swaying, and records playing
Different ways of dance moves with exciting music


Dancing in the street
To dance with everyone on the streets


Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
What you wear doesn't matter as long as you dance


Just as long as you are there
The presence of every individual is what matters


So come on, every guy, grab a girl
An invitation for all men to dance with women


Everywhere around the world
Everyone around the globe is invited to dance


It's an invitation across the nation
An invitation to individuals of different areas


A chance for folks to meet
A chance for individuals to connect


There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging
Dancing will be associated with joy, singing and music


Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Philadelphia's PA streets


Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in Baltimore and D.C. streets


Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in the streets of Motor City


Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
What you wear doesn't matter as long as you dance


Just as long as you are there
The presence of every individual is what matters


They're dancing
People are dancing


Way down in L.A. (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in L.A.'s streets


Every day, they're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
People are dancing in the streets every day


Let's form a big, strong line (dancing in the street)
An invitation to dance in a long row


Get in time, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Dancing together in sync on the streets


Across the ocean blue (dancing in the street)
Inviting individuals across the ocean to dance with us


Me and you, we're dancing in the street (dancing in the street)
Inviting everyone to dance with us




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
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@baddiemauve4958

[Verse 1]
Calling out around the world
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
Up in New York City

[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere

There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
It's just an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for folks to meet

There'll be laughing
Singing
Music swinging
Dancing in the street

Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore and D.C. now
Can't forget the Motor City

[Hook]
All we need is music
Sweet music
There'll be music everywhere

There'll be swinging
Swaying
And records playing
Dancing in the street

[Chorus]
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
Dancing
They're dancing in the street

Way down in L.A
Every day
(Dancing in the street)
Across the ocean blue
Me and you
We're dancing in the street
(Dancing in the street)



@thequietrevolution3404

Calling out around the world
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)

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music 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
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swing, 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 (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 (dancing in the street)



All comments from YouTube:

@thomasriddell5362

A dancing song no matter your age. All generations are welcome to Dance in Street.

@MattWhilden

Marvin Gaye is actually the drummer on this track. I know it sounds ridiculous, but early on in his career he actually was known to compose and play drums.

@FriendlyRambler

I never knew that, thank you for the info!  :)

@kingbee1500

Yep...he's double-tracked with great drummer William "Benny" Benjamin on this final mix.

@wayne5552

True Matt. Also heard Martha say she didn't like the song. Mickey didn't like Marvin on it. Could of been wife Kim Westons song but Mickey punished her for the many spats n said I'll give it to Martha. The 1st take, a perfect was lost because the engineers forgot to turn the power plug on. So Martha in 1 take redid it and it is. Martha voice is so naturally earthy. Her rhythm n timing is better than ALL the ladies of MOTOWN. Underrated..

@michaelglickman1300

Yes, Martha and the Vandellas were actually his backing vocalists long before achieving stardom on their own.

@Tarantulisimo

There's seems to be a lot of controversy, confusion, & urban legend when it comes to who exactly played drums on Dancing In The Street. It's generally acknowledged & accepted that Marvin Gaye did indeed play on the track. But many say there where actually two drummers (which Motown incorporated on several big hits) one of which was Benny "The Beast" Benjamin, others in the know have credited it to Motortown Revue drummer Fred Waites, while still some others in the Gordy inner circle say it was ‘Pistol’ Allen, who was behind the drumkit on most of Martha & The Vandellas big hits....It very well could be a mix/double-track/overdub of all of 'em!!! Also adding to that percussive rhythm are James Jamerson on bass, Jack Ashford on tambourine, & Ivy Jo Hunter on tire iron.....

31 More Replies...

@xx-mreba-xx4051

this is one of those songs that require you to hit max volume whenever its on

@deannomad7160

+Xx-MrEBA-xX and I got the audio system for it RIP neighbors ;)

@divinewilliams3055

it really is THE motown anthem...

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