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.
Composer
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make words rhyme
Carry a tune or a clap on time now
You may have no knowledge of musical things
But deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That my heart sings
Quarter notes are
Or what I mean by Four to the Bar now
Such musical terms may be Greek to your ears
But deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That my heart hears
Now it's a tender song
It's like a rhapsody, a symphony
This song I find in this heart of mine
And it's begging you
Let nothing keep us apart
Oh, my darling
Cause you put a song in my heart
Now this song that I find in my heart for you
Every lyric and line
I swear it's true
The number one song on my personal chart
Deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That's in my heart
Deep down inside of me
You have created a symphony
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
The Composer by Diana Ross & The Supremes is a love letter to a person who may not have any knowledge of music but has managed to make a song resonate deeply inside the singer's heart. Despite not knowing "quarter notes" or what "four to the bar" means, they have managed to create a melody that the singer's heart yearns for. The lyrics suggest that this melody is like a symphony or a rhapsody, a masterpiece created by the composer that resides inside the singer's heart.
The song talks about the power of love and the power of music to bring two people together. The lyrics also suggest that the composer may not even know that they have created a melody, but it is now a part of the singer's being, and they cannot imagine living without it. The song is a testament to the universality of music and its ability to touch people's hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
You may not know how
You may not possess the knowledge or ability to
To make words rhyme
Create rhyming lyrics
Carry a tune or a clap on time now
Sing in pitch or maintain a steady rhythm
You may have no knowledge of musical things
Have little understanding of music-related concepts
But deep down inside of me
Despite the aforementioned limitations,
You have created a melody
You have inspired me and brought forth inspiration
You're the composer of the song
You are responsible for creating
That my heart sings
The music that resonates within me
You may not what
You may not understand
Quarter notes are
The brief musical notation representing a specific beat length
Or what I mean by Four to the Bar now
The signature rhythm of a classic rock or jazz piece
Such musical terms may be Greek to your ears
Such terminology may be unfamiliar to you
Now it's a tender song
The piece is soft and gentle
It's like a rhapsody, a symphony
It feels like a complex, classical music piece
This song I find in this heart of mine
This music that I feel internally
And it's begging you
It pleads with you
Let nothing keep us apart
Don't let anything come between us
Oh, my darling
A term of endearment
Cause you put a song in my heart
You have given me inspiration and happiness
Now this song that I find in my heart for you
The music that I feel for you internally
Every lyric and line
Every word
I swear it's true
I promise its authenticity
The number one song on my personal chart
The foremost song in my heart
You have created a symphony
You have inspired the creation of a grand musical composition
You put a song in my heart
You have sparked my creativity and love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deby5983
Love the way the pianist sweeps across the keys, and as with every song with violins, I love, love, love their sound in this piece.
@leshawnspruiell8196
This song has been on my mind for the past few days! So I said let me go to YouTube to play it!😍😊When I was a girl I used to play this and sing it! It brings back so many happy memories! ❤
@blackerthanblue
I have this album and I know this song is worn out....So glad to find this here.
@philipbonner6486
First time i've heard this classic song, wonderful.
@rooseveltmccarter7591
The Composer. From the Lp "Let The Sunshine In."
@glannapolisteam8681
This is a very pleasant song. Very nicely sung.
@oceanbound222
I honestly like this song. Diana sings it very well. I remember hearing it on the radio all the time.
@deby5983
It's always about the music to me. Just learned of "Diana's" diva-ness, etc., not long ago. Doesn't take away from the glorious music the Supremes made no matter who was singing background or composing words or the instrumentals. Gotta love music for how it makes you feel and let everything else go. I love this song.
@jackanthony976
I'm not as superficial as all that. One of the joys of listening to music is to know who is singing lead and background. I always learn the name of all the group members when I like a group and learn what they look like. When I like a song I want to know who is singing and possibly who is in the band..that is part of the joy. There is no need for a record company to lie as to who is on a record. This song might have done better if they had used the "real" Supremes instead of those awful Andantes.
@kelvinblankenship1218
Classic written by Smokey Robinson