Quicksand

Martha & the Vandellas

About Quicksand

"Quicksand" is a 1963 soul-dance single by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. It was built around a similar gospel-inspired delivery of their previous release, their breakout hit, "(Love Is Like a) 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. 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. It was the third hit on which the group collaborated with the famed Holland–Dozier–Holland team, who would go on to record hits with the likes of Vandellas' contemporaries, The Supremes and the Four Tops. 


Year:
1995
2:33
31 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer in my arms.
Can't you see, it's your loving charms,
It's like quicksand sinking me deeper in love with you.
 
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
 
You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer 
making me love you, need you 
It's like sinking me deeper, deeper in love with you.
 
The more I find it, the deeper in love I get.
Each time you call me, I feel nothing but happiness.
It's not sane, loving you this way,
But from your heart I can't stay.
 
You're deeper, deeper, deeper in love with you.
My heart is a prisoner of your warm embrace,
I can't help it, I can't help myself.
Nothing can take your place.
Ah, when you say sweet things to me,
I start trembling from head to feet.
You're like quicksand, quicksand, 
Yea, pulling me closer, closer.
I just can't resist you, 
I just want to kiss you,
You're like quicksand, yea.

 Struggling with Quicksand? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Martha & the Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas were an American vocal girl group formed in Detroit in 1957. The group achieved fame in the 1960s with Motown. more »

1 fan

Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
Released in 1963, "Quicksand" is a single by American girl group Martha Reeves & the Vandellas for the Gordy label owned by Motown.
Billboard Success
The song was highly successful, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box R&B Chart. It was also a Top 40 hit in the UK charts.
Songwriting Team
"Quicksand" was written by the renowned Motown songwriting and producing trio Holland-Dozier-Holland. This was the first time they wrote a top 10 pop hit for the Vandellas.
High Tempo
The song is marked by its high tempo, higher even than most of the Vandella's future hits. This helped it stand out on the radio and further contributed to its success.
Notable Covers
David Bowie covered "Quicksand" as part of his album "Hunky Dory" in 1971. His version of the song was quite unique, mutating the original’s orchestral soul-pop into a folk-rock anthem.
Misattribution
Despite the common mistake, Martha & the Vandellas and The Supremes were two separate, distinct groups in the Motown family with differing musical styles. Some people often erroneously associate the song "Quicksand" with The Supremes.
Motown Significance
"Quicksand" is among the songs that helped establish Martha Reeves and the Vandellas as one of the top female groups for Motown, together with other hits such as "Heat Wave," "Nowhere to Run," and "Dancing in the Street."
Catchy Lyrics
The song was studded with arresting lyrical metaphors comparing love to being “stuck like a fly in quicksand,” which attracted listeners and contributed to its popularity.
Signature Sound
While "Quicksand" has a higher tempo than the majority of the Vandellas' hits, it still carries their signature mix of doo-wop harmonies with soulful lead vocals.
Live Performances
Even several decades after the song's release, "Quicksand" remains a staple in Martha Reeves & the Vandellas' live performances, underscoring how beloved it remains among fans.

Discuss the Quicksand Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Quicksand Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2088770/Martha+%26+the+Vandellas/Quicksand>.

    Missing lyrics by Martha & the Vandellas?

    Know any other songs by Martha & the Vandellas? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Quicksand

    9,908
    52     9

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1964

    Billboard #8


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which Giant member sings songs from their 1989 debut studio album: Last of the Runaways?
    A Mike Brignardello
    B David Huff
    C Dann Huff
    D Alan Pasqua

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Martha & the Vandellas tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Quicksand

    »