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.
Does Your Mama Know About Me
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Does she know just what I am?
Will she turn her back on me
Or accept me as I am?
And what about your dad?
Did you think of what he'll say?
Will he be understanding
Or does he think the usual way?
But I've been through this before
And I'd like to get things straight
Before I'm knocking on your door
Does your mama know about me?
Does she know just what I am?
If she says forget about me,
Do you think you'll understand?
And what about your friends?
Do you care what people say?
Will you accept the burdens
I know will surely come your way?
Maybe I shouldn't worry
But I've been through this before
And I'd like to get things straight
Before I'm knocking on your door
Does your mama know about me?
Does she know just what I am?
Will she turn her back on me
Or accept me as I am?
Oh, we've got to stand tall,
Tumble, and crawl
We've got to be strong
For a love that's so right
Can't be wrong
And every day, I see it grow
I don't want to let it go
That's why I gotta know
Does your mama know about me?
Does she know just what I am?
Does your mama know about me?
Does she know just what I am?
(repeat and fade out)
The lyrics to Diana Ross's "Does Your Mama Know About Me" revolves around a man who fears the reaction of his love's parents and friends to their interracial relationship. He's seeking clarity regarding whether his partner's mother is aware of his presence and how she regards him. He's unsure whether she'll accept him as he is or reject him altogether. He's also concerned about what her father and friends will say and asks whether she'll care about their opinion, and if she is willing to face the challenges that come with being in an interracial relationship.
Ross sings in the chorus that they must stand tall, tumble, and crawl to fight for their love. The song outlines the complications that interracial relationships face and the desire for acceptance despite the societal norms. The singer's fear and insecurity about being rejected for his race show the racial tension and intolerance present when the song was released in 1969.
Overall, the song highlights the issues that interracial couples face and the anxiety that comes with introducing your partner to your family and friends. The song's lyrics point out the importance of communication and accepting others despite their race, gender, or sexuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Does your mama know about me?
Are you open and honest with your family about your relationship with me?
Does she know just what I am?
Do you accurately portray my identity, background, and character to your family?
Will she turn her back on me
Am I at risk of being rejected by your mother and thus causing conflict in our relationship?
Or accept me as I am?
Will your mother be tolerant of me or will she expect me to change to meet her standards?
And what about your dad?
What does your father think of our relationship and will there be any issues with him?
Did you think of what he'll say?
Have you considered how your father will perceive our relationship and what concerns he may have?
Will he be understanding
Will your father show empathy and tolerance towards our relationship?
Or does he think the usual way?
Or will your father conform to traditional societal norms and potentially disapprove of us being together?
Maybe I shouldn't worry
Perhaps I am overthinking and being too anxious about these potential issues?
But I've been through this before
I have faced similar challenges in past relationships and am wary of repeating those negative experiences.
And I'd like to get things straight
I wish to address any concerns and doubts before they escalate into bigger problems.
Before I'm knocking on your door
I want to clear things up before meeting your family and facing their scrutiny.
If she says forget about me,
If your mother demands that you end the relationship, what will your decision be?
Do you think you'll understand?
Will you be willing to accept your mother's wishes or will you stand by our relationship?
And what about your friends?
Do your peers support our relationship, or do they disapprove?
Do you care what people say?
Do you value the opinions of others more than your own feelings and choices?
Will you accept the burdens
Are you ready to endure the challenges and stigma that may come with our relationship?
I know will surely come your way?
I understand the difficulties that may arise due to societal biases and prejudices.
Oh, we've got to stand tall,
We need to be confident and resilient in our love for each other.
Tumble, and crawl
We need to be prepared to face obstacles and setbacks, but continue to persevere.
We've got to be strong
We need to be emotionally and mentally tough to overcome challenges in our relationship.
For a love that's so right
Our love for each other is authentic and true despite any external factors or resistance.
Can't be wrong
Our love for each other is not a mistake or a wrongdoing.
And every day, I see it grow
Our love for each other strengthens and flourishes every day.
I don't want to let it go
I refuse to let go of our relationship despite any potential difficulties.
That's why I gotta know
This is why I need to know your family's true opinions and feelings towards us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOMAS CHONG, TOM BAIRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Yusef
Diana killed this! Her tone and phrasing is superb. This is singing, this should've been released instead of being an album cut.
frankie hunter
Great, deep meaning lyrics. Diana SHINES as always.
Jayson Cornish
You know that Tommy Chong (yeah of Cheech and Chong fame) wrote this.
Lisa Monaghan
Awesome group one of a kind!!!
Nordland2
I have this LP Love Child...one of my favorites....been listening to it since it came out..
Doowopper45
I am shocked how good this is. As good as Harlettes and the Vancouvers.
Violet Valentine
Beautiful song with Diana at her best. I'm assuming it's about a black woman going home to meet her white boyfriend's family for the first time.... they really had some amazing material in the Love Child era. It's a shame Florence wasn't given some of these songs, I really think she would have shone since I think the songs on Love Child were perfect material for her sad, soulful vocals. Diana is brilliant as always tho.
Tao P
The song was written by Tommy Chong when he was with Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers. Yes the Cheech and Chong Tommy!
FREELEOONE
The brilliance of this beautifully crafted song is that it can be interpreted in many ways. Ultimately, it is about the "other's" concern about acceptance into a group which some may feel they do not belong. The song is co-written by a Mexican-American man who has at least two bi-racial children. Perhaps he was just giving voice to his own angst.
Diane Sellers
As a Black woman from a middle-class upbringing, I always thought this song was almost a follow-up to Love Child, with the "tenement slum" girl going to meet her guy's upper-class parents. Would they allow the relationship to flourish, or tell him he can do better than her and forbid him to see her?