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.
Dancing in the Streets
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 (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)
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, 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 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'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)
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.
Interesting facts:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
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 © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson, Ivy Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind