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.
Fire Don't Burn
Diana Ross Lyrics
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Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
I never miss you, no, I never miss you
And I don't need you, no, I don't need you
Except when my heart breaks
I'm getting used to being alone
In this empty house, that's not a home
And tell myself it's over, now put you on a shelf
And tell myself I'm happy and I also tell myself
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
In every room I found, something you left behind
Come get 'em, they're all yours
I haven't changed the locks, you don't have to knock
Your key fits every door
It doesn't mean that I want you back
I'll find someone else and that's a fact
I'm better off without you, that's what I say all day
I say, I'm glad you left me and I also say
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
I'm getting used to being alone
In this empty house, that's not a home
I tell myself it's over and I put you on a shelf
I tell myself I'm happy and I also tell myself
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water it runs dry
And it snows in July
Fire won't burn, water is dry
And I, I never cry
The lyrics of "Fire Don't Burn" by Diana Ross express the singer's attitude towards the end of a romantic relationship. The repeated assertion that "fire won't burn, water is dry" creates a sense of disbelief and confusion, as if the singer is trying to convince herself that the world has turned upside down. This is reinforced by the line "and it snows in July," which is a metaphor for something that's impossible or unexpected. The singer is determined to move on from the failed relationship, declaring that she never cries and never misses her former partner. However, there is a sense of denial and defensiveness in her words - she repeats the same phrases over and over, as if trying to convince herself of something she doesn't entirely believe.
The second verse continues the theme of trying to adjust to life without the other person. The singer is "getting used to being alone" in a house that feels empty and unwelcoming. She tells herself that she's better off without her former partner, and that she'll find someone else. However, there's a hint of bitterness and hurt in her words - the fact that she hasn't changed the locks on the door suggests that she's still holding out hope that her ex will return, even if she won't admit it.
Overall, "Fire Don't Burn" is a song about the struggle to move on from a relationship, and the mixed emotions and conflicting feelings that this process can involve. The singer is trying to convince herself that she's over her ex, but there are hints of unresolved feelings and regrets throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire won't burn, water is dry
Nothing seems to work right or logically in this world, as even fundamental principles such as fire burning and water being wet are defied.
And it snows in July
Even more bizarre and unlikely events occur, such as snowfall in the summer month of July.
And I, I never cry
Despite all of this chaos and confusion, the singer remains emotionally stable and does not shed tears over her situation.
I never miss you, no, I never miss you
The singer claims that she does not miss her former partner, asserting this fact twice for emphasis.
Except when I'm awake
However, she admits that she does think of him when she is awake and conscious.
And I don't need you, no, I don't need you
The singer also claims that she does not need her former partner, also repeating this fact twice for emphasis.
Except when my heart breaks
Yet, she elaborates that she only feels a need for him when she is experiencing emotional pain and heartbreak.
I'm getting used to being alone
The singer has adjusted to living alone and without her partner, indicating that some time has passed since their separation.
In this empty house, that's not a home
However, she still feels a sense of loneliness and emptiness in her dwelling due to the absence of her former partner.
And tell myself it's over, now put you on a shelf
The singer attempts to rationalize her situation and move on, convincing herself that the relationship is finished and placing her feelings for her former partner aside.
And tell myself I'm happy and I also tell myself
She tries to further persuade herself that she is content and fulfilled without her former partner by repeating positive affirmations to herself.
In every room I found, something you left behind
Despite her attempts to move on, reminders of her former partner are present throughout her living space.
Come get 'em, they're all yours
The singer invites her former partner to retrieve his belongings that he has left behind in her home.
I haven't changed the locks, you don't have to knock
She has not taken drastic measures to keep him out of her life or home, as his key still works to unlock her doors.
Your key fits every door
Despite their separation, he still has access to her personal space and possessions.
It doesn't mean that I want you back
Though she has not outrightly rejected his belongings or altered the locks, the singer clarifies that it does not indicate a desire to rekindle the relationship.
I'll find someone else and that's a fact
The singer remains resolute in moving forward with her life and finding a new romantic partner.
I'm better off without you, that's what I say all day
The singer affirms her belief that her life is improved and happier without her former partner in it.
I say, I'm glad you left me and I also say
She repeats positive affirmations to herself regarding the end of the relationship and being better off without him.
And it snows in July
The improbable and impossible continue to occur, as demonstrated by snowfall in July still being a constant in the world around her.
Fire won't burn, water is dry
The opening line is repeated once again to conclude the song, emphasizing the ongoing theme of chaos and disrupted natural order.
And I, I never cry
The singer maintains her emotional composure and stability, remaining unmoved by the upheavals of life depicted in the song.
Contributed by Chase I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.