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.
If I Ruled the World
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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Every day would be
The first day of Spring
Every heart would have
A new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy
Every morning would bring
Every man would be
As free as a bird
Every voice would be
A voice to be heard
Take my word
We would treasure each day
That occurred
My world would be
A beautiful place
Where we would weave
Such a wonderful dream
My world would wear
A smile on its face
Like the man in the moon
When the moon beams
If I ruled the world
Every man would say
The world was his friend
There'd be happiness
That no man could end
No my friend
Not if I ruled the world
Every head
Would be held up high
There'd be sunshine
In everyone's sky
If day ever dawned
When I ruled the world
If I ruled the world
The song "If I Ruled the World" by Diana Ross and the Supremes is a beautiful rendition of a hopeful future where the world is a beautiful place. If the singer ruled the world, every day would feel like spring, and every person would be as free as a bird. The lyrics suggest a world full of joy, where every single morning would bring something beautiful. The singer says that if they ruled the world, everybody would have a new song to sing, and they would sing about the happiness that each day has to offer.
The song gives a sense of optimism and hopefulness. It presents a world where everyone is happy, every voice is heard, and every heart has a song to sing. The lyrics also suggest a world where people treasure each day that occurs. The singer suggests that their world would be a beautiful place where people weave a wonderful dream, and everyone wears a smile on their face - just like the man in the moon when the moon beams.
The overall message of the song is that the world can be a beautiful place, and all it takes is to treasure each day, ensure each voice is heard, and ensure everyone is happy. It paints a picture of a utopian world that could exist if we all worked together for the common good.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ruled the world
If I had complete power over the entire world
Every day would be
Each and every day
The first day of Spring
Would feel like a new beginning, like the first day of spring
Every heart would have
All individuals would possess
A new song to sing
A unique and fresh tune to express themselves with
And we'd sing of the joy
Together, we would express our happiness
Every morning would bring
The start of each day would bring about new opportunities and excitement
Every man would be
All individuals would have the freedom to be
As free as a bird
As unrestrained as a bird in flight
Every voice would be
Everyone's opinion would be
A voice to be heard
Acknowledged and valued
Take my word
Believe me
We would treasure each day
We would value and appreciate each day
That occurred
As they come
My world would be
The world under my rule
A beautiful place
Serene and wonderful
Where we would weave
Where we would work together to create
Such a wonderful dream
An amazing reality to behold
My world would wear
The world under my power would exhibit
A smile on its face
A delightful and joyful demeanor
Like the man in the moon
Just like the face on the moon's surface
When the moon beams
Under the influence of its rays
Every man would say
All individuals would express
The world was his friend
The world would be accommodating and gentle to him
There'd be happiness
There would be joy
That no man could end
Which couldn't be destroyed by anyone
No my friend
Let me make it clear
Not if I ruled the world
Under my control, such sorrow would never exist
Every head
The minds of every human
Would be held up high
Would be elevated and self-assured
There'd be sunshine
There would be brightness and cheerfulness
In everyone's sky
In the outlooks of each and every person
If day ever dawned
If that day ever arrived
When I ruled the world
When I had authority over the entire world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CYRIL ORNADEL, LESLIE BRICUSSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind