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.
Long Gone Lover
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone, long gone
Let me tell you that he's far far away
But I think about him every day
In my dreams at night I see his face
I just kiss his letter
And I feel better
He's been gone for such a long long time
But you know I'm sure that he's still mine
Though the things people say are hurting me
They're tryin' to make me think
He's deserting me
I just kiss his letter
And I feel better
Long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone, long gone
Long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone, long gone
I got a letter from him just this afternoon
Telling me that he'll be coming soon
Whenever I'm down and feeling bad
Whenever my heart is feeling sad
I just kiss his letter
And I feel better
Long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
My baby is a long gone lover
The lyrics of "Long Gone Lover" by Diana Ross and the Supremes express the pain of a woman whose lover has been gone for a long time. Even though people are trying to make her believe that he has left her, she receives a letter from him telling her that he is coming soon, and this letter brings her comfort. The theme of separation and longing is a common theme in many love songs, and this song captures the feeling of a woman who cannot forget her lost love.
The repetition of the line "My baby is a long gone lover" emphasizes the woman's feelings of longing and sadness. The line "In my dreams at night I see his face" suggests that even in her sleep, she cannot escape thoughts of her lover. The line "I just kiss his letter and I feel better" is a poignant reminder of how letters used to be an important form of communication before the advent of modern technologies like email and texting. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the woman receiving a letter from her lover telling her that he will be coming soon, bringing her some relief.
Line by Line Meaning
Long gone lover
Referring to a previous lover who is no longer present in the singer's life.
My baby is a long gone lover
The singer's ex-lover is no longer with her currently.
My baby is a long gone lover
The singer repeats that her ex-lover is no longer with her currently.
My baby is a long gone, long gone
The singer stresses that her ex-lover is definitely no longer with her.
Let me tell you that he's far far away
The singer acknowledges that her ex-lover is physically far from her.
But I think about him every day
Despite the distance, the singer frequently thinks about her ex-lover.
In my dreams at night I see his face
The singer sees her ex-lover's face in her dreams.
Ain't no other guy gonna take his place
The singer believes that no other man can replace her ex-lover.
I just kiss his letter
To feel closer to her ex-lover, the singer kisses a letter from him.
And I feel better
Kissing the letter brings comfort to the singer.
He's been gone for such a long long time
The singer emphasizes the length of time her ex-lover has been gone.
But you know I'm sure that he's still mine
Despite his absence, the singer is confident in her continuing hold on her ex-lover.
Though the things people say are hurting me
The singer is bothered by what other people are saying about her relationship.
They're tryin' to make me think
Others are attempting to influence the singer's thoughts and feelings about her ex-lover.
He's deserting me
The negative comments people are making suggest that the singer's ex-lover is abandoning her.
I just kiss his letter
Repeating an earlier action, the singer finds solace in kissing a letter from her ex-lover.
And I feel better
Once again, kissing the letter brings comfort to the singer.
I got a letter from him just this afternoon
The singer informs the listener that she recently received a letter from her ex-lover.
Telling me that he'll be coming soon
The letter allegedly includes information that her ex-lover will return soon.
Whenever I'm down and feeling bad
When the singer feels low or unhappy, she resorts to a familiar coping mechanism.
Whenever my heart is feeling sad
A redundant but poetic rephrasing of the previous line.
I just kiss his letter
Again, the singer kisses the letter for comfort.
And I feel better
Kissing the letter has become an effective way for the singer to feel better.
Long gone lover
Repeating the song's opening line, the singer reminds us of the theme of the song.
My baby is a long gone lover
The singer reiterates that her ex-lover is physically distant from her.
My baby is a long gone lover
Once again, the singer stresses that her ex-lover is no longer present.
My baby is a long gone lover
At the end of the song, the singer repeats the refrain one more time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danielle Gillmore Johnson
This is one song that truly highlights their individual singing abilities -- from Mary's intro ("Long gone lover, my baby is a..."), to Diana doing the verses to Flo's ending ("My baby's gone...") -- and the impeccable harmony!
And they were YOUNG! Diana and Mary were 20, and Florence was 21 when this song was released on the "Where Did Our Love Go?" album!
Bernie
This was almost like a gospel.
Lewis Carey
Truly classic album!! Great job Diana ! Mary!! Flo!!! 👍👍👍
D. Singler-Kron
Yes the Supreme's were: Diana, Florence and Mary. Subtract any one of the 3 girls and you don't have Long Gone Lover. Each personality and voice unique and the blend is spectacular.
Gary80264
Mary's voice is out of this world.
Tamara Hudson
Mary is killing the tenor lol
Eugenia Boone
@Ken Zeleny shut up hater. She has alto female voice. How do you sound when you sing?🤨
Modelt5000
There were no other girl groups at Motown could Touch The Supremes!! Sorry these girls were the ish!!! They Slayed. Long. Gone Lover! Diana, Mary and Florence!!!
FreeLancer LosAngeles
I think the contrast clicked with people. Diana's screech against Flo and marys softer tamber
Chae
Amazing song though!!! ❤️❤️❤️