In 1959, Ross was brought to the attention of Milton Jenkins, the manager of the local doo-wop group The Primes, by Mary Wilson. Primes member Paul Williams convinced Jenkins to enlist Ross in the sister group The Primettes, which included Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown.
In 1976, Billboard magazine named her the female entertainer of the century. In 1993, The Guinness Book Of World Records listed her as the most successful female artist ever (the title is now attributed to Madonna), partly due to her combined total of eighteen number-one singles, six of them recorded solo and the remaining dozen from her work with the Supremes.
Ross was also one of the few pop singers to find modest success in the acting world winning an Academy Award nomination for her role as Billie Holiday in the 1972 film, "Lady Sings the Blues" as well as having hits with other film roles such as "Mahogany", "Out of Darkness" and "Double Platinum", not to mention her role in "The Wiz".
Ross has been awarded many lifetime achievement accolades from many organizations and media outlets: she has been featured on BET, Soul Train, and awarded multiple times at the NAACP Image Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement in 2011.
Ross' professional vocal collaborators have included the following during her career: Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Smokey Robinson, among many others.
Ask Any Girl
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a feeling that's hard to hide
But you don't seem to understand why
When I'm alone I sit and cry
Ask any girl
Who's often left alone
All by herself
Set aside like a doll on a shelf
Just ask any girl
Ooh, and you'll understand why
I sit and cry
Ask any girl
Who knows the fear of losing
Someone dear
And she'll say the same thing
It hurts you deep
Makes it hard to sleep
Don't take my word
Ask any girl
Then you'll understand why
I sit and cry
Ask any girl
Who receives no loving affection
And she'll feel as I feel
It's heartaches by the number
Many nights without slumber
Ask any girl
Ooh, and then you'll know why
I sit and cry
I sit and cry
In Diana Ross's song "Ask Any Girl," the lyrics describe the heartbreak and pain experienced by someone who is in love with someone who neglects and pushes them aside. The feeling of being hurt by someone you love can be unbearable, and the singer of the song reflects on the loneliness and sadness she feels when she is left alone. She cries and struggles with the fear of losing her love.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to ask any girl who has experienced this kind of neglect and heartbreak, and they will understand why the singer sits and cries. These girls know what it is like to be left alone, to fear losing someone dear, and to receive no affection. Their experiences show that heartache is not unique to just one person but is something that many people can relate to.
The song is a powerful message about the pain that comes with unrequited love and neglect. It speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the emotional toll it takes on those who love deeply but are pushed aside. Through her lyrics, Diana Ross captures the raw emotion and vulnerability of those who have experienced this kind of heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
Being hurt by the one you love
Experiencing emotional pain caused by someone you care for deeply.
It's a feeling that's hard to hide
It's difficult to conceal the emotions felt when hurt by someone you love.
But you don't seem to understand why
You appear to not comprehend the reasons behind my hurt and sadness.
When I'm alone I sit and cry
During times of solitude, I weep as a result of the emotional pain.
Ask any girl
Anyone who has experienced similar circumstances.
Who's often left alone
Those who are frequently left to be by themselves.
All by herself
Completely isolated and without companionship.
Neglectfully pushed aside
Disregarded or abandoned without consideration or care.
Set aside like a doll on a shelf
Treated as if unimportant, abandoned or removed from view.
Ooh, and you'll understand why
You will gain insight into the reasons behind my emotional distress.
Who knows the fear of losing
Those who are familiar with the anxiety of losing someone important.
Someone dear
A person who is loved and appreciated deeply.
And she'll say the same thing
They will express similar sentiments or feelings.
It hurts you deep
Emotional pain is felt on a profound level.
Makes it hard to sleep
The emotional pain interferes with the ability to get restful sleep.
Don't take my word
Do not simply rely on my experience or testimony for understanding this situation.
Ask any girl
Seek insight and understanding from others who have experienced similar circumstances.
Then you'll understand why
The experiences of others will allow you to comprehend the reasons behind my emotional distress.
Who receives no loving affection
Those who are not shown love or affection on a regular basis.
And she'll feel as I feel
They will experience similar emotions and struggles as myself.
It's heartaches by the number
Emotional pain is felt repeatedly and intensely.
Many nights without slumber
Difficulty sleeping is a result of the emotional pain and distress.
Ooh, and then you'll know why
You will come to understand the reasons behind my emotional distress.
I sit and cry
Weeping is a common response to the deep emotional distress felt in this situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind