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.

Respect
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What you want, baby I got
What you need, you know I got it
All I'm askin' is for a little respect
When I come home

I'm out to give you all my money
But all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my proper respect when I get home

Yeah, baby when I get home

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you gone
I ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't want to
All I want you to do to me
When you come home

Ooh, your kisses sweeter than honey
But guess what, so here's my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give me some here when you get home
Yeah, baby when you get home

R E S P E C T find out what it means to me

R E S P E C T take out T see P
A little respect

Overall Meaning

Dear Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations,

In the hit song Respect, the lyrics express a cry for respect from a lover. It starts with the singer boldly declaring that they have everything their lover wants and needs. However, they ask for a little respect when they come home. The singer emphasizes that they do not intend to do any wrong while their lover is away, and they expect the same treatment in return.

The lyrics continue with the singer expressing their love for their lover's sweet kisses and desire to provide for them. They even offer up their money, but only ask for some respect in return. The chorus of the song, which is repeated frequently, says, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me" and asks their lover to give them a little respect.

Overall, the song tells the story of someone who wants to be treated with dignity and respect by their partner. It portrays the idea that regardless of how many things one can give in a relationship, respect and love must be reciprocated.

Line by Line Meaning

What you want, baby I got
I possess the things that you desire, my love.

What you need, you know I got it
You are aware that I possess the things that you require to attain happiness.

All I'm askin' is for a little respect
A small token of esteem and consideration is all I ask for.

When I come home
After I return to our dwelling place.

I'm out to give you all my money
I am devoted to showering you with all my material wealth.

But all I'm askin' in return, honey
However, I request in return, dear one,

Is to give me my proper respect when I get home
That you show me the appropriate recognition I deserve once I arrive.

Yeah, baby when I get home
Indeed, my love, after I make my way back to our abode.

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you gone
While you are absent, I will not mistreat or deceive you.

I ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't want to
I will behave respectfully towards you because it is what I desire to do.

All I want you to do to me
The only thing that I require of you is

When you come home
That you honor me when you return.

Ooh, your kisses sweeter than honey
Your embraces and kisses are delightful beyond explanation.

But guess what, so here's my money
However, I possess something equally valuable to offer, take my money.

All I want you to do for me
My only desire is that,

Is give me some here when you get home
Upon your homecoming, you share a portion of your lovemaking with me.

Yeah, baby when you get home
Absolutely, my love, after you have come back home.

R E S P E C T find out what it means to me
Discovering the true signification of respect is imperative to me.

R E S P E C T take out T see P
Remove the letter 'T' from the word 'respect' to make see 'P', meaning perceive.

A little respect
Not an excess, but a small token of esteem will suffice.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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