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.
Everyday People
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the thinker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah
There is a blue one, who can't accept the green one
For living with a fat one, trying to be a skinny one
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
We got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
You love me, you hate me you load me and then
You can't figure out what bag I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah
There is a long hair, who doesn't like the short hair
For being such a rich one, that will not help the poor one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
We got to live together
There is a yellow one, who doesn't like the black one
Who won't accept the red one, who won't accept the white one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
I am everyday people
'Cause there is a blue one, who can't accept the green one
For living with the fat one, trying to be a skinny one
There is a long hair, who doesn't like the short hair
For being such a rich one, that doesn't help the poor one
I am everyday people
'Cause there is a yellow one, who don't accept the black one
Who won't accept the red one, who won't accept the white one
I am everyday people
The lyrics to the song Everyday People by Diana Ross and the Supremes revolve around the theme of diversity and the need for people to accept each other, regardless of their differences. The song begins by acknowledging that sometimes people can be right or wrong, but the important thing is that they have their beliefs and express them through their own songs. The verse also emphasizes that it doesn't matter what group a person belongs to, since ultimately, they are all everyday people.
The chorus highlights the diversity and differences among people, and how these differences can sometimes lead to conflict and intolerance. The line "different strokes for different folks" serves as a reminder that people have unique ways of living and thinking, and it is essential to respect those differences. The song emphasizes the importance of living together in harmony, despite the differences.
In the second verse, the lyrics specifically mention different types of people who may not accept each other, such as the long hair who doesn't like the short hair, or the rich one who doesn't help the poor one. The song restates the importance of accepting and respecting each other just as they are, without letting judgments or prejudices cloud the view of that person. The song is poetic in nature but embodied an essential message about diversity and mutual acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My beliefs can sometimes be correct or incorrect
My own beliefs are in my song
My personal beliefs are expressed in my music
The butcher, the thinker, the drummer and then
Regardless of the profession, we are all equal
Makes no difference what group I'm in
My identity is not defined by the group I belong to
I am everyday people, yeah
I am an average person, just like everyone else
There is a blue one, who can't accept the green one
There are people who can't accept those who are different from them
For living with a fat one, trying to be a skinny one
They judge others for their physical appearance and try to conform to societal standards
And different strokes for different folks
People have different preferences and tastes, which is perfectly normal
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
There are countless examples like this, and the list goes on and on
We got to live together
We have to coexist with people who are different from us
I am no better and neither are you
None of us are superior or inferior to each other
We are the same whatever we do
We are equal regardless of our actions
You love me, you hate me you load me and then
Regardless of how someone feels about me, we are all equal
You can't figure out what bag I'm in
You can't classify me based on your preconceived notions or stereotypes
There is a long hair, who doesn't like the short hair
People judge and dislike those who are different from them, such as with hair length
For being such a rich one, that will not help the poor one
People judge and dislike those who are wealthy and not helping the poor
There is a yellow one, who doesn't like the black one
People judge and dislike those who are different from them, such as with race
Who won't accept the red one, who won't accept the white one
People judge and dislike those who are different from them, such as with skin color
I am everyday people
I am just like everyone else, regardless of our differences
'Cause there is a blue one, who can't accept the green one
People have difficulty accepting those who are different from them
For living with the fat one, trying to be a skinny one
People judge and discriminate based on physical appearance and societal standards
There is a long hair, who doesn't like the short hair
People judge and dislike others based on superficial differences
For being such a rich one, that doesn't help the poor one
People judge and dislike those who are wealthy and not helping the less fortunate
I am everyday people
Despite our differences, we are all equal and relatable as regular people
'Cause there is a yellow one, who don't accept the black one
People hold prejudices against those who are different from them, such as with skin color
Who won't accept the red one, who won't accept the white one
People hold prejudices against those who are different from them based on their skin color
I am everyday people
Regardless of the differences we have, we are all just regular people
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sylvester Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind