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.
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
bizhope007
I AM SO HAPPY AND GRATEFUL TO WAKE UP TO THIS SONG TODAY! 🥰 BLESSINGS TO ALL! 🥰
Pete Browne
I like diversity of Diana Ross and how she can sing even the church-type soulful pop songs, by just sticking to the music precisely, but still making it her own. She's one R&B artist that doesn't have to over sing to make their point.
Shell
U just mean she has a soft voice lol
Laurie Gray
I love this song. My Mom and I would sing this song to each other. She is gone now. Thank you Diana Ross for the memories.
Vikki Smith
This song is very meaningful and it will be forever ❤️
Lady Segula
Timeless song for every day!
Love Peace all over the world,✌🏽
INTUITION ENHANCEMENT
I've loved this song since my childhood in the early 70s. Hearing it again, made me cry. I've always loved the message, but the post upload is from 3 days after my Mom's passing on November 8th, 2020. She loved this song so much. Thank you 💜
ann powell
Due to the way l have seen the way we treat others without any compassion. This song came to mind ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕
Aneshia Dixon
I cry every time I hear this song. It's my spirit song
cultspaghetti Trashmovie
Wonderful song in a corrupt world ........