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.
Oh Teacher
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People say it, she go far
I exceeded what as needed
Don't you want to know what I came here for
Turn the lights way down
I will find you somewhere in the dark
I'm lying with you, you're lying with me
By doing it right
I'm working on my design
I'm making love with a friend of mine
I want to do it, I'll get you through it
There's nothing to it
You won't be leaving me without a star
Oh teacher, you get the test of my love
No matter what you learn
Oh teacher you got the best time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Oh teacher, you made me study all night
After the end of term
Oh teacher,you've got the first time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Walk, think, act
As the book to you defines
Reach out for the one you love
It may be someone you left behind
You're the reason that I breathe
You're the savior of my nights
Did I leave you without a lover
But I'll never let you out of sight
You're gonna be mine
I've got a wider range
We keep the system but the rules may change
My lips are wetter, I do it better
And if you let me I will help you grow
Baby, don't say no
Oh teacher, you get the test of my love
No matter what you learn
Oh teacher, you've got the best time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Oh teacher, you made me study all night
After the end of term
Oh teacher, you've got the first time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Talk, move, smile
Do it right
We know the way
Watch out for the danger lies
In any game that you want to play
In any game
Oh teacher, you get the test of my love
No matter what you learn
Oh teacher, you've got the best time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Oh teacher, you made me study all night
After the end of term
Oh teacher, you've got the first time, the last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
Diana Ross's song "Oh Teacher" is a seductive and empowering tune. The lyrics are addressing the object of her desire and the one who she seeks knowledge from, the "teacher." Throughout the song, she seems to be showing off for him, boasting about her accomplishments and promising to teach him a thing or two. However, the underlying message is one of equality and mutual respect. Ross is demanding that her teacher see her as an equal, not just a student, and recognize her innate talent and power.
The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, with Ross singing, "Oh teacher, you get the test of my love. No matter what you learn. Oh teacher, you've got the best time, the last time. But this time you're gonna get burned." The lyrics play on the idea of a teacher/student relationship, but twist it into a more adult and sexual context. She is saying that she is the one in charge and that the teacher had better be ready to keep up with her.
Overall, "Oh Teacher" is a catchy and confident song that speaks to the power of self-assurance and the importance of being seen as an equal. It embodies the spirit of the 1980s, with its pulsing beat and seductive lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Every season of my life
Throughout my entire life
People say it, she go far
People have said that I am going places
I exceeded what as needed
I have gone beyond what was required of me
Don't you want to know what I came here for
Don't you want to know why I am here
Turn the lights way down
Dim the lights
I will find you somewhere in the dark
I will find you even in the darkness
I'm lying with you, you're lying with me
We are both lying down together
I want to to show you what I know so far
I want to teach you what I have learned
By doing it right
By doing it correctly
I'm working on my design
I am working on my plan
I'm making love with a friend of mine
I am having sex with a friend of mine
I want to do it, I'll get you through it
I want to help you and guide you through it
There's nothing to it
It's easy
You won't be leaving me without a star
You won't leave me empty-handed
Oh teacher, you get the test of my love
Oh teacher, you will experience my love
No matter what you learn
Regardless of what you learn
Oh teacher you got the best time, the last time
Oh teacher, you had the best experience last time
But this time you're gonna get burned
But this time, you will suffer the consequences
Oh teacher, you made me study all night
Oh teacher, you made me study all night long
After the end of term
After the term ended
Oh teacher,you've got the first time, the last time
Oh teacher, you had the first and last experience
Walk, think, act
Walk, think, and then act
As the book to you defines
As the book describes
Reach out for the one you love
Go after the one you love
It may be someone you left behind
It may be someone you abandoned
You're the reason that I breathe
You are the reason I am alive
You're the savior of my nights
You save me during my dark times
Did I leave you without a lover
Did I leave you without someone to love
But I'll never let you out of sight
But I will always keep you within reach
You're gonna be mine
You will belong to me
I've got a wider range
I have a broader scope
We keep the system but the rules may change
We have our system but the rules may differ
My lips are wetter, I do it better
I am more skilled and experienced in this
And if you let me I will help you grow
And if you allow me, I will aid in your development
Baby, don't say no
Darling, don't refuse
Talk, move, smile
Speak, move, and smile
Do it right
Do it properly
We know the way
We already know the path
Watch out for the danger lies
Be careful of the false information
In any game that you want to play
In any activity you want to undertake
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind