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  Jimmy Mack (luke) 3-Pundit Username: luke Post Number: 70 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
I was listening to Martha and Vandellas today and as I listened to what I could understand of the lyrics to Cant Dance I cant figure out what Martha's "bug" is with the song. She seems to be telling her guy to be faithful or else hit the road and Syreeta on the chorus seems to be saying same thing"... u better get it together..."(though there is one part I cant make out that she sings). I always thought Martha was objecting to sexist lyrics--any info???????? | |||
Boynextdoor (boynextdoor) 1-Arriviste Username: boynextdoor Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.165.96.136 |
Syreeta was a Vandella? What's she doing on this recording? I always liked the song but had no idea what was going on? | |||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 4-Laureate Username: luke Post Number: 73 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
The story is that Martha didnt like the lyric, refused to finish the song, and Syreeta was brought in behind her back to sing the chorus. | |||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 3-Pundit Username: dvdmike Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.253.183.52 |
Deke Richards, who produced the record told the story of the recording sessions for this song sometime last year on the forum. It's somewhere in the archives, but I don't remember exactly when he posted and where the post is. | |||
tsaneladi (tsaneladi) 3-Pundit Username: tsaneladi Post Number: 60 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.32.91.222 |
Naw, Martha wouldn't do a thing like that-would she? | |||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 4-Laureate Username: luke Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Yea tho I wonder y the lyrics upset Martha?? | |||
Edgar (edgar) 2-Debutant Username: edgar Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 200.46.13.163 |
According to Deke Richards, Martha had no trouble with the song, she did finish it, but Billie Jean Brown asked him to do changes, and when he needed Martha & the Vandellas for re-recording they were touring, so he used Syreeta and the Andantes to do the chorus. What Martha still does not like is the final product, after all the editing (evident in the end, in the stereo mix) and re-recording without her. Here are the lyrics: I CAN'T DANCE TO THAT MUSIC YOU'RE PLAYIN' (Deke Richards-Debbie Dean) Sugar babe, I wanna tell you what's exactly on my mind I won't stay at home another night while you're out makin' time I'm well aware of where you go and every girl you see 'Cause whenever I can't find you, boy, my phone begins to ring. CHORUS: And I can't dance to that music you're playin' Stop, think it over and rewrite the tune I can't dance to that music you're playin' You better get yourself together, you better do it soon. Last Friday night the phone rang, you said it was Little Joe He had a one-night stand to play down on Cottage Grove If you were down to club to play you were playin' with no band 'Cause your sax is here at home all night, behind your music stand CHORUS. I can't dance (I can't dance), I can't dance (I can't dance) I can't dance to what you're sayin' I can't dance to what you're playin'. CHORUS. Now if you really love me, then unpack your bags and stay Don't tell me you've got to think it over, got to get away I've taken all that medicine of yours that I can't stand Doctor, please change your prescription or I'll find another man. CHORUS I can't dance, I can't dance, no baby I can't dance to the music, oh no. | |||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 4-Laureate Username: luke Post Number: 79 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Edgar--hasnt Martha also been quoted as saying she cant sing a lyric she doesnt agree with per this song?-thanks for lyrics! | |||
Edgar (edgar) 2-Debutant Username: edgar Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 200.46.13.234 |
I don't know. But I've read many times that Mme. Reeves is sweet but also a very temperamental person. | |||
Shawn1 (shawn1b) 3-Pundit Username: shawn1b Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.26.97.112 |
Well I can understand why Martha wound't appreciate Syreeta being called in on her song but the song is a GREAT Martha performance and the song is one of Martha's last substancial hits for Motown .And I must say one of my favorites !So is Taking My Love and Leaving Me which Syreeta is also on .Shawn | |||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 1-Arriviste Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.44.166.24 |
It has been suggested that there was a personal reason for Martha being "uncomfortable" with this song...which to me was about a lady dating a musician who was cheating on her. Producer Deke Richards was overwhelmed with the experience of working with Martha..as older Soulful Detroiter's will witness. | |||
DRIVINGWHEEL (drivingwheel) 1-Arriviste Username: drivingwheel Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.144.179.189 |
Oooohhhh........mr. lester spills the beans! No wonder why Lucy never married Schroeder! | |||
Shawn1 (shawn1b) 3-Pundit Username: shawn1b Post Number: 53 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.26.97.112 |
Don't shoot yourself in the foot Mr.Lester !Shawn | |||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 1-Arriviste Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.44.166.24 |
With you two to help load the gun, what can a guy do!! LOL | |||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 3-Pundit Username: dvdmike Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.208.234.61 |
Most of the sessions were held at Hitsville in Detroit, with some overdubs at RCA in Hollywood. | |||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 2-Debutant Username: randy_russi Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Martha discusses this in detail in her autobio- graphy. | |||
Bradburger (bradburger) 1-Arriviste Username: bradburger Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.190.96.180 |
Please find attached a Word document of Deke's posts on the subject (& the story of Love Child!)that he posted here a while back. It makes for a Great Read! Btw, I've used winzip to compress it so I don't go over the 50kb attachment limit. Cheers Paul
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Deke Richards SD Posts