"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. References 1963 singles Martha and the Vandellas songs Songs written by Holland–Dozier–Holland Gordy Records singles Song recordings produced by Lamont Dozier Song recordings produced by Brian Holland 1963 songs