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.
Old Funky Rolls
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that was many, many years ago
Abandoned in a pile of useless junk
I found her never to be lost again
While I'm around her
I could ride forever in my old funky rolls
Just give me a bad hat and some old funky clothes
We don't care if folks are laughing
Can't you feel that surge of power
Going 18 miles an hour
I could ride forever in my old funky rolls
She ain't even paid for but she's mine I suppose
Once they tried to repossess her
But she wouldn't start
God bless her
Spunky hunk a junk my funky rolls
For 30 years she got by on her looks
That was chic, that was very chic
Her face appeared in all the motor books
Once a week each and every week
When they checked her gasket out
The old girl blew it
Funky was a lemon
She never knew it
But I could ride forever in my old funky, my old funky rolls
She's got Plymouth headlights and
A tank full of holes
Once I thought I really lost her on Cid Boulevard
Funky found the love she needed
Metaphor, overheated
I could ride forever in my old funky, my old funky rolls
Just give me a bad hat and some old, old funky clothes
There goes the radiator
Break me up, I'll see you later
Spunky hunk a junk my funky
My funky rolls
Rickitick and teak my honey
Wackitack, hack, she's a honey
Funky hunk a junk
My funky rolls
Come on funky, will you please start?
Funky, I'll kick your ass
Funky, would you please start?
Funky, here comes the man from the finance company
That's a nice car
Nice, Funky
I'll see you later!
My funky, my funky rolls
The lyrics to Diana Ross's song Old Funky Rolls tell the story of a man's attachment to his beloved antique car, which has seen better days, but he still treasures it dearly. The song speaks to the idea that sentimental value and emotional attachment can override any economic or practical considerations. In the opening verse, the car's history is recounted - it was once a showstopper in 1925, but now sits abandoned among heaps of rusty junk. Nevertheless, it is here that our protagonist finds and rescues it, presumably to bring it back to life. He goes on to express his undying love for the car, insisting that he could "ride forever" in it, wearing "bad hats and funky clothes" without a care in the world. The fact that the car has never been paid for only further reinforces the idea that it is entirely priceless to him.
The verses also contain some lighthearted moments, as the singer recalls the car's many quirks and imperfections, such as the fact that it's a "lemon" and that the old girl "blew it". Yet despite these issues, he still loves it unconditionally. In one memorable line, he describes the experience of driving the car as a "surge of power" even when they're only going 18 miles an hour. The chorus of the song repeats the same sentiment of how he could ride forever in his old funky rolls, almost like a mantra of his fondness for the car.
Overall, Old Funky Rolls is a fun and upbeat tune that captures the essence of what it means to truly appreciate something regardless of its flaws. It's a celebration of sentimentality and nostalgia, and as such, it resonates with many people's relationships with their own beloved possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
In 1925 she stole the show
Referring to the year this car model debuted and how it was an instant hit
But that was many, many years ago
Acknowledging that it's been a long time since that initial fame
Abandoned in a pile of useless junk
The car was once forgotten and treated as disposable
I found her never to be lost again
The artist gives this car a new chance at life
While I'm around her
The artist feels a sense of duty and responsibility to maintain and care for this car
I could ride forever in my old funky rolls
Expressing the singer's love and admiration for this car, and the desire to keep it running forever
Just give me a bad hat and some old funky clothes
Describing the singer's carefree attitude and sense of style while cruising in this car
We don't care if folks are laughing
The artist is confident and unconcerned with the opinions of others while driving this car
When we're on the road
Emphasizing the joy and freedom of cruising in this car
Can't you feel that surge of power
Describing the feeling of driving this car, despite its age and quirks
Going 18 miles an hour
Acknowledging the slow speed of the car, but still finding it enjoyable
She ain't even paid for but she's mine I suppose
The artist likely obtained this car in a unconventional way or had to overcome some obstacles to acquire it
Once they tried to repossess her
The car was at risk of being taken away by a finance company
But she wouldn't start
The car's quirks and issues were at times frustrating, but ultimately endearing to the singer
Spunky hunk a junk my funky rolls
Describing the car with affectionate, informal language
For 30 years she got by on her looks
This car stayed on the road for 30 years, likely maintaining its popularity mainly due to its distinctive appearance
That was chic, that was very chic
Commenting on the car's unique and fashionable design
Her face appeared in all the motor books
The car was frequently showcased in automobile magazines or advertisements
Once a week each and every week
Indicating a regular schedule of maintenance or check-ups for the car
When they checked her gasket out
Referring to a specific part of the car that was prone to issues
The old girl blew it
The car had a tendency to break down or have issues despite regular upkeep
She never knew it
The car was not sentient, but personifying it to express the artist's attachment
She's got Plymouth headlights and
Specifying certain design features of the car
A tank full of holes
Acknowledging that the car is not without flaws or damage
Once I thought I really lost her on Cid Boulevard
Recounting a time when the singer feared that the car was lost or unrepairable
Funky found the love she needed
The singer ultimately managed to fix the car and bring it back to life
Metaphor, overheated
Introducing a metaphor, likening the car to a person who has become overwhelmed or exhausted
Just give me a bad hat and some old, old funky clothes
Repeating a line from earlier, emphasizing the artist's nonchalant attitude and sense of fashion while driving this car
There goes the radiator
The car is again experiencing mechanical issues, but the artist remains undaunted
Break me up, I'll see you later
Suggesting that the car may not be entirely reliable, but that won't stop the singer from enjoying it
Rickitick and teak my honey
Repeating affectionate, informal language to describe the car
Wackitack, hack, she's a honey
Expressing admiration for the car's charm despite its quirks
Funky, I'll kick your ass
Speaking to the car as though it were a person and playfully scolding it
Funky, here comes the man from the finance company
Revisiting the earlier threat of repossession and highlighting the artist's ongoing concern for the car's safety
That's a nice car
A passerby admires the car, as it has drawn many eyes over the years
Nice, Funky
Repeating the previous statement, but with a sense of familiarity and affection
I'll see you later!
Ending the song on a lighthearted note, as the singer departs from the car but knowing they'll be reunited soon
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONALD MILLER, TERRY M ETLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind