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.
I'm Coming Out remix
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm coming
I'm coming out
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I'm coming out
I got to let it show
There's a new me coming out
And I just had to live
And I want to give
I'm completely positive
I think this time around
I am gonna do it
Like you never do it
Like you never knew it
Oh, I'll make it through
The time has come for me
To break out of the shell
I have to shout
That I'm coming out
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show
I've got to show the world
All that I want to be
And all my billities
There's so much more to me
Somehow, I have to make them
Just understand
I got it well in hand
And, oh, how I've planned
I'm spreadin' love
There's no need to fear
And I just feel so glad
Every time I hear
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show
The song "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross is often interpreted as an anthem for coming out and embracing one's true identity. The infectious disco beat and catchy lyrics convey a message of empowerment and liberation, urging listeners to let go of their fears and insecurities and embrace their authentic selves. The repeated refrain of "I'm coming out" is a powerful declaration of self-acceptance, and the lyrics encourage listeners to be confident, positive, and proud of who they are.
The first verse of the song introduces the theme of self-expression and the desire to be seen and accepted for who you truly are. The line "I want the world to know, got to let it show" suggests a need for visibility, and the repetition of the phrase "I'm coming out" reinforces the idea that the singer is stepping out of the shadows and into the light. The second verse takes this theme even further, with references to a "new me" and a sense of excitement about the possibilities of the future. The line "I think this time around, I am gonna do it like you never do it, like you never knew it" has an almost confrontational tone, challenging others to see the singer in a new light and to embrace their newfound confidence.
Overall, "I'm Coming Out" is a celebration of self-discovery and self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and to be unapologetically proud of who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I'm coming
I am making my appearance
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
Got to let it show
I need to express who I am
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
I got to let it show
I need to express who I am
There's a new me coming out
I am making a major change in my identity
And I just had to live
I had to live my true self
And I want to give
I want to share my true self
I'm completely positive
I am very confident in myself
I think this time around
I believe things will be different now
I am gonna do it
I am going to reveal my true self without any hesitation
Like you never do it
As if I've never done it before
Like you never knew it
As if nobody knew my true identity before
Oh, I'll make it through
I will get through any difficulties
The time has come for me
Now is the time for me
To break out of the shell
To come out of hiding
I have to shout
I have to make everyone aware
That I'm coming out
That I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
Got to let it show
I need to express who I am
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
I got to let it show
I need to express who I am
I've got to show the world
I need to express my true self to everyone
All that I want to be
All the aspects of my true self that I want to express
And all my billities
And all my abilities
There's so much more to me
There are many aspects of me that people don't know
Somehow, I have to make them
I have to find a way to make people understand
Just understand
Just understand my true self
I got it well in hand
I have a plan for revealing my true self
And, oh, how I've planned
I've planned this for a long time
I'm spreadin' love
I'm expressing love and acceptance for myself and others
There's no need to fear
There's no need to be afraid of expressing your true self
And I just feel so glad
And I feel happy and relieved to finally reveal my true self
Every time I hear
Whenever people appreciate and accept my true self
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
Got to let it show
I need to express who I am
I'm coming out
I am revealing my true self
I want the world to know
I want everyone to be aware of my true identity
I got to let it show
I need to express who I am
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NILE RODGERS, BERNARD EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eddie Miles
This should have been the Original Version.... You NEVER disappoint! Awesome!
Zizo Gaucho
Agreeeee
Narib Hidden
I am of the same thought with his work, I am so looking forward to what else he shines a spotlight on.
themotownboy1
Hi Eddie, thank you for your kind words and support.
James Monroe
Regardless of whether it was the CHIC version or MOTOWN’s version,one thing’s for sure-the vocal genius of Miss Ross-“The Boss”-& The songwriting,producing,and arranging geniuses of Messrs.Rodgers and Edwards-somehow manage to SHINE through on the finished product!💯👌
caine gilchrist
Absolutely brilliant :-)
themotownboy1
Thank you!
Nutty B Santos
This version is soooo amazing ❤️
Van
Mulher linda! Que artista maravilhosa! 🇧🇷❤️
John Poole
I've always been perplexed by the drum track prior to settling in. Could it have been a guide track for horn overdubs which were eventually left out? Also, the phrasing of the song really threw me when I was transcribing it. To me it is a seven measure phrase but a measure seems to have been added for the horn swell to happen.