Quicksand (Martha and the Vandellas song)
# Quicksand (Martha and the Vandellas song)

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

"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

* 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:
   * Benny Benjamin: drums
   * James Jamerson: upright bass
   * Robert White: guitar
   * Eddie Willis: guitar
   * Jack Ashford: tambourine, vibes
   * Andrew "Mike" Terry: baritone saxophone solo

## 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.

