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.
Paradise
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
& flowers grow forevermore
Where time is standing still & lovers fill
The quiet places by the shore
We'll cross the rainbow
To a place where we'll be free
Where he give his love to me
So I'll wait for the day when he takes me away to
(Paradise)
He'll take me by the hand to
(Paradise)
We'll walk along the sand in
(Paradise)
A never never land
(Paradise)
Wo, wo, wo
We'll build a castle there so we can share
The happiness we've waited for
While white flamingos fly way up high
Way above the ocean's roar
Wo, wo, yea-yeah
We'll climb the mountain
To see our wonderland
Maybe now you'll understand
Why I wait for the day when he takes me away to
(Paradise)
He'll take me by the hand to
(Paradise)
We'll walk along the sand in
(Paradise)
A never never land
(Paradise)
Wo, wo, wo
I'll stand by him
Do right by him
And I swear, I swear I'll die for him
Die for him, die for him
Yeah, hey
(Paradise)
He'll take me by the hand to
(Paradise)
One day I know we'll stand in
The lyrics of Diana Ross's "Paradise" speak of the human desire for freedom and self-discovery. The song is addressed to a girl who has run away from home and is searching for her own "Shangri-la" – her own personal paradise. The idea of paradise, in this context, represents a place of total freedom and liberation where someone can discover their true selves and find happiness.
The song touches on the idea of feeling trapped or stuck in one's current situation. The girl in the song is described as being a "prisoner inside a gilded cage," suggesting that although she may have material comforts, she is still not truly happy. She is searching for something more, something that will bring her true happiness and fulfillment.
Despite the girl's situation, the singer has faith in her and believes that she will eventually find her paradise. The repeated refrain, "Paradise is what you're looking for," serves as both a reminder of what the girl is searching for and a gentle encouragement to keep searching until she finds it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Paradise" speak to the human desire for fulfillment and a sense of purpose. The song suggests that everyone has their own personal paradise to discover and that it is within their reach if they continue to search for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Paradise is what you're looking for
You are searching for a place where you can be free and truly be yourself, a paradise.
Are you looking for some place you can be free
Are you searching for a place where you can be liberated and not constrained by societal norms?
Are you looking, looking for someone you want to be
Are you searching for a version of yourself that you truly want to be?
You ran away from home girl - searching for your Shangri-la
You left your home in search of your utopia or your ideal place in the world.
Wherever you may roam girl in my mind you won't be far
No matter where you go, I will always keep you close in my thoughts.
You're a prisoner inside a gilded cage
You feel trapped in a life of luxury and comfort, but still unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
You keep praying sayin' there must be a better way
You keep hoping and longing for a better life or a better situation.
You've got the best intentions of this I don't have any doubts
You have the purest of intentions, and I am certain of your sincerity.
I can't help but to mention don't you know what life's about
I cannot help but remind you that life is about finding true joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PERRY L BOTKIN, GIL GARFIELD, HARRY NILSSON, PHIL SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnkennedy1315
Never gets old...
@yutianchen5295
This Song is just "SUPREME"
@tanyakelly1260
Miss Diana Ross always looks fabulous love everything she sings and a great video
@darrylshaunavery8854
Ms Ross You are Endless Paradise.
@MrPeclo
Marvellous Diana Ross.
@dancelover020
The shep Pettibone mix was a killer!! Got loads of play in the clubs went to back then!!! Should have been a huge hit everywhere!!
@anthonyandrews4499
YES BACK IN MY CLUB DAYS.
@daniyyel1317
House Diana '89 yasss! xx
@hiramyawicks1287
Love this song and Diana Ross!
@briandutille9649
Me too!!