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.
I'll Set You Free
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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Wonderful
You keep me satisfied
I need you by my side
But you want to leave today
Don't throw it all away
The tender love so true
The happiness we shared
Just knowin' someone cared
You're gonna need me
Like you needed me before
Need me, baby
Come back and close the door
Can't cool all my emotion
Can't cool all my devotion
Life could be something wonderful
I'll set you free
Something wonderful
I'll set you free
In your sweet caress
It's better than livin' a life of loneliness
Ooh I'm givin' you all I had to give
Each day made me proud to live
You took the best of me
If you don't want the rest of me
I'll set you free
Fine fine
I'll set you free
Fine fine
I don't want nobody who don't want me, ooh
You're gonna miss the love I've been givin'
You're gonna miss the life you've been livin'
You're gonna need me I know it
You're gonna want me
But I'll set you free, I'll set you free
Ooh, I'll set you free, I'll set you free
You don't care about me
Ooh, life could be something wonderful
Something wonderful
Here's a sweet caress
It's better than livin' a life of loneliness
You're gonna be lonely boy
Ooh I'm givin' you all I had to give
Each day made me proud to live
You took the best of me
If you don't want the rest of me
I'll set you free
I'll set you free
I'll set you free
Don't want nobody who don't want me
Yeah, you're gonna be lonely
You're gonna miss the love I've been givin'
You're gonna miss the life you've been livin'
You're gonna want me, baby I know it
You're gonna want me, but I'll set you free
I could be, oh baby, I could be
Oh baby, I could be
Anything I want to be
As long as I know you're here with me
The song "I'll Set You Free" by Diana Ross is about a dying relationship where the singer does not want their lover to leave. Ross sings about the happiness that they once shared and how the lover does not want to throw it all away. However, the lover has decided to leave, and the singer is aware that they will need them again in the future. The singer is letting them go in the hope that they will come back to them, but if they don't, the singer knows that they will be better off living a life of loneliness rather than being stuck in a relationship that is not fulfilling. The song ends with Ross singing that she could be anything she wants to be as long as the lover is with her.
The lyrics of the song express the pain that comes from ending a relationship where one person still loves the other. It's a heartbreaking situation where one person wants to stay, but the other person has decided to leave. The singer is torn between holding on to the love that they once shared and letting their lover go to find happiness elsewhere. The song's message is that sometimes, the best thing to do when it comes to love is to set someone free.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby life could be something wonderful
Life has the potential to be great with you in it.
You keep me satisfied
I am content and happy with you.
I need you by my side
I rely on you and can't imagine life without you.
But you want to leave today
You have expressed a desire to leave me.
Don't throw it all away
Please don't ruin what we have worked so hard for.
The tender love we knew
Our love used to be gentle and full of care.
The tender love so true
Our love was always honest and real.
The happiness we shared
We had many happy moments together.
Just knowin' someone cared
Feeling loved and cared for made me happy.
You're gonna need me
You will realize that you still need me in your life.
Like you needed me before
Just as you needed me in the past, you will need me again.
Need me, baby
You will crave my presence and love again.
Come back and close the door
Return to me and shut out the possibility of leaving again.
Can't cool all my emotion
I still feel strongly for you.
Can't cool all my devotion
My love and commitment to you will not fade.
I'll set you free
If you truly want to leave, I will release you.
Something wonderful
Our love could have been something truly special.
In your sweet caress
Being held and loved by you was one of my favorite things.
It's better than livin' a life of loneliness
Being with you was better than being alone.
Ooh I'm givin' you all I had to give
I have given you my all.
Each day made me proud to live
Being with you made me feel fulfilled and happy.
You took the best of me
You have my heart and soul.
If you don't want the rest of me
If you don't want to be with me completely, then it's best to go our separate ways.
Fine fine
I'm accepting of your decision, even though it hurts.
I don't want nobody who don't want me, ooh
I know I deserve someone who wants to be with me.
You're gonna miss the love I've been givin'
You will regret leaving me and the love that we shared.
You're gonna miss the life you've been livin'
Your life will be emptier and less fulfilling without me in it.
You're gonna need me I know it
I am confident that you will come to realize how much you still need me.
I could be, oh baby, I could be
I have potential to be anything I want with or without you.
Anything I want to be
I have the freedom to pursue my dreams and goals.
As long as I know you're here with me
I will be happy as long as you stay by my side.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, GWENDOLYN GORDY FUQUA, IVY JO HUNTER, RENEE LEE TENER, TENER RENEE LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind