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.
Everybody
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your only mourner, is the face that
Appears in the nearest mirror
You've gotta get it going and somehow knowing
You're gonna have it better than you ever had it, because
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody's got the right to love
I'd say I
But if it's you, say you
Cause if you could give in for a minute
Put your soul in it
We could get it together and forever love
So what's the use of running boy
You know there ain't no point in running
You need somebody, somebody to love you
Cause everybody needs somebody
Everybody's got the right to love
You got the right to say I, need somebody
I need you, he needs me
Come together, talk to me, oh yeah
You can have all the things that you desire
But without love you just can't survive
Cause you need love to warm your heart at night
When you're all alone and no comfort's in sight
You need somebody
Everybody needs somebody, oh yeah
Everybody's got the right to love
In this song, Diana Ross and the Supremes deliver a powerful message about the importance of human connection and love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is alone and feeling very isolated. The only comfort this person has is their own reflection in the mirror. Despite feeling hopeless and helpless, the song offers a glimmer of hope. It encourages listeners to get up and take action, knowing that things will improve. The chorus repeats the message that everyone needs somebody and everyone has the right to love. The lyrics also suggest that sometimes we need to put our guard down and let someone in. The song advocates for unity and coming together, suggesting that if we work together, we can achieve true and lasting love.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was written and produced by the famous Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland. This team was responsible for many of the biggest hits of the 1960s and shaped the sound of Motown music. Another interesting fact is that this song was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and it is considered one of the group's signature songs.
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Rolling Stones, who covered it on their 1965 album "The Rolling Stones No. 2". In 1987, it was covered by the band Eurogliders, and their version reached the top 20 in Australia. In addition to being a popular song for covers, it has also been used in many TV shows and movies, including the films "Goodfellas" and "Baby Driver".
The song's chord progression is fairly simple and includes chords like D major, G major, A major, and E minor. It follows a classic pop song structure, with verses leading into a catchy chorus.
Chords: D, G, A, E minor.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone and in a corner
When you're alone and feeling cornered
Your only mourner, is the face that
The only person mourning your struggles is the reflection of your own face
Appears in the nearest mirror
That you see in the closest mirror
You've gotta get it going and somehow knowing
You must keep moving forward, knowing deep down
You're gonna have it better than you ever had it, because
Things will soon improve and your situation will be better than before
Everybody needs somebody
Every person needs someone to love and to rely on
Everybody's got the right to love
Every person deserves the right to love and be loved in return
If it were me, say I
If I were in your shoes, I would say
I'd say I
I would acknowledge my feelings and admit
But if it's you, say you
If it's your situation, acknowledge your feelings and admit
Cause if you could give in for a minute
If you could let yourself be vulnerable for a moment
Put your soul in it
Give it your all, pour your heart and soul into it
We could get it together and forever love
We could unite and love each other forever
So what's the use of running boy
What's the point in running away from this, my boy?
You know there ain't no point in running
You know that running away won't solve your problems
You need somebody, somebody to love you
You need someone to love and care for you
Cause everybody needs somebody
Because everyone needs someone to rely on and love
Everybody's got the right to love
Everyone deserves to love and be loved
You got the right to say I, need somebody
You have every right to say you need someone
I need you, he needs me
I need you, and he needs me
Come together, talk to me, oh yeah
Join together, let's communicate with each other, oh yeah
You can have all the things that you desire
You can attain everything you dream of
But without love you just can't survive
Without love, life is incomplete and unsatisfying
Cause you need love to warm your heart at night
Because love is what brings warmth to your heart at night
When you're all alone and no comfort's in sight
When you feel alone and lost with no one to comfort you
Everybody needs somebody
Everyone needs someone to rely on and love
Everybody's got the right to love
Everyone deserves to love and be loved
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GL AnnapolisTeam
I think the vocals on this are very pretty. This song came up on my playlist this morning while driving to work. I was feeling a little down & this song really lifted me up.
albert frye
Supremescene, thanks for posting this wonderful record by the new Supremes. I first heard Mary, Cindy, and Jean perform Everybody's Got the Right to Love at the Steel Pier's Music Hall theater in Atlantic City, NJ during their week long engagement in the summer of 1970. The trio absolutely tore this song up and wowed the audience. Everybody was the last number on their show and hearing the record brings back wonderful memories.
bunnyoneful
Wish my 14 yr old self could have witnessed that. This song came out my freshman yr of High school.
Carlos Leon
I LOVED the live version! Gil Askey rearranged it in a faster, jazz interpretation with Mary and Cindy taking their solo lines and Jean TEARING it up
SeptiaWoman
I was a small child when my aunts, etc. would play this record and sing along with it. I used to love watching them all lip sync to it! Diana was good with the group, but in my opinion Jean was just as good!
JACK ANTHONY
Jean was a smoother and more soulful singer than Diana.
Lewis Carey
This should have been # 1 for a couple of weeks! I was 13 when this gem came out!!! 👍👍👍
bunnyoneful
I was 14, great time to be a teenager!!
bunnyoneful
I always loved this song and wondered why it didn't do better
bunnyoneful
@Ann-marie Clarke You're right, but when I'm a fan I stay right with ya till the end. I like Jean Terrall she took them to a different level, like Dennis Edward's took the Temps. But that's just my opinion.