The Supremes were a hugely successful Motown all-female singing group active from 1959 until 1977, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway showtunes, psychedelia and disco. Second only to The Beatles in terms of records sales and chart success, The Supremes were the most successful American musical act of the 1960s, delivering twelve #1 hits between 1964 and 1969, many of them written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1959, The Supremes began as a quartet called The Primettes. Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglas public housing project in Detroit, were the sister act to The Primes (later The Temptations). In 1960, Barbara Martin replaced McGlown, and the group signed with Motown in 1961 as The Supremes.
Martin left at the end of 1961, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson carried on as a trio. After they achieved success in 1964 with Ross as the lead singer, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1967. Ballard left the group that same year because of personal differences and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong.
Diana Ross left the group for a history-making solo career in 1970 and was replaced by Jean Terrell. After 1972, the lineup of The Supremes changed frequently, with Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene all becoming members before the group ended its eighteen-year existence in 1977.
Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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Playing with my heart
Just like it was a toy
And I've been playing along
And letting you treat me wrong
Because it seems to give you joy
Are you sure love is the name of this game
For days on end you just stay away
Waitin' for my heart to weaken
It's like we're playing hide and seek
And I'm the one who's always seeking
Are you sure love is the name of this game
I want to know
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
Well if everything's right
And uptight
How come the heartaches keep repeating
With every beat my heart is beating
Now can it be that you've been cheating
Cheating on me
Now how come you keep on
Telling me lies
Filling my life with sorrow
Don't know what to expect
From your affection
It's here today and gone tomorrow
Are you sure love, love, love is the name of this game
I want to know
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
In "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game," Diana Ross and the Supremes sing about being caught in a game of love that is not so loving. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer feels that her heart is being played with like a toy, while the person she is in love with seems to get pleasure from treating her poorly. She questions whether this behavior is really what love is supposed to be like, asking, "Are you sure love is the name of this game?"
The singer is left feeling confused and hurt by the mixed signals she is receiving from her lover. It seems like they are always playing a game of "hide and seek," with the singer always seeking and her lover always hiding. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the question of whether this behavior is truly love or not. The singer wants to know if "L-O-V-E love is the name of this game," or if it's something else entirely.
Overall, the lyrics of "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game" describe a relationship that is not built on love, but on confusion and pain. The singer wants to know if this is really what love is supposed to be, or if there is something more.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll admit that you've been
I acknowledge that you have been
Playing with my heart
Dealing with my emotions carelessly
Just like it was a toy
Treating my heart as if it has no value
And I've been playing along
I've been complicit in your actions
And letting you treat me wrong
Allowing you to mistreat me
Because it seems to give you joy
Because it brings you pleasure to cause me pain
Are you sure love is the name of this game
Questioning if this relationship is built on love
Are you sure love is the name of this game
Repeating the previous question
For days on end you just stay away
You frequently stay away from me for several days
Waitin' for my heart to weaken
Anticipating my emotions to become more vulnerable
It's like we're playing hide and seek
Our relationship is a game of seeking and avoiding
And I'm the one who's always seeking
I'm always the one searching for you
Are you sure love is the name of this game
Questioning if this is really love
I want to know
Expressing the need for answers
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
Questioning the authenticity of love in our relationship
Well if everything's right
If everything is as it should be
And uptight
And things are tense between us
How come the heartaches keep repeating
Why do we keep experiencing emotional pain?
With every beat my heart is beating
I am continually feeling emotional pain
Now can it be that you've been cheating
Could it be that you've been unfaithful?
Cheating on me
Being unfaithful in our relationship
Now how come you keep on
Why do you continue to
Telling me lies
Deceiving me
Filling my life with sorrow
Bringing sadness into my life
Don't know what to expect
I am uncertain about what to anticipate
From your affection
Regarding your love and devotion
It's here today and gone tomorrow
Your love seems to be temporary and inconsistent
Are you sure love, love, love is the name of this game
Repeating the initial question with emphasis on love
I want to know
Expressing the need for answers
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
Repeating the previous question to emphasize the doubts about our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind