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.
I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playin'
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't stay at home another night
While you're out makin' time
I'm well aware of where you go
And every girl you see
'Cause whenever I can't find you,
Boy, my phone begins to ring
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
Last Friday night the phone rang
You said "Where's Little Joe?
We had a one-night stand
To play down on Covent Road
If you went down to the park to play
You weren't playin' with your band
'Cause your sax was here at home
All night behind your music stand
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
I can't dance (I can't dance) I can't dance (I can't dance)
I can't dance to what you're singin'
I can't dance to what you're playin'
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, and rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
If you really love me, then unpack your bags and stay
Don't tell me you've got to think it over, got to get away
I've taken all that medicine of yours that I can stand
Now please change your prescription or find another band
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
"I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playin'" is a song by Martha and the Vandellas that confronts a cheating partner who goes out to see other women while Martha remains at home. The song starts by Martha telling her partner that she knows where he goes and that, whenever she tries to reach him, he doesn't answer the phone. Then, she tells him that she cannot dance to the music he's playing, which means that she cannot accept the lies and betrayal in their relationship. Martha suggests that her partner think things over, rewrite his tune, and change his behavior before she decides to leave him. She adds that if he loves her, he should stay and unpack his bags instead of trying to get away.
Line by Line Meaning
Babe, I wanna tell you what's exactly on my mind
I want to express my thoughts to you openly and honestly
I won't stay at home another night
I refuse to spend another night alone at home
While you're out makin' time
While you're out socializing and spending time with others
I'm well aware of where you go
I know exactly where you go and what you do
And every girl you see
I know that you are interacting with other girls
'Cause whenever I can't find you,
Because whenever I can't locate you
Boy, my phone begins to ring
My phone starts ringing with calls and messages from you
I can't dance to that music you're playin'
I cannot tolerate or accept the way you are living your life
Stop, think it over, & rewrite your tune
Reflect on your choices and change them for the better
Go get yourself a piano, you'd better do it soon
Find a new, more virtuous way to spend your time
Last Friday night the phone rang
Recently, the phone rang on a Friday night
You said 'Where's Little Joe?
You asked about the whereabouts of a musician named Little Joe
We had a one-night stand
You had a brief, sexual encounter with someone
To play down on Covent Road
To perform at a venue called Covent Road
If you went down to the park to play
If you went to the park to practice or perform music
You weren't playin' with your band
You were not playing music with your usual band members
'Cause your sax was here at home
Because your saxophone was left at home
All night behind your music stand
You stayed at home practicing or composing music all night
If you really love me, then unpack your bags and stay
If you truly care about me, then stay with me and don't leave
Don't tell me you've got to think it over, got to get away
Don't use excuses or try to leave, figure things out together
I've taken all that medicine of yours that I can stand
I have put up with all of your problematic behavior that I can tolerate
Now please change your prescription or find another band
Change your ways or find new friends and activities to replace the negative ones
I can't dance (I can't dance) I can't dance (I can't dance)
I cannot participate in your harmful behavior or support your negative actions
I can't dance to what you're singin'
I cannot agree with or support the things you say and do
I can't dance to what you're playin'
I cannot participate in or tolerate the things you do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEBBIE DEAN, DEKE RICHARDS, DENNIS LUSSIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corey Sheppard
1:35 one of my favorite moments in music. You can't tell where Martha's voice ends, and the saxophone begins. It was a perfect effect
Thomas Graal
In her book 'Dancing In The Street', Martha explains in detail that she wasn't keen on some of the songs lyrics. She told the Producer, but he refused to change them, Martha then refused to finish the song! Motown called in Syreeta Wright to finish it. Martha say, "Syreeta sounded more like DianE Ross than me, which really pissed me off!"
Mr. Gracian
This was and is always one of M&Vd's greatest and it never became a hit!
Wow, that saxophone...!
Ronnie Damnitz
@M D sadly we lost him to covid last year
M D
I totally agree! Mosogotam should do this!
JACK ANTHONY
Yes. According to Martha's book you are correct. Syreeta was recruited to replace Martha in the chorus section of the song when Martha walked out of the session. Martha also verified this in an interview she gave many years later when she stated that the schedules were so tight that she was usually pressured to complete a song in one or two takes. Martha stated that if you had a problem with a song there was always "someone" standing in the wings ready to take your place....in this case it was Syreeta Wright. If a group member was unable to make a session , no problem..just call in the Andantes.
giano56
Martha is singing the verses Syreeta the chorus
JACK ANTHONY
According to Martha Reeves's autobiography, she did not want to do this song because she did not feel it was right for her. However, just as the powers that be at Motown used the Andantes in place of Mary an Cindy on several later Supremes records, Motown simply recorded the song with Syreeta Wright as the lead. Martha was so shocked that Motown went ahead and recorded and released the record with Syreeta Wright doing what would have been Martha's part. So here we have a record with Syreeta Wright doing the lead and god knows who the Vandellas were by this time and the record is released under the name of Martha and the Vandellas ..and there are no real Vandellas are on the record....not even Martha herself! How is that for duping the public? Syreeta Wright was so talented that she could mimic almost any female singer at Motown. That is why Syreeta was used to record demos for the other singers at Motown. So if any female singer became difficult just call in Syreeta Wright and she will fill in and not get credit for it.
willworkforwages
They were terrific! I love this. Thanks.
MattPopOfficial
I'm ashamed to say I had only heard the Betty Boo / Beatmasters version until two weeks ago. When I heard this version on the radio for the first time, I fell in love with the tune all over again - just fabulous.