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.
He's My Sunny Boy
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now let me tell you how much good
You've done me boy
Cause when I'm feeling alone
You give me plenty joy
Into each lives some rain must fall
But with you here
There's no rain at all
Sunny boy
Looks good in everything
From silk to corduroy
To see him I'd walk from Idaho to Illinois
(Or anywhere)
Do anything to be with him
My sunshine when the world is dim
It's sunny boy, sunny boy
My pride and joy
Sunny boy
Sunny boy
You made my life so sweet
It's just like honey, boy
And I love you so much till it ain't funny boy
My cloudy days have been de-clouded
Since you're here so keep on shining
Sunny boy, sunny boy
My pride and joy
Hey, sunny boy
My honey boy
Now only your sweet lovin' can give me joy
I'm trying to tell the world
That you're my sunny boy
The lyrics to Diana Ross and the Supremes's song "He's My Sunny Boy" tell a story of a woman who has found happiness and joy in her life thanks to the presence of a man referred to as "Sunny Boy". The lyrics convey a sense of deep gratitude and appreciation towards the person who has brought light and positivity into the singer's life. The imagery used in the lyrics further emphasizes the significance of Sunny Boy's presence in the singer's life.
The lyrics "Into each lives some rain must fall, but with you here there's no rain at all" highlight the idea that even though challenging times are inevitable in life, the presence of someone who brings happiness and positivity can make all the difference. The singer also expresses a strong sense of admiration towards Sunny Boy, highlighting how much he means to her. This is conveyed through lyrics such as "Looks good in everything from silk to corduroy" and "To see him I'd walk from Idaho to Illinois". The lyrics ultimately celebrate the profound impact that love and companionship can have on a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Sunny boy
Addressing the person who brings happiness and joy into her life
Now let me tell you how much good
Expressing the gratitude and appreciation towards Sunny boy
You've done me boy
Acknowledging the positive influence that Sunny boy has had in her life
Cause when I'm feeling alone
Explaining the situation where Sunny boy's presence is needed
You give me plenty joy
Expressing how Sunny boy brings happiness and contentment
Into each lives some rain must fall
Saying that everyone faces difficulties and hardships in life
But with you here
Highlighting the significance of Sunny boy's presence
There's no rain at all
Implying that Sunny boy has the ability to bring sunshine even in difficult times
Looks good in everything
Complimenting Sunny boy's appearance and style
From silk to corduroy
Listing different types of clothing that Sunny boy can wear and still look good
To see him I'd walk from Idaho to Illinois
Stressing the extent to which she is willing to go to see Sunny boy
(Or anywhere)
Emphasizing that she would go anywhere to be with Sunny boy
Do anything to be with him
Expressing the strong desire to be with Sunny boy
My sunshine when the world is dim
Describing Sunny boy as a source of light and positivity
You made my life so sweet
Expressing how Sunny boy has made her life better
It's just like honey, boy
Using a metaphor to convey how sweet life is with Sunny boy
And I love you so much till it ain't funny boy
Expressing the intensity of love towards Sunny boy
My cloudy days have been de-clouded
Saying that Sunny boy has cleared up her emotional troubles and made her happy
Since you're here so keep on shining
Encouraging Sunny boy to continue being a source of brightness and joy in her life
Hey, sunny boy
Calling out to Sunny boy
My honey boy
Expressing affection towards Sunny boy
Now only your sweet lovin' can give me joy
Implying that Sunny boy's love and presence is necessary for her happiness
I'm trying to tell the world
Expressing the need to spread the word about Sunny boy's important role in her life
That you're my sunny boy
Declaring Sunny boy as her source of light, happiness and joy
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Rains
What a record....Iβm having a few tears (of joy) being fortunate enough to hear many of the great Supremes tracks. This is great. Sleep well Mary Wilson
Sanders RA
Sweet sounds from the three actual members of The Supremes.
Joshua Keddy
They sang this song about me π I used to imagine as a young fella still love this song
julie robinson
Happy birthday Smokey Robinson my favourite 'sunny boy' lyricist πππΎπ΅πΌβ₯οΈ he was 80 years old on 19th Feb...amazing songwriter of our time...ππ€
Ifeya
yes, my boi is sunny, sweet, & oceans of wisdom.
Carlos Leon
One of the very, very rare where Mary and Cindy are on harmonies
dchi2012
As far as Iβm gonna make you love me itβs Mary Cindy and the andantes. Frank Wilson makes it a point to use Mary and Cindy. And if you notice all the b sides from 68 on 95% of the times itβs Mary and Cindy. And for a final thought Here is what Deke Richards describes about Mary and Cindy:
They have a great, almost haunting sound. I attribute this to the rich, almost velvet, but raspy timber of Mary's voice. With the right harmony part, and just the right balance between her and Cindy, it can almost sound like there are 3 girls singing, instead of 2.
Sanders RA
@dchi2012 We never made arguments against what you're saying. We're just saying to have them on a record was rare, which is supported be the audio recordings released during that time that feature session singers behind Diana. And even the idea that The Supremes were on all studio recordings with The Temptations is a myth. There's a three-part harmony happening in the background on the female half of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me". And the female voice at the top is singing in a way that I've never heard Cindy sing. Sounds like Louvain Demps to me.
dchi2012
They still recorded regularly during the DRATS period. Thereβs not one album that didnβt have Mary or Cindyβs vocals on it
dchi2012
Actually no itβs not.