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.
Love Is Like A Heat Wave
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heat wave
Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And my heart's filled with fire
Could be that I'm very sentimental
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Sometimes she calls my name
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I feel, yeah I feel
I feel this burning flame
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Just give me another chance
This could be a new romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
The song "Love Is Like A Heat Wave" by Diana Ross and the Supremes is a classic example of the Motown sound, with its upbeat rhythm, catchy melody, and joyful lyrics. The song describes the intense feelings of passion and excitement that come with falling in love, using the metaphor of a "heat wave" to capture the intensity of these emotions. The lyrics suggest that the experience of love is overwhelming and all-consuming, as the singer's heart is "filled with fire" and they are unable to control the strong emotions that are tearing them apart.
The song's high-energy delivery and infectious groove make it a perfect example of the Motown sound and contribute to its enduring popularity. The Supremes' harmonies and Diana Ross's soulful vocals are a key part of the song's success, and the iconic "yeah yeah yeah" refrain has become a beloved part of pop culture.
Overall, "Love Is Like A Heat Wave" is a celebration of the intense emotions that come with falling in love, and it remains a classic example of the Motown sound that continues to inspire generations of music fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Heat wave
The intense heat of the summer season.
Heat wave
The repetition of the phrase signifies the singer is feeling intense passion.
Whenever I'm with you
Every time the singer is in their partner's presence.
Something inside
A feeling or emotion that is difficult to explain.
Starts to burn deep
A passionate sensation that begins to take over.
And my heart's filled with fire
A metaphor for the deep intensity of emotion that the singer is feeling.
Could be that I'm very sentimental
The possibility that the singer is just naturally emotional.
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
Questioning if these intense emotions are a normal part of being in love.
I got a heat wave
Reiterating the intense feeling of passion the singer is experiencing.
Burning in my heart
The physical sensation that is felt along with the emotional intensity of love.
I can't keep from crying
The overwhelming nature of the emotions that may cause the singer to cry uncontrollably.
Tearing me apart
The strong emotional pain that comes with the intensity of love.
Sometimes she calls my name
The presence of the singer's partner triggers intense emotions.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
The singer is unable to put into words the depth of emotion they are feeling.
I feel, yeah I feel
Emphasizing the physical and emotional sensation of the heat wave.
I feel this burning flame
A metaphor for the intensity of passion and love being felt by the singer.
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
The physical manifestation of the emotional intensity that the singer is feeling.
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
Rationalizing the intensity of passion as a natural and expected part of being in love.
Just give me another chance
Asking for an opportunity to experience this level of passion again.
This could be a new romance
The possibility of starting a new, intense relationship filled with passion.
Heat wave
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the intensity and passion of the emotions being felt.
Heat wave
A final reiteration of the passion being felt.
Heat wave
Closing the song with the intensity of the heat wave metaphor.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@normangourmand
Mary and Flo killed those backgrounds!
@MizuFusion
It's both Mary, Flo and the Andanetes.
@Cclinks87
Martha & the Vandella's rocked the hell outta this song. Diana aint touchin Martha at all! Martha sang this song!!!
@direfranchement
I appreciate this version because it helps to illuminate the difference between the various girl groups while many people in blur them all together in their memory. The Supremes were cute and polished, but Martha and the Vandellas were funky and earthy. Diana sounds very nasal here, and there was never any grit in her singing. Martha growls and belts like a champ. Of course Martha and the Vandellas own this song, but it is interesting to see the Supremes take on this song.
@dakari09
I like this version but the martha puts me in tears of joy when she sings this
@criticalthinker8013
Yea this is good but Martha in at old black n white live footage singing she just sings it with more passion she be hitting my soul when she sing it, she be singing it like she crying out from her soul like she mean single word.
@toguhx
her voice is very sweet
@BlkMagik
Nothing beats the original but I give The Supremes their props; they sang the hell out of this song.
@paulowen3856
supremes got this tune nailed
@Charmander74
Paul Owen Are you excited for the Sing HDH expanded edition out soon ?