Tag: Martha and the Vandellas

Monday’s Theme Music

Thinking about a big coming out party, someday, after the crises is resolved. (A.C.: After COVID-19. We’ll start a new reference system – “In 2 AC, the first normal baseball game was played.”) Maybe the theme should be dancing in the streets.

The song, “Dancing in the Street”, and its many versions jumped into the stream. I do enjoy the Mick and David version. But I don’t want to show favoritism, so here’s a few offerings. Looking at them, I’m surprised that it has sprung up as a new cover by some one, like, I don’t know, Kelly Clarkson.

David Bowie and Mick Jagger, 1985. Boy, the disco era is really displayed in their clothing style. Fitting for responding to a global problem, as this collaboration was done to raise money and awareness for “Live Aid” famine relief.

Martha and the Vandelllas, 1964 – the original, to me.

Van Halen, 1982 – oh, yeah, lots of synthesizer.

Mama and the Papas, 1966 – a very mellow version.

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Friday’s Theme Music

Courtesy of Martha and the Vandellas (1963) and Mother Nature (2019), a little “Heat Wave”.

 

Update Note: Sorry, I was time-shifting and lost track of the days.

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Monday’s Theme Music

This song, “Heatwave”, performed by Martha and the Vandellas, came out in July, 1963. I’d just turned seven, so I’ve known this song almost all of my life. It’s a terrific song, full of energy, pop, and harmonies, with some fat sax thrown in. Many other excellent covers have since been offered, but I’ll stay with the original, thanks.

Clap along, clap along.

 

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Today’s Theme Music

Drop it all, whatever troubles you and weighs down your body, just let it go. Close your eyes and let yourself feel light and alive. It’s summer in the north, and winter’s coming south of the equator, but we can all come together and do a little dance.

Marvin Gaye, Mickey Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter wrote it. It first found popularity in the U.S. with Martha and the Vandellas in nineteen sixty-four. David Bowie covered it with Mick Jaggar, Van Halen covered it with David Lee Roth singing the lead vocals, the Mamas and the Papas, and the Grateful Dead covered it, among others. Those are the ones that I remember. You probably know it from somebody else’s cover. If not, the words are easy and the beat is contagious. As they say, “Summer’s here, and the time is right, for dancing in the streets.”

Get up and sing and dance with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas with the first popular version of “Dancing in the Streets.”

 

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