Quicksand (Martha and the Vandellas song)
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| "Quicksand" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Martha and the Vandellas | ||||
| from the album Heat Wave | ||||
| B-side | "Darling, I Hum Our Song" | |||
| Released | November 4, 1963 | |||
| Recorded | Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A); 1963 | |||
| Genre | Soul, pop | |||
| Length | 2:38 | |||
| Label | Gordy G7025 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Holland–Dozier–Holland | |||
| Producer(s) | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier | |||
| Martha and the Vandellas singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Quicksand" is a song recorded by the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. It was written by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and released as a single in November 1963.
Background[edit]
"Quicksand" was built around a similar gospel-inspired delivery of the Martha and the Vandellas' breakout hit " Heat Wave", but with a slightly slower tempo and a harder edge. Like "Heat Wave", it features an analogy to a natural phenomenon, with the narrator comparing falling in love to sinking in quicksand.[1] Cash Box said that "it continues the hard-hitting excitement of ['Heat Wave']."[2]
"Quicksand" was Martha and the Vandellas' third single to be written by Holland–Dozier–Holland, who would later write songs for other Motown artists such as The Supremes and the Four Tops.
Personnel[edit]
- Lead vocals by Martha Reeves
- Background vocals by Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard
- Produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier
- Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr.
- Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers:[3]
- Benny Benjamin: drums
- James Jamerson: upright bass
- Robert White: guitar
- Eddie Willis: guitar
- Jack Ashford: tambourine, vibes
- Andrew "Mike" Terry: baritone saxophone solo[4]
Chart performance[edit]
Released in November 1963 on the Gordy label, the song became another Top Ten hit for Martha & the Vandellas, eventually reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 26 - The Soul Reformation: Phase two, the Motown story. [Part 5]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 16, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 3: 1963 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records
- ^ "Obituary: Mike Terry". TheGuardian.com. December 2008.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 398.
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