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.
Lover Man
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm feeling so sad
I long to try
Something I never had
Never had no kissing
Ooh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
The night is cold
And I'm so all alone
I'll give my soul
Just to call you my own
Hugging and kissing
Ooh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I've heard it say
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with the prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet little things in my ears
Hugging and kissing
Ooh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I've heard it say
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with the prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet little things in my ears
Hugging and kissing
Ooh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
In Diana Ross's song "Lover Man," the singer expresses her longing for romantic fulfillment. She admits that she does not know why she feels so sad, but she longs for "something I never had." This longing is rooted in an absence of physical touch - specifically, kissing - which she describes as "what I've been missing." She then repeats the refrain, "Lover man, oh, where can you be?" to emphasize her feelings of loneliness and desire.
As the song continues, Ross describes herself as "so all alone" in the "cold night." She would "give [her] soul" to have a lover to call her own, someone with whom she could experience "hugging and kissing." She muses that the "thrill of romance" can be akin to a "heavenly dream," and confesses that she goes to bed every night hoping for that dream to become a reality. Ross keeps repeating the idea that she is longing for the physical act of kissing during the song to emphasize the idea that she is not fulfilled romantically.
The song's emotional tone is ultimately one of anticipation and longing, as Ross imagines a future in which she will meet this lover who will finally "dry all [her] tears" and whisper "sweet little things" into her ears. Through her lyrics, Ross ultimately expresses her desire for connection and romantic fulfillment, painting a picture of a woman who is open to love but has not yet found it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why
I don't understand the source of my sadness.
But I'm feeling so sad
I am experiencing a deep sadness.
I long to try
I have a strong desire to experience something new.
Something I never had
Something that I have never experienced before.
Never had no kissing
I have not experienced the joy of kissing.
Ooh, what I've been missing
I am aware of what I am lacking and the joy it would bring.
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I am searching for someone to fulfill my desires and bring me joy.
The night is cold
It is a lonely and uninviting night.
And I'm so all alone
I am completely by myself.
I'll give my soul
I would sacrifice all that I have for this person.
Just to call you my own
For the privilege of being in a romantic relationship with you.
Hugging and kissing
Physical affection that has been lacking in my life.
Ooh, what we've been missing
Both of us have been deprived of physical affection.
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I am still seeking the one who can provide the love and affection I desire.
I've heard it say
I have heard others say.
That the thrill of romance
The excitement and passion that comes with love and attraction.
Can be like a heavenly dream
It can be described as an incredibly blissful experience.
I go to bed with the prayer
I ask for this person in my prayers.
That you'll make love to me
I hope that this person will reciprocate my love and affection.
Strange as it seems
Although it may seem unusual to others.
Someday we'll meet
I believe that one day we will finally be in each other's lives.
And you'll dry all my tears
This person will soothe my sadness and bring emotional comfort.
Then whisper sweet little things in my ears
They will say romantic and loving things to encourage our relationship.
Hugging and kissing
Physical affection that has been lacking in my life.
Ooh, what we've been missing
Both of us have been deprived of physical affection.
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I am still seeking the one who can provide the love and affection I desire.
I've heard it say
I have heard others say.
That the thrill of romance
The excitement and passion that comes with love and attraction.
Can be like a heavenly dream
It can be described as an incredibly blissful experience.
I go to bed with the prayer
I ask for this person in my prayers.
That you'll make love to me
I hope that this person will reciprocate my love and affection.
Strange as it seems
Although it may seem unusual to others.
Someday we'll meet
I believe that one day we will finally be in each other's lives.
And you'll dry all my tears
This person will soothe my sadness and bring emotional comfort.
Then whisper sweet little things in my ears
They will say romantic and loving things to encourage our relationship.
Hugging and kissing
Physical affection that has been lacking in my life.
Ooh, what we've been missing
Both of us have been deprived of physical affection.
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I am still seeking the one who can provide the love and affection I desire.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind