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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"
ReleasedNovember 4, 1963
RecordedHitsville U.S.A. (Studio A); 1963
GenreSoul, pop
Length2:38
LabelGordy
G7025
Songwriter(s)Holland–Dozier–Holland
Producer(s)Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier
Martha and the Vandellas singles chronology
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave"
(1963)
"Quicksand"
(1963)
"Live Wire"
(1964)

"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

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"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

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Chart performance

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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

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  1. ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 26 - The Soul Reformation: Phase two, the Motown story. [Part 5]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  2. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 16, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  3. ^ The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 3: 1963 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records
  4. ^ "Obituary: Mike Terry". TheGuardian.com. December 2008.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 398.