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.
Family
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I mentioned earlier that the world is watching each of you.
You make me so proud I'm the happiest woman in the world right now.
I have a dream come true."
"I want you to listen to me now.
This is being televised again worldwide today.
Just calm yourselves, come on. Alright.
Can you feel me?
There are words in this song that to me are very special Listen."
It's more than you
It's more than me
No matter what we are
We are a family
This dream is for us
This one can be real
They can't stop us now
Because of how we feel
It's more than you
It's more than me
whatever dreams we have
They're for the family
We're not alone any more then
There are others there
And this dream's big enough
For all of us to share
So don't think you're going
We're not going anywhere
We're staying, taking our share
If you get afraid again
I'll be there
We are a family
Like a giant tree
Branching out towaards the sky
We are a family
And so much more
Than just you and I
We are a family
Like a giant tree
Growing strong
Growing wiser
We are
We are
a family
"I love you"
The lyrics of Diana Ross's song "Family" describe a moment of joyous unity and togetherness, as Ross addresses a group of people who she is proud of and who she sees as part of her extended family. She starts by asking if it's a beautiful day and calling them all beautiful, setting an optimistic and positive tone. She acknowledges that the world is watching them, emphasizing the importance of their moment, but also that they are all in it together. Ross expresses her pride in them and her happiness at being with them, calling it a dream come true. She then encourages them to listen to the words of the song which she sees as a declaration of their shared destiny and connection.
The lyrics then move into the main message of the song which is about the power of family. Ross sings about how "It's more than you, It's more than me, No matter what we are, We are a family". She emphasizes that whatever dreams they have, they are not just for one person, but for the whole family. She uses the metaphor of a giant tree branching out to the sky to represent the strength and growth that they can achieve together. Ross promises that they are not alone and that they will all share in the dream. She ends with the simple phrase "I love you", which ties the whole song together, emphasizing that love and unity are the most important parts of being a family.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it a beautiful day? You're beautiful!
Diana Ross starts the song with an upbeat tone, pointing out the beauty of the day and the beauty she sees in her audience.
I mentioned earlier that the world is watching each of you.
The world is paying attention to this moment and Diana Ross tells her audience that the world is watching them.
You make me so proud I'm the happiest woman in the world right now.
Diana Ross feels so proud and happy seeing how her audience has come together as one, she calls them a family and feels privileged to have witnessed such love.
I have a dream come true.
Diana Ross feels that her dream has been fulfilled with the coming together of people as a family.
I want you to listen to me now.
Diana Ross makes a request for the audience to pay close attention.
This is being televised again worldwide today.
Diana Ross reminds her audience that they are being watched globally through television.
Just calm yourselves, come on. Alright.
Diana Ross understands how her audience may feel before their performance and advises them to calm down and relax.
Can you feel me?
Diana Ross wants to know if her audience can feel her presence and support.
Yes, this may be the most important moment in my life.
Diana Ross feels that the moment they are in, performing as a family, might be the most important moment in her entire life.
There are words in this song that to me are very special Listen.
Diana Ross points out the importance of some of the song's lyrics and advises her audience to listen carefully.
It's more than you
It's more than me
No matter what we are
We are a family
Diana Ross acknowledges that they are more than individuals, together they form a strong family unit that cannot be broken.
This dream is for us
This one can be real
They can't stop us now
Because of how we feel
Diana Ross tells her audience that this dream for a strong family unit is real, and no one can break them because of their strong emotions and feelings towards each other.
whatever dreams we have
They're for the family
Diana Ross emphasizes the importance of dreaming as a family, where everyone's dreams are important and should be shared with everyone else.
We're not alone any more then
There are others there
And this dream's big enough
For all of us to share
Diana Ross reminds her audience that they are not alone anymore, as there are others who share their dream of a strong family unit that is big enough to accommodate all of them.
So don't think you're going
We're not going anywhere
We're staying, taking our share
Diana Ross tries to alleviate any fears of her audience leaving their newfound family and encourages them to stay and take their place in the family.
If you get afraid again
I'll be there
Diana Ross comforts her audience that if they feel afraid in the future, she will be there for them as a support system.
We are a family
Like a giant tree
Branching out towaards the sky
Diana Ross describes the family unit as a tall and strong tree, with branches reaching high up into the sky.
We are a family
And so much more
Than just you and I
Diana Ross emphasizes that the family unit is made up of more than just her and her audience, but a vast number of individuals who share their vision for a strong family.
We are a family
Like a giant tree
Growing strong
Growing wiser
We are
We are
a family
Diana Ross concludes the song by reinforcing the strength of their family unit, as it grows both in strength and wisdom.
I love you
Diana Ross ends the song with a simple message of love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRY D. KRIEGER, TOM EYEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Chen
What a beautiful voice, I love this song. She looks and sounds like a legend, cuz she is.
Bochanable
I stood amongst the 800k+ that strange day in July. I knew the "Dreamgirls" cast album like any hit album. Considering the controversy about her ever seeing the show it was exciting because New Yorkers knew that cast album as well. It was a triumphant moment.
Damon Trent
I love you so dearly Ms. Ross....you have always lifted me up.
Sharon Denise Smith Sharon
Love this talented woman!
SassyBratt1
Inspiring! The world needs more Diana's to put a smile in our hearts!
Kevin Mansell
yes the song is from Dreamgirls but this is Diana Ross All On Her Own Performance this song belongs To Our Diana
ProUSA burttly
This concert will be shown 2 nights in 700 theaters Worldwide...
Kevin Mansell
could Beyonce ever do a performance and talk with her fans calmly as possible ?
JLoveLamar
Absolutely!
UncleDu
Diana Ross ain't no fool...Dreamgirls may have made her look like crap to people who took it literally but that score was RIDICULOUS and she would have been nuts not to sing something off it.