Martha & The Vandellas – Dancing in the Streets

This was written by Motown songwriters Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, and William “Mickey” Stevenson. It became the biggest hit and trademark song for Martha & the Vandellas.

Reeves recounted that she initially regarded the song as too repetitive. Gaye and Stevenson agreed and including new Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter added in musical composition. Martha Reeves remembered Marvin Gaye recorded the song first and sang it as though singing to a lover. Reeves, envisioning block parties and Mardi Gras, asked the producers to let her sing it her way. The song was recorded in two takes. The song’s writers made sure to include Detroit as one of the cities mentioned with the lyric: “Can’t forget the Motor City”.

When this song was first released in the UK, it reached #28. However, a reissue of this song reached #4 in the UK in 1969.

Dancing In The Street (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, December 5th, 1965)

Musicians:
Martha Reeves – lead vocals
Betty Kelly, Rosalind Ashford, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter – backing vocals
The Funk Brothers – instrumentation[9]
Robert White – guitar
Eddie Willis – guitar
Joe Messina – guitar
James Jamerson – bass guitar
Marvin Gaye – drums
Jack Ashford – percussion, tambourine, vibes
Ivy Jo Hunter – percussion (tire iron)
Henry Cosby – tenor saxophone
Thomas “Beans” Bowles – baritone saxophone
Russ Conway – trumpet
Herbert Williams – trumpet
Paul Riser – trombone
George Bohanon – trombone

“Dancing in the Street” – Single by Martha and the Vandellas from the album Dance Party
B-side “There He Is”
Released July 31, 1964
Songwriters Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter
Producer William “Mickey” Stevenson
Charted No.2 US; No.28 UK; No.3 Canada