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.
Breathtaking Guy
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And whispered in my ear
All night sweet words
I never heard
And I believed every word
Next day you came my way
Without a word to say you passed me by
My darling won't you tell me why
You're acting strange toward me
Why have you changed toward me
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul-shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy
That night your love was true
The next day we were through
Your love won't come
And you were moving on
And I was left to cry alone
What have I done to you
Was it just fun to you
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy
Breathtaking, soul shaking,
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
Breathtaking, soul shaking,
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
The lyrics of Diana Ross and the Supremes's song "Breathtaking Guy" tell the story of a woman who fell for a guy who swept her off her feet one night with sweet words and love-making, but the next day, he acted as if nothing had happened and completely ignored her. The woman is confused and hurt, wondering why the man is acting so strange and if he was ever serious about his feelings for her. She questions if he is just a "breathtaking, first sight soul-shaking, one night love-making, next day heartbreaking guy."
The song's lyrics touch on the classic theme of love and heartbreak, but there is also an element of female empowerment. The woman is not simply a victim of the man's whims, but instead, she is questioning his intentions and the authenticity of his feelings. This is a powerful message, especially for the time the song was released in the 1960s when women's rights were still being fought for.
Overall, "Breathtaking Guy" is a beautifully written song that deals with the complexity of romantic relationships, the fleeting nature of love, and the pain of heartbreak. The Supremes do an incredible job bringing the emotions of the song to life with their powerful harmonies and Diana Ross's stunning lead vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
One night you held me tight
You embraced me affectionately for a night
And whispered in my ear
You spoke softly into my ear
All night sweet words
You said kind and romantic things all night long
I never heard
I hadn't heard such words from you before
And I believed every word
I trusted and accepted everything you said
Next day you came my way
The following day, you came near me
Without a word to say you passed me by
Without speaking, you ignored me as you went past
You didn’t give an eye
You didn't bother to look at me
My darling won’t you tell me why
My love, please explain to me why
You’re acting strange toward me
You're displaying unusual behavior towards me
Why have you changed toward me
Why have you altered your attitude towards me
That night your love was true
On that night, your love was genuine
The next day we were through
The following day, we had ended our relationship
Your love won’t come
Your love is no longer present
And you were moving on
And you had found someone else to pursue
And I was left to cry alone
I was left to grieve inconsolably by myself
What have I done to you
What have I done to deserve this treatment from you
Was it just fun to you
Did you see our relationship as just a form of entertainment for yourself
Are you just a breathtaking
Are you simply an incredibly attractive
First sight soul-shaking
A person who immediately captivates my soul
One night love-making
Someone I shared a passionate physical relationship with for a single night
Next day heartbreaking guy
And then broke my heart the next day
Breathtaking, soul shaking,
You captivate me and affect me deeply
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
But your temporary love and abrupt departure leave me heartbroken
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Zelenka
One night you held me tight
And whispered in my ear
All night sweet words
I never heard
And I believed every word
Next day you came my way
Without a word to say you passed me by
You didn't bat an eye
My darling won't you tell me why
You're acting strange toward me
Why have you changed toward me
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul-shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy
That night your love was true
The next day we were through
Your love won't come
And you were moving on
And I was left to cry alone
What have I done to you
Was it just fun to you
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy
Breathtaking, soul shaking,
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
Breathtaking, soul shaking,
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
Kenneth Hamlett
I have heard Diana Ross say on a number of occasions that this is her favorite song by the group. She thinks it is a terrific song, but she also likes it because all three members are featured on the recording. The song was a part of building the group's sound and the appeal that broke through so dramatically with "Where Did Our Love Go." I have always thought that if this song had come at a different place in the order of their songs -- after the first couple or few hits -- it would have been a big hit, too. But, it served a great purpose, and we are lucky enough to have it to enjoy forever. All three Supremes sound wonderful, and Mr. Robinson's song and production are impeccable.
Basil Marasco
Maybe they should have re-released it in 1965, in between two of their #1 hits. I wonder what would have happened. By then, HDH was established as their songwriting team, so it may be that one of Smoky's songs would have been ruled out.
Jobu Cats
@Basil Marasco In my opinion, that HDH sound and production was too risky to intercept another producer/songwriter's song into the formula which appeared to be working.
Basil Marasco
@Jobu Cats That's right. Don't mess with success. I think HDH at one point had four consecutive #1 songs with the Supremes, and their success was so good that when the string was broken with a song that came just short of cracking the Top Ten (#11, I believe), they considered that "a failure."
unsegregated SOULS
This has always been my favorite song by them, too.
Phillycheez
Motown should've re-recorded it as a single after The Supremes rise to fame. This would've solidified this masterpiece. It has become my favorite Supremes song for the harmonies and the showcase of each individual. 🤎🤎🤎
D. Singler-Kron
Without Mary on the alto part this would not have the richness it has.... Flawless.
Basil Marasco
Thank you, Mary Wilson, for being and sounding Supreme. We miss you.
Eros Sinema
She was an average singer at best. Usually she sounded like an off key foghorn
Therone Dawson
Yes,Mary was on point, and so was Florence. They were the original Supremes, and each one of them brought something to the table..
Considering they were breaking ground in the 60s. Three young women color and they were attracted women who could sing.
We were so proud of them back then because you did not see many black entertainers on televisions.
Most of the guys like Florence because she had a nice body. We also like Mary because she was pretty and she had a nice chest.
Diane was okay. She had no shape and no chest. She looked good in her clothes that were tailor-made for her.