Quicksand (Martha and the Vandellas song)

This article is about the song by Martha and the Vandellas. For the song by David Bowie, see Quicksand (David Bowie song). For the song by La Roux, see Quicksand (La Roux song).

"Quicksand"
Single by Martha and the Vandellas
from the album Greatest Hits
B-side	Darling, I Hum Our Song
Released	November 4, 1963
Format	7" 45 RPM
Recorded	Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A); 1963
Genre	Soul/pop
Length	2:38
Label	Gordy G7025
Writer(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 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 break-out hit, "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave", but was slightly slower with a harder edge. This time, lead singer Martha Reeves explains how her loved one brings her "closer" to him explaining that his love was like "quicksand". Released in October 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.

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: bass guitar
  • Robert White: guitar
  • Eddie Willis: guitar
  • Jack Ashford: tambourine, vibes