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.
Dark Side Of The World
Diana Ross Lyrics
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On the dark side of the world
My days are darker than your nights
Since I lost you, babe
Since I lost you, babe
I'm like an ember
One more tear, and I know I'll disappear
Bring back the sunshine
That you took away
'Cause I need ya
And I want ya
Just don't think I'm gonna make it without your love
Don't you know
Such a loneliness I've never known
Since I lost you, babe
Since I lost you, babe
I'm like a woman who once knew splendor
Now all her wealth and riches
They are gone
Bring back the sunshine
That you took away
'Cause I need ya
And I want ya
And I just don't think I'm gonna make it without your love
Bring back the sunshine that you took away
Now my future lies in back of me
Since I lost you, babe
Since I lost you, babe
I walk this lonely road to eternity
Just despair and emptiness everywhere
Bring back the sunshine
That you took away
'Cause I need ya
And I want ya
I just don't think I'm gonna make it without your love
Don't leave me, don't leave me here
On the dark side of the world
Oh, don't you leave me here
On the dark side of the world
'Cause I need ya
Oh, you know I want ya
Right here on the dark side of the world
The lyrics of "Dark Side Of The World" by Diana Ross convey a deep yearning for a lost love. The singer pleads with their significant other not to leave them on the "dark side of the world," where everything is gray and full of despair. The darkness the person is experiencing is like an ember fading out of sight. The individual fears that they will disappear completely, overwhelmed by the loneliness that they have never known before.
The person compares themselves to a woman who has lost her wealth and riches, indicating that they once had everything, but now it was all taken away. The singer says that their future lies behind them, which suggests that they cannot move forward without the return of their lover. The lyrics are full of desperation, as the person claims that they cannot make it without the love of their significant other.
Overall, "Dark Side of the World" is a poignant and emotional song that speaks to the pain that comes with the loss of a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't leave me, don't leave me here
I am pleading with you not to abandon me
On the dark side of the world
In a place of sadness and despair
My days are darker than your nights
My life is filled with sorrow and gloom
Since I lost you, babe
Ever since you left me, things have been bleak
I'm like an ember
I am slowly losing my light
Fading out of sight
Gradually disappearing
One more tear, and I know I'll disappear
One additional instance of sadness and I will cease to exist
Bring back the sunshine
Restore the joy and happiness
That you took away
You were responsible for my happiness
'Cause I need ya
I depend on you for my happiness
And I want ya
I desire your presence and love
Just don't think I'm gonna make it without your love
Without your love, I will not be able to endure
Don't you know
Are you aware
Such a loneliness I've never known
I have never experienced this level of sadness and isolation
I'm like a woman who once knew splendor
I used to live a full and luxurious life
Now all her wealth and riches
All of her material possessions
They are gone
Have been taken away and she is left with nothing
Now my future lies in back of me
My future does not hold any promise
I walk this lonely road to eternity
I am traveling through life without anyone by my side
Just despair and emptiness everywhere
All around me there is only hopelessness and a void
Oh, don't you leave me here
I am begging you not to abandon me
Oh, you know I want ya
My feelings for you are strong
Right here on the dark side of the world
With me, in this place of despair and sadness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind