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.
Quicksand
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you see, it's your loving charms,
It's like quicksand sinking me deeper in love with you.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer
making me love you, need you
It's like sinking me deeper, deeper in love with you.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
You're deeper, deeper, deeper in love with you.
My heart is a prisoner of your warm embrace,
I can't help it, I can't help myself.
Nothing can take your place.
Ah, when you say sweet things to me,
I start trembling from head to feet.
You're like quicksand, quicksand,
Yea, pulling me closer, closer.
I just can't resist you,
I just want to kiss you,
You're like quicksand, yea.
The song "Quicksand" by Martha and The Vandellas is a classic soul track from the 1960s, featuring Martha Reeves on lead vocals. The lyrics tell of the overwhelming feeling of falling in love and being unable to resist the pull of the other person. The singer describes their lover as being like quicksand, pulling them closer and deeper in love. The more they find of their love, the deeper they sink into it. While admitting that it may not be entirely sane to love this way, the singer cannot help themselves and cannot stay away from their lover's heart.
The metaphor of quicksand is a powerful one, as it symbolizes being trapped and sinking deeper the more you struggle. This perfectly encapsulates the feeling of falling in love and becoming consumed by it, unable to resist the other person's charm and affection. The song has a catchy chorus and a driving rhythm, with horns and drums adding to the energy and excitement of the track.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer in my arms.
Your love and affection is addicting and all-consuming, drawing me in closer and closer.
Can't you see, it's your loving charms,
Your captivating personality and loving demeanor make it impossible not to fall for you.
It's like quicksand sinking me deeper in love with you.
My love for you has become an irresistible force, pulling me in deeper and deeper every day.
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
The more I discover about you, the more I realize how deeply in love with you I am.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
Hearing from you and being in your company brings me immense joy and contentment.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
My infatuation and attachment to you may not be considered rational or logical to some people.
But from your heart I can't stay.
Despite any doubts or concerns, leaving you is not an option because my heart belongs with you.
making me love you, need you.
Your presence and affection have made me completely dependent on and devoted to you.
You're like sinking me deeper, deeper in love with you.
My love for you has become an inescapable pit of emotions, growing more intense with time.
My heart is a prisoner of your warm embrace,
Your love and physical touch have trapped my heart, making me unable to resist you.
I can't help it, I can't help myself.
I am powerless to my love for you, unable to control my feelings or desires for you.
Nothing can take your place.
You are one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable, and no one else could ever compare to you.
Ah, when you say sweet things to me, I start trembling from head to feet.
Your kind words and affectionate gestures have a profound physical and emotional effect on me.
Yea, pulling me closer, closer.
Your allure and charm constantly draw me in closer to you, unable to resist your pull.
I just can't resist you, I just want to kiss you,
Your presence and affection have made me unable to resist my desires for you, craving your kiss and touch.
You're like quicksand, yea.
You have become an irresistible and engulfing force in my life, much like the dangerous, trapping nature of quicksand.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alvee Kamelle
There will never be music like this again. Pure Soul
Kevin Watson
Keep Listening Keep Listening Keep Listening Can't get enough
Abraham Palmer
Never ever ever ever ever ever again
HENRY DURIEUX
What a song. What a group. Hope to keep them in my heart forever.
markus8696
My all time favorite Martha sang the heck outta this song!
jon
66 years old and listening to all these great songs really spring the emotions and memories. Wow
Sellyboy 727
So you were about 11 when this came out dancing n mamas kitchen lol
jon
@Sellyboy 727 yes you got it..The big 70 now😔
Sellyboy 727
@jon 10yrs older than my mom lol. Time flies in this life. It's a beautiful ride tho
Stewart Stewart
Back in the day , and I’m 66 too. My twin brother actually bought this 45 , it was produced on cardboard! Yes ! We would play this to death until the needle wore a hole right through it. Dancing in the kitchen!!!