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.
He's Funny That Way
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
I got a woman crazy for me
I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She'd be so much better off if I went away.
But why should I leave her, why should I go
She'd be unhappy without me I know
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
She should have the very best, Anyone can see
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
Never had nothin'; no one to care
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
I got a woman, crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
Her only answer is one little smile,
I got a woman crazy for me.
She's funny that way.
I can see no other way and no better plan,
End it all and let her go to some better man;
But I'm only human, coward at best
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
I got a woman crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
The song He's Funny That Way by Diana Ross tells the story of a man who is not conventionally attractive, ambitious or successful, yet he still has a woman who is crazy for him. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who was once wealthy and lived a life of luxury but now seems out of place and has fallen from grace. She is now content with being draped around the kitchen sink and happy to be with the man who loves her. The singer reflects on why this woman would choose to be with him, who is not much to look at and does not have much to offer. He wonders why she would slave away for him every day and be satisfied with just him.
Despite his uncertainties, the singer is grateful for this woman's love and devotion. He sings about how lucky he is to have someone crazy for him and how she is different from the rest, satisfied with what he can offer her. He acknowledges that he doesn't have much to give in terms of material possessions, but she still loves him anyway. At times, he feels like he doesn't deserve her and that it's all too good to be true.
Overall, the song speaks to the theme of unconditional love and how it can exist between two people who may not fit the traditional mold of a perfect match. It shows that sometimes, love is not logical, and the heart wants what it wants, even if others may not understand it.
Line by Line Meaning
Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls Royce car
She used to flaunt expensive clothing and cars in her previous life before she met her current partner.
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Her current lifestyle is quite different from what she was used to before and she feels like she doesn't belong anymore.
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
She finds joy in the simple things in life, like doing household chores and being around her partner in their home.
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
He wonders what it is about him that made her fall in love with him despite his shortcomings.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
He doesn't have any striking or impressive physical qualities.
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
He's content with his life and feels grateful for what he has.
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
She's not materialistic and would be happy as long as she's with him.
Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She willingly does everything for him without complaining.
She'd be so much better off if I went away.
He thinks she deserves someone better than him and would be happier without him, even though he knows she loves him.
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
Despite his shortcomings, she's happy with him and doesn't want anything more than what they already have together.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
He's constantly worried about how to provide for and take care of her.
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
He feels like their relationship is too perfect and unrealistic to last forever.
Never had nothin'; no one to care
He's never had much in life and didn't have anyone to rely on before he met her.
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
He feels like he's been blessed with more than he deserves in life, especially in terms of love and companionship.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
He occasionally does something to upset her.
Her only answer is one little smile,
She forgives him easily and responds with a simple smile instead of getting angry.
I can see no other way and no better plan,
He can't think of any other solution to their problems or a better plan for their future together.
End it all and let her go to some better man;
He's considering leaving her for her own good.
But I'm only human, coward at best
He's only human and can't bring himself to leave her even though he thinks it's what's best for her.
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
He knows she would go anywhere with him, even if it means moving across the country.
I got a woman crazy for me,
He has a woman who loves him deeply.
She's funny that way.
Despite their differences and his shortcomings, she still loves him and stays with him.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Neil Moret, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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