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.
Please Mr. Postman
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
Wai ai ai ait Mr. Postman
Mr postman look and see (oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please please Mr poooostman)
Must have been a very long time (woh yeah)
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mr Postman look and see
If there's a letter
a letter for me
I've been standing here waiting Mr Postman
Soooo so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Say he needs ten times better
Please Mr Postman look and see (oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
Please please Mr poooostman
Must have been a very long time (woh yeah)
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine
So many days you past me by
You saw the tears standing in my eye
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
Buy leaving me a card or a letter
Please Mr Postman look and see
If there's a letter (oh yeah) in your bag for me
You know it's been so long
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine
You better waite a minute
Wait a minute
Oh, you better wait a minute
Please please Mr Postman
Please check and see just one more time for me
You better wait (wait)
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Please Mr Poostman
Deliver the letter the sooner the better
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Waite a minute please Mr Postman
The song Please Mr. Postman by Diana Ross and The Supremes is a classic Motown song about a woman who anxiously awaits a letter from her long-distance boyfriend. The lyrics express her frustration and impatience while she awaits the letter, as it has been a long time since she last heard from him. The repetition of the phrase "wait a minute" emphasizes her eagerness to receive the letter, and the plea to the postman to "deliver the letter the sooner the better" only adds to the sense of urgency.
The song has a catchy beat and cheerful tune that somewhat contradicts the tone of the lyrics. The Supremes' smooth harmonies and Diana Ross's soulful voice add to the appeal of the song. The use of the word "Mr. Postman" also adds a playful note to the lyrics, and the song has become a popular classic that continues to be enjoyed today.
In essence, the song is about the anxiety and longing that can come from long-distance relationships, as well as the anticipation that can quickly turn into disappointment when that anticipated letter fails to arrive on time. The song ultimately speaks to the universal experience of waiting for something or someone, with the hope and dread that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait!
Stop what you're doing!
Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
Hey there, Postal Service employee, hold up!
Wai ai ai ait Mr. Postman
I am urgently asking you to wait.
Mr postman look and see (oh yeah)
Dear Postman, please take a quick look in your delivery bag.
If there's a letter in your bag for me
Is there correspondence in there addressed specifically to me?
(Please please Mr poooostman)
I kindly request that you double-check for me.
Must have been a very long time (woh yeah)
It seems like so much time has passed by.
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine
I haven't received any news or updates from my significant other.
There must be some word today
There absolutely has to be some message, news, or announcement specifically on this day.
From my boyfriend so far away
I'm talking about the gentleman who is currently geographically distant from me.
Please Mr Postman look and see
Can you check again with a bit more effort?
If there's a letter
Is there any form of written communication?
a letter for me
Is whatever is here addressed or referring to me specifically?
I've been standing here waiting Mr Postman
I have been patiently anticipating your arrival.
Soooo so patiently
Incredibly patiently, to the point of almost being frustrated.
For just a card or just a letter
I'm hoping for a single piece of correspondence.
Say he needs ten times better
I want him to write something that is way more heartfelt than what he has written before.
So many days you past me by
I've seen you pass by me so frequently on those many recent days.
You saw the tears standing in my eye
I was shedding tears, and you must have seen them.
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
Despite recognizing my sadness, you didn't decide to take any form of action or make me feel any better/supported.
Buy leaving me a card or a letter
If you had left something behind like a card or introductory message, that would have been enough for me.
You know it's been so long
It's truly been such an extended amount of time.
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine
It really has such an extended amount of time since my boyfriend last communicated with me.
You better waite a minute
One second, I need you to pause for a moment.
Wait a minute
Can you hold on for a moment?
Oh, you better wait a minute
I'm begging you to wait for a bit.
Please please Mr Postman
Mr. Postman, if you don't mind, could you do me one final favor?
Please check and see just one more time for me
I need you to carefully check once more specifically for me.
Wait a minute
I need you to wait again for just a moment.
Waite a minute please Mr Postman
Can you just pause again, Mr. Postman?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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