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

"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

Chart performance

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

  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.