Classic Pop Icons

Martha and the Vandellas’ classic 1964 hit “Dancing in the Street” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Dancing in the Street” was released on single in July 1964, backed with “There He Is (At My Door).” The song also opened the group’s 1965 album, “Dance Party.”

Martha and the Vandellas were already established stars in the US by the time “Dancing in the Street” was released, with two albums and six Motown singles behind them, including the top ten hits “(Love is Like a) Heatwave” and “Quicksand.” “Dancing in the Street” would take their fame to the next level, reaching an international audience.

“Dancing in the Street” was not only Martha and the Vandellas’ biggest hit, but also one of the songs most identified with the classic Motown period. However, on first hearing Marvin Gaye’s demo of the song, Martha Reeves wasn’t impressed. In an interview with connect.in.com in February of this year, she noted:

“Dancing in the Street” soon developed a dual personality. Some people, Martha Reeves included, interpreted it as a party song, while others viewed the lyrics as a rallying call for increased militancy on the issue of civil rights. With racial tensions high in this period, some radio stations actually banned the song. It’s easy to see why lyrics such as “Calling out around the world. Are you ready for a brand new beat?” could be politicized in the context of the time, but it’s doubtful that the songwriters intended this.

Martha and the Vandellas – “Dancing in the Street”

Martha Reeves is still touring today and “Dancing in the Street” remains one of the most anticipated songs in her set. In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) in February of this year, she said of the song:

Authorship

“Dancing in the Street” was written by William “Mickey” Stevenson, Marvin Gaye and Ivy Jo Hunter – not to be confused with either Ivory Joe Hunter or Motown pianist Joe Hunter.

It was Stevenson who had discovered Martha Reeves singing in a Detroit nightclub three years before and invited her to audition for Motown. After a period doing secretarial and A&R work for the label, along with backing vocals for artists such as Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas were signed to the label in 1962.

Recording date/location

“Dancing in the Street” was recorded on June 19, 1964 at Hitsville USA (Studio A), which is located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan.

Musicians

Martha and the Vandellas were:

• Martha Reeves – lead vocals
• Rosalind Ashford – backing vocals
• Betty Kelly – backing vocals.

Instrumentation was provided by the legendary Motown house band, The Funk Brothers, with Marvin Gaye sitting in on drums:

• Robert White – guitar
• Eddie “Chank” Willis – guitar
• Joe Messina – guitar
• James Jamerson – bass guitar
• Jack Ashford – percussion
• Henry Cosby – saxophone
• Thomas “Beans” Bowles – saxophone
• Russell Conway – trumpet
• Herbie Williams – trumpet
• Paul Riser – trombone
• George Bohannon – trombone
• Marvin Gaye – drums
• Ivy Jo Hunter – percussion.

Ivy Jo’s contribution was to support the drum part by banging a crowbar or tire iron against the floor.

Chart performance

“Dancing in the Street” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 11, 1964, sandwiched between Manfred Mann’s “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” at number one and Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” at number three.

The single hit number 21 on the UK Singles Chart in 1964 and then number four when re-released in 1969.

Covers

Mick Jagger and David Bowie – “Dancing in the Street”

Mick Jagger and David Bowie had a number one hit in the UK with their cover of “Dancing in the Street” in 1985. The charity single was recorded to benefit the victims of the Ethiopian drought. Both singers had fun with it.

Everly Brothers – “Dancing in the Street”

The Everly Brothers’ trademark harmonies are used to good effect on their 1965 cover of the song, which appeared on their album “Rock ‘N’ Soul.” This is much more Nashville than Detroit and never quite catches fire in the same way as the original, but it’s enjoyable and well performed.

Van Halen – “Dancing in the Street”

Van Halen included a slickly produced rock cover of “Dancing in the Street” on their 1982 album “”Diver Down,” with a good vocal from David Lee Roth and impressive contributions from Eddie Van Halen on both synthesizer and guitar. The original backing vocals were so well conceived that it was a wise choice to mimic them here.

This was also released on single, peaking at number 38 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

There will be a new Song of the Week on July 11.

Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street” is available on the 2008 reissue of the album “Dance Party,” as well as numerous Martha and the Vandellas’ compilations and Motown hits collections.

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