While the song's sales didn't meet up to expectations, peaking at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the R&B chart with 500,000 copies sold, "Reach Out and Touch" became one of Ross' most popular and notable songs. During her concert performances of the song, Ross often had the whole crowd literally turn to their neighbors, and "reach out and touch" their hands.
On Saturday, July 28th 1984 Vicki McClure sang Reach Out and Touch before an estimated TV audience of 2.5 billion people during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, CA. Ashford and Simpson would perform the song with Teddy Pendergrass in the Philadelphia portion of Live Aid in 1985. In 2005, Ross would perform the song in closing, Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope.
In 1970, the same year that Diana released "Reach Out and Touch" as her first solo single, ironically the song was also covered by the group that she had just left at the start of that year, The Supremes (now fronted by Jean Terrell, along with other members Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong). The Supremes' version was a duet with fellow Motown Records artists The Four Tops on the two group's joint album "The Magnificent Seven," released by Motown toward the end of 1970. In one of her autobiographies, Mary Wilson mentioned that some fans at the post-Ross Supremes' concerts used to call out requesting that The Supremes would sing this record live, as some fans erroneously recalled that it had been The Supremes' version, and not Ross's, that had charted as a hit Billboard single in early '70.
She also performed that song as the finale for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert held in Oslo, Norway, in 2008.
Reach Out And Touch
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
Take a little time out your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
(Oh no)
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness and you'll see
It's something that comes
Very naturally
(Oh yeah)
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
(Why don't you)
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Reach out and touch (reach out)
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand (touch somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can (why don't you)
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand (somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can
In Diana Ross's song "Reach Out and Touch," the singer encourages listeners to connect with others in a positive and compassionate way in order to make the world a better place. The opening lines of the song urge listeners to reach out and touch somebody's hand, emphasizing the importance of physical connection in forming relationships and fostering community. Ross goes on to suggest that small acts of kindness and empathy, such as taking time out of a busy day to listen to someone in need or offering a bit of encouragement to a friend who is struggling, can have a profound and lasting impact on the world around us.
The lyrics of "Reach Out and Touch" are particularly resonant in today's world, where social distance and isolation have become increasingly prevalent. The song reminds us of the power that human connection and empathy can have in both brightening our own lives and those of others. By urging us to look outward and to focus our attention on the well-being of others, Ross offers a hopeful and inspiring message that emphasizes the importance of generosity, compassion, and human connection.
Overall, "Reach Out and Touch" is a powerful reminder of our capacity to create positive change in the world simply by reaching out to others and offering a hand of help or support. The song's uplifting message and catchy melody have kept it popular and relevant more than fifty years after its initial release, and its words continue to inspire acts of kindness and compassion around the world today.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach out and touch
Make an effort to make human connections
Somebody's hand
An individual person in need of support
Make this world a better place
Improve the state of the world we live in
If you can
If you have the ability to do so
(Just try)
Make an attempt, even if it's small
Take a little time out your busy day
Find time in your busy schedule
To give encouragement
Providing support and motivation to someone
To someone who's lost the way
For someone who is in need
(Just try)
Make an attempt, even if it's small
Or would I be talking to a stone
Questioning whether someone is receptive to helping others
If I asked you
A hypothetical request
To share a problem that's not your own
Asking for someone's help with a problem that is not their own
(Oh no)
Expressing hesitation, disbelief or exasperation
We can change things if we start giving
Making a difference by starting to give to others
If you see an old friend on the street
A situation in which a person might encounter someone they know
And he's down
If they are going through a difficult time
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
Empathizing with someone by recognizing that their struggle could happen to anyone
(Just try)
Make an attempt, even if it's small
Try a little kindness and you'll see
Showing kindness can have a positive impact
It's something that comes.
Kindness is inherent in people, and can be shown easily
(Oh yeah)
Expressing agreement or enthusiasm
Why don't you
Encouraging the listener to take action
Reach out and touch
Make an effort to connect with someone
Somebody's hand
Another person who needs support
Make this world a better place
Improving the state of the world in which we live
If you can
If you are able to do so
(reach out)
Making an effort to establish a connection
(why don't you)
Encouraging the listener to take action
(somebody's hand)
Another person who needs support
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind