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.
What Can One Person Do
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More than a little bit
More than a little bit
Can I fight the battle
All by myself
Can I make a miracle happen
As long as I can think
I'll never stop
I'm too strong for that
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
Everyone's gotta move
What they can move
The faithful can sometimes move mountains
When your faith is right
You will never lose your heart, your hope
Or your good friends
Don't be overcome by frustrations
Live up to your highest expectations
I'm tellin you just for your information
Just for, just for your information
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
Looked into my soul and suspected
That I'm gonna take, gonna take on the unexpected
Walked into the fire unprotected
Walk into the fire
What can one person do
What can one person be
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
What can one person do
When it's one like you
When it's one like me
The lyrics to Diana Ross's song What Can One Person Do convey a message of determination, faith, and hope in the face of adversity. The song speaks to the idea that one person has the power to make a difference and achieve great things, even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The repeated lines of "What can one person do, when it's one like you, when it's one like me" emphasize the idea that everyone has a role to play in making the world a better place.
The lyrics also touch on the importance of faith and perseverance in achieving one's goals. The line "The faithful can sometimes move mountains, When your faith is right, You will never lose your heart, your hope, Or your good friends" suggests that having faith and maintaining positive relationships can help one overcome even the toughest challenges.
Overall, the lyrics to What Can One Person Do encourage listeners to believe in themselves and their ability to effect change, and to stay positive and hopeful even when facing difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
What can one person do
Inquiry about the potential of one individual to make a difference in the world.
More than a little bit
Acknowledgment that even small actions can have significant impact.
Can I fight the battle
Wondering if one can overcome substantial obstacles alone.
All by myself
Questioning the ability to handle challenges without help from others.
Can I make a miracle happen
Asking whether one individual can achieve seemingly impossible goals.
As long as I can think
Asserting that mental acuity is necessary for success.
And got my health
Recognizing that physical well-being is essential for achieving one's goals.
I'll never stop
Commitment to persistence and perseverance.
I'm too strong for that
Belief in one's own abilities to overcome adversity.
Everyone's gotta move
Encouragement to take action.
What they can move
Each person has different strengths and abilities to contribute.
The faithful can sometimes move mountains
Faith and determination can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
When your faith is right
Having the correct mindset is crucial for success.
You will never lose your heart, your hope
Belief that with the right attitude, one will always have motivation and positivity.
Or your good friends
Insight that friends can provide crucial support and encouragement.
Don't be overcome by frustrations
Advice to stay resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Live up to your highest expectations
Encouragement to aim high and strive for excellence.
I'm tellin you just for your information
Emphasis that the message being conveyed is important and valuable.
Looked into my soul and suspected
Deep reflection on personal capabilities and potential.
That I'm gonna take, gonna take on the unexpected
Determination to tackle challenges head-on, even unforeseen ones.
Walked into the fire unprotected
Willingness to face danger, obstacles, and uncertainty without hesitation.
What can one person be
Contemplation of the potential for personal growth and development.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RODGERS, SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind