Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ros… Read Full Bio ↴Diane Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944), better known as Diana Ross, is an American soul, R&B and pop singer and actress born in Detroit, Michigan. Ross is one of the most successful female artists of her era, both due to her solo work and her role as lead singer of The Supremes during the 1960s.

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 Wouldn
Diana Ross Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wouldn't change a thing
If I had to live my life all over
I wouldn't change a thing
If I had to live my life all over
I lived a life that's full
Many times I had to pull my way to the top
Never knowing where I'm gonna stop
I made my mistakes

But Lord, what I learned
It led me straight to you babe
And that's my only concern
I wouldn't change a thing
If I had to live my life all over
Oh, I'd do it all again
If I had to live my life all over
It saddens me to think
That somewhere along the way
I'd change my course
And I wouldn't be here today
So I'll take my ups and downs
And bear it with a smile
Cause it brought me straight to you babe
And it makes it all worthwhile
I wouldn't change a thing
If I had to live my life all over
I'd do it all again
If I had to live my life all over
Here I am
Here I'll stay

Here I am
Here I'll stay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Diana Ross's song, "I Wouldn't," express a sentiment of acceptance and contentment with the choices made and experiences had in life. Ross sings, "I wouldn't change a thing, If I had to live my life all over." This line speaks to the idea that despite any mistakes or missteps made in life, the singer has come to a place of recognition and appreciation for their journey. Ross acknowledges that life can be challenging and unpredictable, and that she has had to work hard to achieve her successes, but that the lessons learned and the love found along the way are worth it. The song also touches on the idea of fate or destiny, as Ross sings, "It brought me straight to you babe, And it makes it all worthwhile." This line implies that the singer may have gone through difficult times, but that ultimately those experiences led her to a positive outcome, namely finding love.

Overall, the lyrics convey an acceptance of one's past and present circumstances, and a willingness to continue navigating life's challenges, both good and bad. The final lines of the song, "Here I am, Here I'll stay," further emphasize this sense of contentment and commitment to one's current state of being.

Line by Line Meaning

I wouldn't change a thing
I am content with the way my life has played out and do not wish to alter any of my experiences

If I had to live my life all over
If given the chance to relive my life, I would not change anything that has happened

I lived a life that's full
I have lived a rich and fulfilling life

Many times I had to pull my way to the top
I have faced many challenges throughout my life that I had to overcome in order to reach success

Never knowing where I'm gonna stop
There were times when I was uncertain of my future and where my journey would lead me

I made my mistakes
I have made errors in judgement and have not always made the best decisions

But Lord, what I learned
However, I have grown and gained wisdom from my mistakes

It led me straight to you babe
My experiences have brought me to where I am today, and I am grateful for that

And that's my only concern
My one priority is my current state of contentment and the person I have become

Oh, I'd do it all again
If given the chance to live again, I would repeat all of my life's experiences

It saddens me to think
The thought of changing my history brings me sadness

That somewhere along the way
At some point during my life's journey

I'd change my course
I would alter my decisions or actions and therefore change the trajectory of my life

And I wouldn't be here today
My current content situation would not have come to pass if I had made different choices

So I'll take my ups and downs
I accept the trials and tribulations I have faced throughout my life

And bear it with a smile
I face these challenges with optimism and positivity

Cause it brought me straight to you babe
These experiences have brought me to my current state of happiness and contentment

And it makes it all worthwhile
The end result of my journey makes all the hardships and struggles worth it

Here I am
I am present and content in my current state

Here I'll stay
I am determined to remain in this state of contentment and happiness

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY BRISTOL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@HamlettKenneth

10y↑19

Like the others who commented to say they saw this concert live, I can say I saw it in New York City, and it was among the most spectacular concert performances I have ever seen.

@RobertMiller-tw1qy

7y↑1

Kenneth Hamlett I seen this concert in Las Vegas and it was spectacular to say the least the very best concert I've ever seen ever

@Bochanable

11y↑6

Your editing is so supreme that it feels and looks like the original broadway production of "An Evening with.....", the Tony Award winning musical that was different than the television special! I will always sing the praises of the Diana Ross Italian Fan Club for its dazzlingly professional video clips! Bravissimo!

@hunkhk

11y↑14

I dunno why some people love to dismiss Diana - if you look back at her amazing career she obviously worked bloody hard to achieve all she did and she has carried off amazingly - a true professional in every sense of the word

@robertbeatty9563

3y↑1

how could any one dismiss diana ross. truly a great singer and legend

@selfishone6634

3y↑2

The people who dismiss Diana Ross are jealous of her.

@mojo0307

@@selfishone6634 Totally agree . It was always about jealousy.

1 More Replies...

@eduardobasuino2392

6y↑13

A lot of the industry stars and singers
Were and are jealous of Diana Ross
What ever their reasons they know
Diana Ross from the very beginning was a talent
She was destined to become a star and a great talent

@clbernier2

37w↑1

I actually like this!!! Well the original has always been one of my favorite Diana Ross solo songs. I was 13 when I bought this album. ❤

@mrrossification

6y↑4

I saw this show twice in Boston it was truly amazing. From the mounted police controlling the crowd outside the Music Hall on the cobble stone street to this opening number with images projected on her dress,one exciting night at the theater I will never forget,

@richardrogers6328

11y↑4

can still remember when I saw the magnificent in concert years ago and she opened with this medley. it made all kinds of excited. btw - does anyone know why Motown - or whoever has the rights to Motown products now - have never released any of Miss Ross' tv specials? besides the two with the Temptations and the Supremes plus her own as a single, would really like to see the 90min. special she did on NBC. the concert was terrific especially when our Diana played Bessie Smith among others.

@brockevans862

11y↑2

Couldn't have said it better myself! Perfect!

@chuckcissel1106

11y↑7

I saw this production in NYC and Ms. Ross killed it beyond belief. She and Berry Gordy created not only a superstar, but an iconic figure that will last through all of our lifetimes. Tons of books have been written about her legendary life story, Broadway musicals have been mounted about her and surely a movie will be done about her life, She is ions above, the most important figure to come out of Motown, Berry had it right.

@Sokekajal

7y↑5

Simply beautiful!

@acbrown

4y↑5

Diana Ross was, is and will always be The Boss. I remember seeing this concert in Pittsburgh and playing this album constantly!

@paulbagdigian5959

4y↑2

I saw Diana perform this concert in Boston February 1977. I was 17 and this was the first concert of many that I would attend. I had the opportunity to be in the first row to see Diana back in 1997. I was overcome when she began to sing Good Morning Heartache at this performance. Diana saw me, came over to me and held my hand throughout the remainder if the song. I will never forget how beautiful and kind she was to me. She truly does appreciate her fans.

@coreywhy

6y↑2

Absolutely luv it !!🙂🌼🌼👗🔥🔥🔥🔥

@francescarroll5306

I Love this song

@andrewjanis3710

5y↑5

one of the best

@TheReturnOfStephan1

11y↑2

FABULOUS presentation! Thanks for posting.:)

@tonimorgan772

10y↑8

THE DIVA AT HER BEST

@mojo0307

37w

Saw this show in L.A. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Remember it like it was yesterday. Just Fabulous!

@kennethsjiemfat1570

Fabulous!

@chasenip2

11y↑2

Ok, WOW! I didn't realize exactly what I was watching here until the very end and then it hit me. Back in the early 90's I read Call Her Miss Ross (I love the book, tho I know some Diana fans don't) that described the opening of a show where images of her were shown on a screen that was actually her outfit. I always thought that sounded amazing and wanted to see it. Thank God for YouTube. I watched this and at the end I realized THIS was that opening number. THANK YOU for THIS!!!!

@gilbydog7350

4y↑2

Actually the opening described in "Call Her Miss Ross" is the opening of Diana's 1979 concert, which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpJxBw40kfU&t=13s . The 1976 concert that opened with "Here I am" is also spectacular though.

@chasenip2

3y↑2

@@gilbydog7350 Yes, the Caesar’s show wasn’t rare for me, it was on VHS. While stunning, I had seen it. This show opening was also described in Taraborelli’s book. I don’t care 2 shits about how catty & bitchy he was to make a buck. I love that book, I’ve read it probably a dozen times over the years. My first year living in NYC, in 1996, I found a CD of this show & wore it the hell out.

@kimidorinrin

11y↑3

This is The Legend. And Thanks for Johnny Bristol.

@festsmith4336

4y↑3

Yes Diana Ross .

@Usercantwelve

33w

❤❤❤❤❤

@ericanderson2098

6y↑6

THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE.............

@francescarroll5306

27w

I Love you Diana Ross

@mikebattista7491

2y↑1

seen the show 1977 forest hills stadium just awesome. she can really put on a good show, her issues are sometimes she just lazy, and does a lot of sing with me, stuff.

@jonldn

22w

Her lazy issues??? In all the times I have seen her in concert there have been some audience participations but I would never say these show her as “lazy” more in examples of knowing and control of an audience

@festsmith6400

4y↑1

Damn right most most m.Ross !

@francescarroll5306

27w

Love you Mama

@kentburrell3419

3y↑1

No words necessary...

@brianwoods9741

6y↑2

I remember baby love & come see about me I really was too young to really get into those songs although I still kind've liked them it was you can't hurry love that drove me nuts about Diana Ross I was still very young but I know this I liked me some can't hurry love I said then I was still very young about 6yrs old and was nuts over Diana's vocsls I said then Diana can saaang. And I was a fan ever sinse then.i began to follow the Supremes from then on even when she went solo anit no mountain high enough and all that. Then she came out with love hangover singing slow at first then speeding up to a disco dance best she was the first to do that and I was a complete fool for Ross then I'm like what the heck cant she do . I loved , love hangover so much my big sister took me to see Diana Ross my 1st concert ever and the gold star by which I judge all concerts , and that may by unfair to do but I do anyway. My sister and I had a pretty good seat in the balcony we could see everything up close at the Chicago Mc Corment place front row center seats Diana Ross gave a majestically spectacular performance , nothing short of stellar performance , stellar show that to me was one of the most enthralling performance far surpassing my imagination, that hooked me forever the show call An Evening With Diana Ross coming out and singing here I am , and the audience along with me went crazy and I said to myself , so there you are. And I loved her ever since.

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