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.
Sparkle
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made me want to walk a thousand miles
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
Everything must breath, now you say you must leave
You put the sparkle back in my smile, ooh baby
You made me wanna walk a thousand miles
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
You seemed so content it's a joke
You thought it up the spur of the moment
Please ease my mind come on set it right
'Cause if you don't
I won't sleep a wink tonight
You put the sparkle back in my smile, ooh baby
You made me wanna walk a thousand miles
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
Everything must breath, now you say you must leave
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
Everything must breath, everything must live
Everything must breath, now you say you wanna leave
The lyrics in Diana Ross's song "Sparkle" express the impact of someone special in the singer's life. The first line, "You put the sparkle back in my smile," showcases the influence of this individual in bringing happiness and joy to the singer's life. The following lines, "You made me want to walk a thousand miles / You let me know that it's so and everything must live / Everything must breathe," reveal that this person has also given the singer a newfound sense of purpose and motivation to live fully. However, the mood of the song shifts with the line, "now you say you must leave," foreshadowing that this person's departure will also take away the happiness and joy they have brought.
The second verse further adds to the uncertainty and confusion that the singer is facing. The line "You seemed so content it's a joke / You thought it up the spur of the moment" suggests that the singer's significant other has suddenly decided to leave, despite appearing content before. The singer pleads for an explanation to ease their mind and prevent themselves from losing sleep, conveying their desperation and emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
You put the sparkle back in my smile
You have reignited my joy and made me smile again.
You made me want to walk a thousand miles
You have given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
You have taught me the importance of life and the need for all things to thrive.
Everything must breath, now you say you must leave
You are telling me that you must go, despite the importance of life.
You seemed so content it's a joke
Your decision to leave seems contradictory to your previous happiness.
You thought it up the spur of the moment
Your decision to leave appears to be impulsive and not thought through.
Please ease my mind come on set it right
Please help me understand and make sense of your decision to leave.
'Cause if you don't
If you don't explain, I will be unable to find peace.
I won't sleep a wink tonight
I will be unable to rest or find peace until I understand your decision to leave.
You let me know that it's so and everything must live
You are emphasizing the importance of life and the need for all things to thrive.
Everything must breath, everything must live
All living things must have the opportunity to thrive and grow.
Everything must breath, now you say you wanna leave
Despite the importance of life, you are still choosing to leave.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind