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.
River Deep Mountain High
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only doll I've ever owned
Well, I love you just the way I loved that rag doll
Only now my love has grown
And it gets stronger stronger in every way yeah
And it gets deeper deeper everyday
And it gets higher higher day by day
Do I love you, my, oh, my
Ooo, baby
River deep, mountain high
Yeah, yeah, yeah
If I lost you, would I cry? Oh-ho
Oh, how I love you baby
Baby, baby
When you were a young girl
Did you have a puppy
That always followed you around?
Well, I'm gonna be as faithful as that puppy
You know I'll never let you down
'Cause it goes on an on
On an on
Like the river flows
And it gets deeper, baby
Deeper
Heaven knows
And it gets sweeter baby
Sweeter
As it flows
Do I love you, my, oh, my
River deep mountain high
'Cause it's so high
If I lost you, would I cry?
Oh, how I love you baby
I love you
Baby, baby
How I love you, baby
Like the flower loves the spring
And I love ya, baby
Like the robin loves to sing
Ooo hoo and I love you, baby
Like a school girl loves her pie, yeah
And I love baby
River deep and mountain high
I love ya baby
The mountain so high
And river deep
Woo, oh, baby, baby
I love ya baby, hoo
I bet ya do
I love you, baby
Do you love me?
Yes I do oh-ho
Do I love you, my, oh, my
Tell me, tell me, tell me
River deep mountain high
Oh, if I lost you
If I lost you
Would I cry
Would I cry baby?
I love you, baby, baby
Baby
Tell me do ya love me, baby?
I love you, yeah
River so deep (I love you, baby)
Mountain so high (river deep)
Oh-ho, yeah, baby (mountain high)
Oh-oh yeah (I love you, baby, river deep)
River deep, mountain high (mountain high)
River so deep mountain so so so so high (I love you, baby, river deep, mountain high)
Yes, I love you, baby (I love you, baby)
Ah ah ah ah ah ah yeah baby (river deep, mountain high)
(I love you, baby)
I love you (river deep, mountain high)
Yeah yeah, yes, I do
(I love you, baby, river deep)
The lyrics of Diana Ross's "River Deep" portray a love so strong that it is compared to the force of nature. The first verse begins with a reference to a rag doll, which is a simple and often cherished toy for young children. The comparison that follows is that the singer's love, just like the girl's love for her doll, has grown stronger over time. The next verse uses a similar comparison, but with a puppy instead. The singer promises to be just as faithful as the pet that always followed the girl around.
The chorus is where the intensity of the love is truly expressed. It starts with a question, "Do I love you, my oh my?" which is then answered with comparisons to the power of nature. "River deep, mountain high" is a reference to the obstacles that the love can overcome, as well as the way it continues to grow stronger and deeper. The repetition of "yeah, yeah, yeah" emphasizes the strength of the singer's feelings. The chorus ends with a promise, "Oh I love you baby, how I love you baby."
Overall, the lyrics of "River Deep" create a vivid picture of a love so strong that it can overcome any obstacle. The comparisons to childhood toys and the forces of nature remind the listener of the simplicity and power of love. It is an emotional and uplifting song that celebrates the strength of a deep and abiding love.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were a young girl
As you were growing up
Did you want a rag doll
Did you desire a rag doll
The only doll you've ever owned
The only doll you possessed
Now I'll love you just the way you loved that rag doll
I will love you with the same intensity you loved that doll
Only now my love has grown
But now, my love is much stronger
It gets stronger as the river flows
My love for you grows stronger, like a river flowing
Deeper baby, heaven knows
And my love for you becomes deeper, like the depths of a river
Higher, as it goes
And it increases, like the height of a river
Do I love you, my oh my
Do I really love you, oh my god
River deep, mountain high, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love for you runs deep, like a river, and mighty, like a mountain
Do I love you, would I cry
Do I truly love you, would I ever cry
Oh I love you baby, how I love you baby
Oh, how much I love you, my baby
Did you have a puppy
Did you own a puppy
That always followed you around
Which always trailed you closely
Well I'm gonna be as faithful as that puppy
Well, I will be as committed and loyal to you as that dog
No, I'll never never let you down
I will never disappoint you
'Cause it gets stronger as the river flows
Because my love becomes stronger, like a river flowing
It gets deeper baby, heaven knows
And it grows deeper, as if reaching the heavens
It gets higher, so much higher, as it goes
And it gets higher and higher as time passes
I love you baby like a flower loves a spring
I love you like a flower blossoms in spring
I love you baby like a wrong man likes to sin
I love you like a sinful man loves to do wrong
I love you baby like a schoolboy likes his pie
I love you like a young boy savors his favorite treat
And oh I love you baby, river deep, mountain high
And oh, I love you so much, as deep as the river and as high as the mountain
Do I love you, my oh my
Can't you see how much I love you
River deep, mountain high, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love for you is boundless, like a river running deep and a mountain standing high
Do I love you, would I cry
Am I truly in love with you, would I ever weep
Oh I love you baby, how I love you baby
Oh, how incredibly and immensely I love you, my baby
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlfowler1996
The fantastic voice of Levi Stubbs can't be questioned.
@b.millsj2401
Everything can be questioned
@johnperry4572
After nearly 50 years.....this version still gets the juices flowing....and the hips and feet going.....
@donnawanna3680
This is Tina song and only Tina's song everybody else spoiled it
@mysticalmargaret6105
To me this is by far the best version of this song. Love it.
@barbaradownie3265
Margaret Tudor BY FAR 💖
@hux2000
My fave is the non-Spector version TIna Turner recorded in the early 70s. It really captures the energy of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJr3v8P5GMQ
@karenwilkerson582
My favorite version of this fabulous song!!!!! 2020
@debbienorris8820
Margaret yes 💗💗so many others are great also but this one is my fav also 😻
@mustafakace7106
A trick : you can watch series at flixzone. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies these days.