Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ros… Read Full Bio ↴Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ross, is an American soul, R&B and pop singer and actress born in Detroit, Michigan. Ross is one of the most successful female artists of her era, both due to her solo work and her role as lead singer of The Supremes during the 1960s.

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.

Come and Get These Memories
Diana Ross Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories

Here's your old friendship ring
I can't wear it no more
Here's your old love letters
I can't read 'em anymore

Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories

Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em)
That you won for me at the State Fair
Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em)
Give them to your new sweetheart

Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories

Lover you've gone from me and left behind
So many memories
So many memories (so many memories)

Here's your old favourite record
I can't stand to hear it no more (no more)
Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em)
It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart
Because of these memories
I never thought of anybody but you
So come on and get 'em
'Cause I found me somebody new
And I love him

So come on and get these memories
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Come and get these memories, boy
(come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life)
Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...

So come on and get these memories
(Come and get 'em since you've gone out of my life)

Give them to your new love...
Give them to your new love...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Diana Ross's song Come and Get These Memories tell a story of a woman who has been left behind by her lover with nothing but memories. She has several mementos of their relationship, such as an old friendship ring, love letters, a teddy bear he won for her, old Valentine cards, and his favourite record. All of these things bring up memories of their relationship, and she cannot stand to hold onto them anymore. She wants him to come and get them because she has found someone new and moved on from their past relationship. The chorus is a plea for him to come and take away these memories so she can fully move on with her life.

The song reflects on how difficult it can be when one is left with memories of a failed relationship. The woman feels as if she is stuck in the past and is unable to move on with her life. However, she is strong enough to find someone new and move on. The lyrics are powerful and showcase the strength and resilience of someone who has been through heartbreak and emerged on the other side.

Line by Line Meaning

Lover you've gone from me and left behind So many memories
My lover has gone and left me with so many memories

Here's your old friendship ring I can't wear it no more Here's your old love letters I can't read 'em anymore
I am returning your belongings, as they remind me of our past and I can no longer bear to see them

Here's that old Teddy Bear (come and get 'em) That you won for me at the State Fair Here's some old Valentine cards (come and get 'em) Give them to your new sweetheart
I am giving you back the gifts you gave me, as they hold too many memories of our time together. You can pass them on to your new love

Here's your old favourite record I can't stand to hear it no more (no more) Here's some old lingering love (come and get 'em) It's in my heart and it's tearing it apart Because of these memories I never thought of anybody but you So come on and get 'em 'Cause I found me somebody new And I love him
Even though I still love you, I cannot bear the pain caused by the memories of our past together. I have found someone new and I want you to take back everything that reminds me of our time together

So come on and get these memories (come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life) Come and get these memories, boy (come and get 'em, since you've gone out of my life) Give them to your new love... Give them to your new love...
I want you to take back everything that reminds me of our time together since you are no longer a part of my life, and pass them on to your new love so that I can move on with mine

So come on and get these memories (Come and get 'em since you've gone out of my life) Give them to your new love... Give them to your new love...
I urge you to take back everything that reminds me of you now that you are no longer in my life, so that I can move on and give them to your new love

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dozier, Lamont Herbert / Holland, Edward, Jr. James / Holland, Brian

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Montrey

12y↑24

I love the fact that Mary sang this one. Her voice is perfect for it!

Caleb Ben-Avram

3y↑11

A rare lead vocal from Mary Wilson during the Diana Ross era. She nails it!

Jovon Allen

3y↑9

I love it!! They all had beautiful voices

JMykelBrown

10y↑25

It's always wonderful to hear Mary take the lead. She may not have a dramatic voice, nor the discipline or range as Diana, but her vocals are so pleasant! It would've been nice to hear a lot more from her during the 60's.

Violet Valentine

6y↑8

I dunno her voice can be extremely dramatic when she wants, Pretty Baby is my fave Mary lead song.

JHA

3y↑5

Honestly she sounds like a better singer to me than Diana. Diana just had that voice that cuts the record deep.

JMykelBrown

3y↑4

@JHA She will be greatly, greatly missed.

Sister’s Place-With Dr. Lori

3y↑4

She had to pull back on Supremes records; her range and control were far superior to Diana's during her solo performances in the70’s and 80’s. Put in the words “Mary Wilson can sing” in YouTube search it's a clip of her greatest vocal moments.

Myles Ken

4y↑6

I bought the cassette album of "A Supremes A Go Go." When I heard "Come and Get These Memories," I was pleasantly surprised to hear someone else's voice singing lead besides Diana's. Yes, Diana had or should I say has a great singing voice, but it was refreshing to hear Mary singing lead. I didn't know it was Mary singing lead until she mentioned it in her autobiography Dreamgirls. Mary you sound great. Also, to me, The Supremes' version is better than Martha Reeves and The Vandellas' version. Yet, both groups have helped make the music of the past a treasure. Incidentally, the instrumentals, as well, enriches the Supremes' version. (Without the instrumentals none of the enjoyable tunes would be as enjoyable as they had been in the past and as they still are.)

Myles Ken

4y↑1

I must add to my comment that is right before this one that the enjoyable songs of the past would not be nowhere near as enjoyable as they have been without the expertise of the songwriters and the instrument players. We, your many fans, applaud all of you.

Mike Harris

8y↑6

Good job Mary!!

Pudgie Bear

3y↑10

Rest In Peace Mary 🥺

countrypaul

3y↑4

RIP Mary Wilson, 2/8/21. I had the privilege of doing a spoken commercial with her a bunch of years ago - what a cool lady.

Eddie Cole

13y↑3

I feel so blessed to have grown up with these ladies singing in my head. Never knew that I would one day meet them...Except for Flo...I worked with Diana.....and befriended Mary and the new Supremes....You never know whats in store for you. I couldn't imagine a better dream come true......well.....there's always room for more!!

crowhillian58

2y↑1

Nice one! 🙂👍🏿

Glitter Goth

2y↑2

Rest In Peace Ms.Mary Wilson!!

zenileon

14y↑5

This is lovely

mafketays

14y↑16

I think is a taste of what could have been if Motown had really been interested in developing the Supremes as a group instead of just Diana Ross (who was great) and anonymousback up singers. Yeah, Mary's a little tenative here but the potential is clear to anyone with ears. It takes time for a singer to find their recording voice and if anything I'm suprised that she's this good with so few opportunities to sing lead at the time. She and Flo should have had a lot more chances to sing lead.

countrypaul

3y↑4

I don't hear any tentativeness - just another great version of this track!

Daniele innocenteventi

3y↑3

@countrypaul tenative?? Mary's was the perfect Motown voice.
Let's face it: we all love Diana devotely.
But there really is NO competition.

Marshall Edwards

2y↑3

Actually as Mary Wilson points out in her autobiography all three women were lead singers in the beginning it is just that Berry Gordy decided to focus on Diana Ross as lead singer and just favored her voice to the other two for lead for a pop sound. which in actuality Gordy missed MAJOR opportunities to develop Florence Ballard and Wilson cause it is CLEAR that Wilson and Ballard could have handled lead and taken the group even further ; they could handled jazz, R&B, country, ; what made them so special they had a unique sound blended together and had extraordinary chemistry together particularly in photos and covered other artists' songs like Temptations, Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, etc, you can hear Ballard and Wilson in the Supremes first album "Meet the Supremes" sharing leads or leading;

Carl Heese

3y↑9

R.I.P. 🙏 Mary. The original Kelly Rowland

John Harris

Love the comment

mrob75

6y↑2

Mary had a real smokey smooth voice to her back in the day....Berry should have let her (and Flo) take more leads on records.

quality333

6y↑1

starts off nice but soon after the song sounds like a rush job. Martha Reeves sings it slower with more passion and intensity The Vandellas were quite under rated due to the fact that they had only one #1 but the rest of their songs always hit the top 40

Michelle Kirkendall

@quality333 The album that the song comes from is "Supremes A Go-Go" from the year 1966. In this album, Supremes COVER songs by other Motown artists! This wasn't intended as a single release! You're wrong about the Vandellas...THEY were hitmakers, along with the Marvelettes BEFORE Supremes had any hits! "Come And Get These Memories" was one; "Heat Wave" "Quicksand," "Dancing In The Street." Motown used that concept often...each group would COVER fellow artists...makes lots of money for the company, and the songwriters!

D EdNupe

11y↑4

The Supremes " A Go Go" released in August 1966; Never heard this song before; Wished Berry Gordy had showcased Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard a little more besides Diana Ross; All three bought something to the table DEFINITELY. Yet, its nice to hear Mary Wilson on lead and Florence Ballard contributely heavily to the song; I can still hear Diana Ross in the background vocals but barely because Florence's voice is truly strong in the background.

Mr. Berrie

I love this song. In my opinion, Mary sounds good but does much better in the background (no shade).

Manuel Esparza

4y↑1

I would've loved 2 hear Diana sing this one and Mary and Flo on Heat Wave or Quicksand !!

ramardo1994

13y

@kenhamlett1 Mary's voice is suited for ballads.. She has soft voice but a big heart.

TWTR4EVER

8y↑1

THE SUPREMES with MS MARY WILSON at lead on their Motown Album/CD
"THE SUPREMES SING HOLLAND/DOZIER/HOLLAND"
The ever sensual, seductive smoky sound of Ms Mary Wilson along with the soulful, powerful, engaging sounds of Ms Florence Ballard together with the catchy, high pitch commercial sound of Diane Ross were the FEMALE TRIO, "THE SUPREMES"

Kendra G

3y↑1

Rest In Peace Mary

ramardo1994

13y↑4

If it wasn't for Florence Ballard who GOT the group together, and CHOSE the name SUPREMES then Ms. Ross would still be in Detroit. Favortism was the factor at Motown, Berry thought Florence and Mary's voice was too BLACK, and Diana had that WHITE commerical sound. Everybody giving Diana the glory, but Florence and Mary were the heart and soul of the Supremes.

Sixtiesfreak

16y↑1

in mary's book "Dreamgirls", she says it was a french model Berry Gordy met, in Paris, named Ariane Sorps. She came back to Detroit with them for a visit. :)

tillman david

Rest In Peace Miss Mary Wilson(March 6,1944-February 8,2021)

JukeBoxJunkie10

13y

@ramardo1994 True but at the same time when they tried Diana out on lead and let the other Motown staff and artists hear it Diana's voice on certain leads got most of the male staff overly "excited" including Berry Gordy and Berry thought that that Factor could help get adult men to buy Supremes records and not just teens. It wasn't like Diana got lead for no reason. It was the dirty reasons like her conniving and the fact that she dated around at Motown.

Jasper7182009

29w

It’s false. DR was lead for the Supremes from 1961 on. She sang the lead on all the A side singles except for one and that was buttered popcorn and Florence sang that lead. DR’s voice in 1960, 61, thru 62 was awful. It was screechy, tinny, and she sang through her nose. I just bet she got tremendous vocal training to get that voice down into her throat to sound only half bad. And Florence and Mary kept DR on key. Don’t believe those lies that Gordo chose DR for crossover. DR worked through all the men of Motown to sing the leads and once she got the lead, she never gave it up. But she did have an awful voice to begin with.

Donnie's Anectdolls and more!

Show business is DISGUSTING (what goes on behind the scenes and all the politics) so all I can think of is GOD ONLY KNOWS what poor Mary must have gone thru to be ALLOWED this lead. She TRULY SHINES in this song by the way!

timmy841212

17y↑4

Nice cover but it'll NEVER top the Martha and the Vandellas' version. The Supremes couldn't do 'em all now.

Breone Jamal McNill

timmy841212
Mary sounded ok.
Martha was fet up n gave that song what it needed.

JukeBoxJunkie10

13y↑1

@ramardo1994 At the same time Mary did Flo just as dirty by not standing by her. She let Flo take all the heat because she didn't wanna rock the boat and lose all the luxury she'd become accustomed to. And half the legend of the Supreme comes from the legends and gossip of what went on behind the scenes as much as they're music. At the end of the day they all played dirty but Berry went with cents over sense. It's a shame that he ruined lives in the process. But it is what it is i guess. KARMA

SWDetboy

4y↑1

Nice...

Edwin Alcántara

13y↑7

Mary! Mary! Mary! I love you so

HoneyHoneyBaby

16y

Love it! At 1:49 in the clip, who's the lady sitting with The Supremes? I love Flo in that wig, Beyonce looks a lil like her there.

Manuel Esparza

Sitting with The Supremes, she was a famous model.

Sixtiesfreak

16y

ooops. you're right. I bought that book in 1987, you'd think I'd know that. :)

Hypnotize

I wonder if Diana was back singing when Mary was on the lead

Michelle Kirkendall

3y↑1

@Brayan Sitchuen: Diana Ross did background vocals on MANY Supremes songs from 1961-1970...also during stage performances!

Hypnotize

@Michelle Kirkendall Oh thank you !! I didn't know that

MotownMaster

14y

@1pizzazz she was a singer named Diane Reney or something like that, she sang that song "Navy Blue"

Manuel Esparza

The Beauitful blonde with The Supremes is singer Diane Renay.

wonderboyjoy

14y

@tevtev92 what??? pitiful because i differ in opinion??? mary and florence got the proper accalaids..as teo backup singers they did nicely. they got their props when diana dragged them along with her. mary has an okay voice that's why she has not sold millions on her own. its a fact. it doesn't mean i don't like them. its not a sin to be a diana lover. she's the one that people have tried to rewrite history about if you want to get personal.

quality333

in every singing group there is always the cute one . Florence sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the other two. Just my opinion. She had the lips the figure the gorgeous face . The only turnoff was her speaking voice just didnt match the face . As far as vocals for this song its a no brainer she should have been lead vocal instead of Mary. If anyone sounds like Martha Reeves its Florence Ballard

kevin harrison

7y↑2

flo would've done a better job than ms. wilson & ms. reeves , & that other chick in the supremes.

Robert Doherty

6y↑1

0:37 Paris photo--"Marty" Wilson?

wonderboyjoy

14y

@WoodeytheBigEyedOne but its nothing special. just a floating nice soft voice. not the kind that sells millions. i love mary but her voice never inspired me to run out and buy her. this is a nice album filler.