Diana Ross and The Supremes was the new name used by The Supremes from 1967… Read Full Bio ↴Diana Ross and The Supremes was the new name used by The Supremes from 1967 to 1970. It was Motown boss Berry Gordy's idea to explicitly make Diana Ross the group's front woman.

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 Second That Emotion
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics

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Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat.
And maybe you'll go away and never call,
And a taste of honey is worse that none at all.
Oh little girl!

In that case I don't want nobody
I do believe that that would only break my heart

Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion,
I second that emotion.
So, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion.

Maybe you'll think that love will tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around.
Or maybe you'll think that love will make us fools,
And so it makes you wise to break the rules.
Oh little girl!

In that case I don't want nobody
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion,
I second that emotion.
So, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion.

In that case I don't want nobody
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion,
I second that emotion.

So, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I Second that Emotion" express the singer's conflicting emotions about a romantic relationship. The first verse suggests that the singer is hesitant to engage in a brief, casual encounter with the object of their affection. They don't want to be used for a one-night stand and then discarded, but they also don't want to be left with nothing. The line "a taste of honey is worse than none at all" implies that some brief pleasure is better than nothing, but ultimately unsatisfying.

The second verse reveals that the singer is also hesitant to commit fully to a long-term relationship. They're afraid of being tied down or of being seen as a fool for being in love. Despite these reservations, the chorus makes it clear that when the object of affection is ready for either option - a one night stand or a lifetime of devotion - the singer is on board. They "second that emotion," meaning that they're fully supportive of whatever the other person wants.

Overall, the song expresses a desire for love and affection, but with a healthy dose of caution and skepticism.

Line by Line Meaning

Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
Perhaps you'll want to give me affectionate kisses

But only for one night with no repeat.
But just for one night without any future repetition.

And maybe you'll go away and never call,
Possibly, you'll leave and never contact me again.

And a taste of honey is worse that none at all.
And it's better to have no sweetness than just a small amount.

Oh little girl!
Oh, beloved one!

In that case I don't want nobody
In that situation, I don't need anyone

I do believe that that would only break my heart
I'm convinced that it would only cause me emotional pain.

Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
Oh, but if you desire to love me

If you got the notion,
If you have the inclination,

I second that emotion.
I wholeheartedly support and agree with that sentiment.