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.
It's Hard For Me To Say
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you would love for me to say
All of things I feel
Though you don't doubt they're real
Insecure, very shy
Are the only reasons I have why
I never say the things that you would love to hear
All the words I try
So they're words I don't always say, but
It's in my love, it's in my feeling
It's in the very same heart that loved you from the start
It's in the heat, it's in the spirit
And it's got me totally high
It's just hard for me to say why
Kinda sad, kinda blue
Because I wanted to tell you
That you were in my heart
Though we were far apart
Didn't know how to say
All the little things to make you stay
And not to keep assuming
You could read my mind
You're the one I love
Though it's hard for you to know
'Cause the words I don't always say, but
It's in my love, it's in my feeling
It's in the very same heart that loved you from the start
It's in the heat, it's in the spirit
And it's got me totally high
It's just hard for me to say why
In Diana Ross's song It's Hard for Me to Say, she admits to her lover that she struggles to express her feelings verbally. She explains that she loves them, but she finds it hard to say the words that they want to hear. She blames her insecurity and shyness for her inability to communicate her emotions effectively. She acknowledges that this puts a strain on their relationship and that she is aware of this, but it's still challenging for her to express herself. The song is a heartfelt confession of her love, but also a plea for her lover's understanding and patience.
The song's lyrics are relatable to many people who struggle with expressing their feelings, even when they deeply care about someone. The theme of the song is universal, and it speaks to the human condition of vulnerability and the fear of rejection. Most people can relate to experiencing insecurity and shyness in their personal relationships, and this song captures that sentiment powerfully.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't know 'til today
I was unaware until now
That you would love for me to say
That expressing my feelings is something that you desire
All of things I feel
The emotions I experience
Though you don't doubt they're real
Despite knowing they are authentic
Insecure, very shy
My timid nature causes doubts about my ability to share my emotions
Are the only reasons I have why
I can only attribute my reticence to these factors
I never say the things that you would love to hear
I refrain from expressing what I know would please you
All the words I try
Any attempt I make
Disappoint me and I cry
Result in my disappointment and tears
So they're words I don't always say, but
This is why I sometimes refrain from speaking
It's in my love, it's in my feeling
My affection and sentiment are genuine
It's in the very same heart that loved you from the start
The emotional source has never changed
It's in the heat, it's in the spirit
It's a fervor that ignites my soul
And it's got me totally high
It makes me feel ecstatic
It's just hard for me to say why
I struggle to explain the reason why
Kinda sad, kinda blue
I feel a little downhearted
Because I wanted to tell you
As I wanted to express
That you were in my heart
The place where I keep you dear
Though we were far apart
Despite the physical distance between us
Didn't know how to tell you
Unsure of how to voice my emotions
All the little things to make you stay
The actions I could take to make you remain
And not to keep assuming
But to stop presuming
You could read my mind
That you can understand my thoughts without me speaking them aloud
You're the one I love
You are the object of my affection
Though it's hard for you to know
Though it's difficult for you to understand
Cause the words I don't always say, but
Because I occasionally choose to keep my feelings hidden
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN VERNON ANDERSON, LUTHER VANDROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind