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"Quicksand" is a 1963 soul-dance single by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.

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"Quicksand"
Single by Martha and the Vandellas
from the album Greatest Hits
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
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" (1963) "Quicksand" (1963) "Live Wire" (1964)

Background

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.[1] Cash Box said that "it continues the hard-hitting excitement of ['Heat Wave']."[2]

"Quicksand" 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.

Personnel

• 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

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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