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.

Sincerely
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Harvey Fuqua/Alan Freed)

Sincerely
Oh, yes sincerely
'Cause I love you so dearly
Please say you'll be mine

Sincerely

Oh, you know how I love you
I'll do anything for you
Please say you'll be mine

Oh, Lord, won't you tell me why
I love that fella so
He doesn't want me
But I'll never, never, never let him go

Sincerely
Oh, you know how I love you
I'll do anything for you
Please say you'll be mine

Oh, Lord, won't you tell me why
I love that fella so
He doesn't want me
But I'll never, never, never let him go

Sincerely
Oh, you know how I love you
I'll do anything for you
Please say you'll be mine

Please say you'll be mine
Please say you'll be mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sincerely" by Diana Ross are about a person who is deeply in love with someone else and is hoping that the love is reciprocated. The singer expresses her undying love and affection for her beloved person, asking them to say they will love her in return. She also wonders why she loves this person despite the rejection she's faced, but she's determined to hold on to this love no matter what.

The overall tone of the song is one of yearning and vulnerability, with the singer unable to move on from her feelings despite the other person not feeling the same way. The lyrics capture the essence of unrequited love and how it can make one feel powerless and desperate for validation.

In essence, "Sincerely" is a love song that taps into the deeper emotions and struggles that come with being in love with someone who may not feel the same way. It is a poignant and relatable portrayal of the heartache and hope that can come with unrequited love.

Line by Line Meaning

Sincerely
I mean every word I say and we have a deep connection between us.

Oh, yes sincerely
I am serious and sincere about my feelings towards you.

'Cause I love you so dearly
I genuinely and passionately adore you.

Please say you'll be mine
I desire a romantic relationship with you and hope you feel the same way.

Oh, you know how I love you
You are fully aware of my intense love for you.

I'll do anything for you
I am willing to sacrifice anything for your happiness.

Oh, Lord, won't you tell me why
I am questioning the reasons behind my strong feelings for him.

I love that fella so
I am deeply infatuated with him.

He doesn't want me
He does not reciprocate my romantic feelings towards him.

But I'll never, never, never let him go
Despite his rejection, I am willing to hold on to this unrequited love for as long as possible.

Please say you'll be mine
I am pleading with you to become my romantic partner.