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.
Baby I Need Your Loving
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, 'nother night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I'd rather be
If it means having you to keep,
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Lonely nights echo your name
Oh, sometimes I wonder
Will I ever be the same?
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
You know things have gotten worse
Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed
Darling, I can't go on without you
This emptiness won't let me live without you
This loneliness inside, darling
Makes me feel half alive
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
The lyrics to Diana Ross and the Supremes's song Baby I Need Your Lovin' is a heartfelt plea for love and affection. The singer expresses their intense longing for their lover's presence, admitting that even though they are not physically present, they still hear their voice. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby I need your lovin'," emphasizing their desperation and desire for their partner's affection. The second verse delves deeper into the singer's emotions, revealing that they are willing to be weak if it means keeping their lover by their side. The lyrics also touch upon the pain and emptiness felt from being apart and how it affects the soul.
The song's lyrics convey a relatable message of love, loss, and yearning that many can relate to. The combination of soulful vocals, emotive lyrics, and catchy melody make it a classic that continues to be cherished and covered by many artists today. The repeated use of the phrase "Baby, I need your lovin'" has become an iconic line recognized and celebrated by people all around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I need your lovin'
I cannot live without your love and I am deeply in need of it.
Although you're never near
Even though you're not physically with me, I feel your presence and longing for you.
Your voice I often hear
Your voice resonates in my head, and I miss you even more.
Another day, 'nother night
Time seems to be dragging on without you by my side, and it's like a never-ending cycle of days and nights.
I long to hold you tight
I desire to hold you close and feel your warmth against me.
'Cause I'm so lonely
My life feels empty and incomplete without your love, and I yearn for you to fill that void.
Got to have all your lovin'
I need your love to keep me going and to feel complete as a person.
Some say it's a sign of weakness
Some people view expressing vulnerability as a negative quality in a man.
For a man to beg
To ask for something that one needs is perceived as a disgraceful act for a man.
Then weak I'd rather be
I would rather be seen as weak and beg for your love than to live without it.
If it means having you to keep
If begging for your love is what it takes to have you in my life, I am ready to do so.
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
I haven't been able to sleep because of how much I miss you and need your love.
Lonely nights echo your name
My nights are filled with loneliness and my thoughts constantly echo with the sound of your name.
Oh, sometimes I wonder
I often question if I will ever be able to move on from this pain and be happy again.
Will I ever be the same?
I wonder if I will ever be able to live my life without you and be the same person I once was.
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
Whenever you see me smiling, it's just a facade to hide my inner pain and show that I am doing okay.
You know things have gotten worse
Despite putting on a brave face, you know that things have only gotten worse and I am struggling without you.
Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed
I put on a happy face, but it's not genuine, and all my smiles are just a rehearsed act.
Darling, I can't go on without you
I need you in my life to continue living and without your love, it's impossible for me to move on.
This emptiness won't let me live without you
The emptiness inside me is consuming me, and I can't imagine living without you.
This loneliness inside, darling
The feelings of loneliness are eating away at me, and I need you to fill that void.
Makes me feel half alive
Without your love, I feel incomplete and like only half of me is there, the other half is missing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind