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.
Nathan Jones
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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And you walked slowly down the hall
You said you had to get away to ease your mind
And all you needed was a little of time
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
You never rung me, you never called
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
If a woman could die of tears
Nathan Jones, well, I wouldn't be here
The key that you're holding won't fit my door
And there's no room in my heart for you no more
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
You never rung me, you never called
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
Gone too long
Nathan Jones
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
You never rung me, you never called
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
Gone too long
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
You never rung me, you never called
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
Gone too long
The lyrics to Diana Ross and the Supremes’s song Nathan Jones tell the story of a woman who has been left behind by a man who has disappeared from her life without a word. The woman recalls how the man packed his bags and walked slowly down the hall, telling her he needed to get away to ease his mind and that all he needed was a little time. As winter turned to spring and fall, she never heard from him or received a call from him, and she began to wonder if he was ever coming back.
With each passing day, the woman's heart grows more and more distant from the man, and she realizes that there is no room in her heart for him anymore. She imagines that if a woman could die of tears, she would have already died. She knows that the key he holds won't fit her door and that he has been gone too long. The repetitive chorus of "Nathan Jones, you've been gone too long" emphasizes the woman's feeling of abandonment and her desire for the man to return.
The lyrics of Nathan Jones are relatable to many people who have experienced heartbreak and abandonment. The powerful and emotional lyrics, combined with the Supremes’ soulful vocals and the song's catchy rhythm, make it a classic Motown hit.
Line by Line Meaning
You packed your bags as I recall
I remember when you packed your bags
And you walked slowly down the hall
You left in a slow and deliberate manner
You said you had to get away to ease your mind
You told me that you needed to leave to clear your head
And all you needed was a little of time
You said that all you needed was some time to yourself
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
It's been a long time since you left
You never rung me, you never called
You never contacted me
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
You have been away for too long
If a woman could die of tears
If crying could kill a person,
Nathan Jones, well, I wouldn't be here
I wouldn't be alive because of how much I've cried over you
The key that you're holding won't fit my door
You can't come back into my life
And there's no room in my heart for you no more
I no longer have feelings for you
Nathan Jones
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
It's been a long time since you left
You never rung me, you never called
You never contacted me
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
You have been away for too long
Gone too long
Oh winter's passed spring and fall
It's been a long time since you left
You never rung me, you never called
You never contacted me
Nathan Jones you've been gone too long
You have been away for too long
Gone too long
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEKE RICHARDS, DENNIS LUSSIER, FRANK EDWARD WILSON, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER, R. DEAN TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
O' FISHELY
This song was EPIC for the time it was made... a female group using a 'phase setter' synthesizer to make the awesome jet plane sound as a backdrop. 💖 I remember the day it played on KRLA Radio CA.
James Adams
Great song. Great memory - thanks!
metrogoldwyn mccormick
This record from spring '71 is just one of several underappreciated gems from the post Diana Supremes.It's a shame the world didn't seem to care to hear more at the time.Perhaps now,several decades later, they will with the help of YT
Klimt Eastward
This song was a substantial hit in the UK and Ireland in September-October 1971. If anything, other recordings of theirs were overlooked; but not this. Great sound which holds up more than half a century later.
Lewis Carey
@Klimt Eastward BANANARAMA has an EXCELLENT version,! How well I remember Nathan when it aired in '71!! 💅💅💅
Dave King
@Lewis Carey it's very good but this is better.
Eros Sinema
Because people were too used to Diana Ross' impeccable charisma and voice. No matter what anyone says, Diana Ross' singing voice was a force to be reckoned with. She was most associated with the The Supremes. After she left, the group sounded too different and not as captivating and they eventually turned into a Muzak disco hot mess. It did not help that the personnel of the 1970s Supremes kept changing as fast as people changed their underwear. This led to a lack of cohesiveness and connection to the group.
They also became out of style. Over glamourous gowns and two whispery back up singers with one pronounced lead singer was a style that people had perhaps grown tired of. People moved onto Honey Cone and others.
The 1970s Supremes sold small concerts, not records.. When I listen to them I hear something quite average about their sound . They should have changed their name. It would have been far better if Syreeta was chosen as lead singer. But based on the many stupid business decisions Mary made-- having Jean ending up as the lead singer, was just another. She fought Berry on that decision and won.
K. Hendrickson
I’ve had this song stuck in my head for 48 hours! “Oh winter’s passed, spring, and fall... Nathan Jones you been gone to long...”
John Fulton
I love this song also it's a damn shame that the supremes were not supported by motown the way they should have been Gordy did not want them to outshine miss ross buddha records made the supremes an offer they couldn't leave for legal reasons what a shame look at what buddha records did for Gladys Knight and the Pips!!!
John Fulton
Nathan Jones gone too long and Jimmy Mack ain't commin back two trifling brothers but that's to be expected their papa was a rolling stone