title: Quicksand (Martha and the Vandellas song)
text: # 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.
  
  