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 My Sunny Boy
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now let me tell you how much good
You've done me boy
Cause when I'm feeling alone
You give me plenty joy
Into each lives some rain must fall
But with you here
There's no rain at all
Sunny boy
Looks good in everything
From silk to corduroy
To see him I'd walk from Idaho to Illinois
(Or anywhere)
Do anything to be with him
My sunshine when the world is dim
It's sunny boy, sunny boy
My pride and joy
Sunny boy
Sunny boy
You made my life so sweet
It's just like honey, boy
And I love you so much till it ain't funny boy
My cloudy days have been de-clouded
Since you're here so keep on shining
Sunny boy, sunny boy
My pride and joy
Hey, sunny boy
My honey boy
Now only your sweet lovin' can give me joy
I'm trying to tell the world
That you're my sunny boy
The lyrics of He's My Sunny Boy by Diana Ross & The Supremes exemplify the themes of love, devotion, and emotional support. The song portrays a relationship between two individuals, where one of them is always there for the other, through hardships and happiness, making their life sweeter and enjoyable. The lyricist uses "sunny boy" as a metaphor for the person whom the singer is addressing, and the entire song revolves around the impact that person has on speaker's life.
The opening lines of the song state that the "sunny boy" has done significant good for the singer by giving them joy and happiness when they feel alone. The song acknowledges that every life has its rain, but the presence of the "sunny boy" eliminates all the rain. The lyrics further admire the "sunny boy's" appearance, stating that he looks good in everything from silk to corduroy, emphasizing that the person is perfect in every sense. The singer goes on to say that they will go to any extent to be with the "sunny boy" and that he is their sunshine when the world is dim. The chorus of the song reaffirms that he is the singer's pride and joy.
The next verses furthers the lyrical expression of love by stating that the "sunny boy" has made their life sweet like honey. They also mention that their cloudy days have become de-clouded in his presence. The singer expresses their love by informing the world that the "sunny boy" is their only happiness, and the entire song ends with a repetition of the belief that he is the singer's "sunny boy," "pride and joy," and "honey boy."
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Sunny boy
Addressing the person, who brings joy as 'Sunny boy'
Now let me tell you how much good
Expressing the need to convey how much happiness the person brings
You've done me boy
Acknowledging the good that the person has done in their life
Cause when I'm feeling alone
Explaining the reason why the person is important to them
You give me plenty joy
Acknowledging the joy the person brings to their life
Into each lives some rain must fall
Expressing that every life has its ups and downs
But with you here
Emphasizing the importance of the person's presence in their life
There's no rain at all
Explaining how the person brings light and happiness to their life
Sunny boy
Referencing the person as 'Sunny boy'
Looks good in everything
Complimenting the person on their appearance
From silk to corduroy
Enumerating the different clothing that the person looks good in
To see him I'd walk from Idaho to Illinois
Expressing the extent to which the person is important to them
(Or anywhere)
Making it clear that they would travel anywhere to be with the person
Do anything to be with him
Expressing the care and dedication that they have for the person
My sunshine when the world is dim
Comparing the person to sunshine, brightening up their life
It's sunny boy, sunny boy
Affirming and repeating the person's nickname 'Sunny boy'
My pride and joy
Expressing that the person is their source of pride and happiness
Sunny boy
Addressing the person as 'Sunny boy'
You made my life so sweet
Acknowledging that the person brings a lot of joy to their life
It's just like honey, boy
Comparing the person's presence in their life to honey, sweet and fulfilling
And I love you so much till it ain't funny boy
Expressing the depth of their love for the person
My cloudy days have been de-clouded
Explaining how the person has helped brighten up their bad days
Since you're here so keep on shining
Encouraging the person to keep being a source of light in their life
Hey, sunny boy
Addressing the person as 'Sunny boy'
My honey boy
Referencing the person as their 'honey boy'
Now only your sweet lovin' can give me joy
Affirming that the person is the only one who can bring happiness to their life
I'm trying to tell the world
Expressing the desire to share their love and experience with the person
That you're my sunny boy
Reiterating that the person is their 'Sunny boy'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind