The single reached #10 on the pop singles chart (holding this position for six weeks) and #4 on the R&B singles chart upon its release and was the first single from her gold-certified album, Silk Electric. The song, which was named after Jackson's pet snake and was written for Ross and her "desire" for a muscle-bound lover, also gave Ross her twelfth and final Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
The song was remade in 1997 by producer/DJ Peter Rauhofer recording as Club 69 and was a featured single on the Club 69 album, Style. The vocals on the remade version of "Muscles" are performed by singer-songwriter, Suzanne Palmer.
Lil' Kim sampled "Muscles" for her rap Diamonds but it was not included in the final cut of her album, The Notorious KIM.
Young Jeezy also sampled "Muscles" for the title track of his album, The Inspiration.
Muscles
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To always understand
But that's alright for her
Still it ain't enough for me
She said she wants a guy
To keep her satisfied
But that's alright for her
But it ain't enough for me
(Just make him beautiful)
I just want someone I can hold on to
I want muscles
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
I want muscles
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
They say they have to see
His real personality
But that's alright for them
Still it ain't enough for me
I need what the eyes can see, ah
(His anatomy)
If that's alright for them
Still it ain't enough for me
I don't care if he's young or old
Just make him beautiful
I just want some strong man to hold on to
I want muscles
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
I want muscles
All over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
Muscle man, I want to love you
In person, I want your body
Come with me, hiding the cascades
Let this be, we've got this thing made
Lost at sea, hide the desert
Stay with me, you won't regret it
Take this love, so deep to swim in
Come to me, and let the love in
She said she wants a man
To always understand
But that's alright for her
Still it ain't enough for me
I don't care if he's young or old
(Just make him beautiful)
I just want someone I can hold on to
I want muscles
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
I want muscles
All over him, all over him
I want muscles
All, all over his body
I want muscles
I want all I can get
All over him, all over him
I want muscles, muscles, muscles
The song "Muscles" by Diana Ross is a classic example of a love song with physical attraction mentioned in the lyrics. The singer is longing for a man with muscular, strong, and attractive physical features. She mentions that she is not interested in the personality or any other soft aspect of the man, but just the looks. She's looking for someone who has muscles all over his body, from head to toe. The line "I don't care if he's young or old, just make him beautiful" shows how beauty is the only criteria for the person she wants.
The singer emphasizes the importance of being physically strong and fit, which is interesting because this song was released in the 1980s when the fitness craze was taking over the world. It reflects the mindset of people at that time who were striving for a fit and attractive physique.
Furthermore, the song's lyrics also reflect the societal views of beauty, where women desire men who possess muscles and a strong body. The song is a perfect example of how the media has influenced people's perception of beauty and physical attraction.
Additionally, the lyrics of the song also reflect the sexual desires and fantasies of the singer. The line "Muscle man, I want to love you in person, I want your body" clearly portrays her physical longing for the person with muscles.
Line by Line Meaning
She said she wants a man
To always understand
But that's alright for her
Still it ain't enough for me
She desires a man who will be sympathetic to her all the time, but that's okay for her. However, it is not adequate for me.
She said she wants a guy
To keep her satisfied
But that's alright for her
But it ain't enough for me
She wants a man who will satisfy her needs and make her happy, but that's acceptable for her. Nevertheless, it is insufficient for me.
Still, I don't care if he's young or old
(Just make him beautiful)
I just want someone I can hold on to
I want muscles
Regardless, I don't care about his age as long as he is attractive. I just want a partner whom I can embrace tightly. I want someone muscular.
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
I want muscles
All, all over his body
(Make him strong enough from his head down to his toes)
I want him to be muscular all over, from his head to his toes. He should be strong and fit all over his body.
They say they have to see
His real personality
But that's alright for them
Still it ain't enough for me
Some may argue that they need to see the man's authentic character, but that's only essential for them. It still doesn't cut it for me.
I need what the eyes can see, ah
(His anatomy)
If that's alright for them
Still it ain't enough for me
I want someone whose physical appearance I can admire. That matters to me more than anything else, and if others are okay with that, it isn't enough for me.
Muscle man, I want to love you
In person, I want your body
Come with me, hiding the cascades
Let this be, we've got this thing made
Lost at sea, hide the desert
Stay with me, you won't regret it
Take this love, so deep to swim in
Come to me, and let the love in
These are just phrases that express her strong attraction to her muscular man. She wants him to accompany her and shares her love with him.
I want muscles
All over him, all over him
I want muscles
All, all over his body
I want muscles
I want all I can get
All over him, all over him
I want muscles, muscles, muscles
Repetition of the chorus line - I want a partner with a muscular body all over, and I want as much of it as possible to cover him entirely.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ccleivas2319
Who else is here because they saw the Yellowstone segment?
@lovelyjesseca
Me! Lol😂
@christinawyatt8252
Meeeee lol
@Mondragonale
Me too 😂
@Adrian-jk6yn
Me 😂
@RA-te2ku
lol
@quietmadness1768
I came here to see Rainwater’s muscles from Yellowstone. It’s how he got his acting debut.
He didn’t disappoint! 😍
@damealeta3541
LOL Me, too! Crap video but great body on Gil!
@fionaleslie6165
We gotta support Gil!
@franknberry333
He's still a really handsome guy, but in the 80s he was smoking hot