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.
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sing it for me, fellows, now
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I try to put my arms around you
All because I want to hold you tight
But every time I reach for you, baby, try to kiss you
You just jump clean out of sight
And, oh, I've got news for you
Baby, now I'll make place for two
I guess you're just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
Everybody, say it
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
One more time
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm gonna love you in every way
(Gonna love you, gonna love you in every way)
I say I'm gonna love, girl, you in every way
(Gonna love you, gonna love you in every way)
Now, other girls are falling
And I'm waiting for the moment
But I need you to stay by my side
I know you've heard about me
Bad things about me
Baby, please let me explain
I have kissed a few (baby, baby)
Many a few have kissed me, too
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
(Love you, love you)
Everybody, say
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, sing it, everybody, now
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
In "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," the Temptations sing about their desire to hold their love interest tight, but despite their efforts, she always seems to slip away. Despite this, the Temptations are determined to love her in every way and prove themselves to her. They acknowledge that they may have a bad reputation, but they ask for her understanding and promise to love her fully. The song is a testament to the power of persistence and determination in the face of rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Encouragement to continue singing and enjoying the music.
I try to put my arms around you
All because I want to hold you tight
But every time I reach for you, baby, try to kiss you
You just jump clean out of sight
I want to be close to you, but whenever I make a move, you avoid me.
And, oh, I've got news for you
Baby, now I'll make place for two
I guess you're just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
I am willing to make space in my life for you, and I know you are a stubborn person, but I still want to love you.
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
One more time
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Encouragement to repeat the chorus and enjoy the music.
I'm gonna love you in every way
(Gonna love you, gonna love you in every way)
I say I'm gonna love, girl, you in every way
(Gonna love you, gonna love you in every way)
I will love you with all that I have, and in every way possible.
Now, other girls are falling
And I'm waiting for the moment
But I need you to stay by my side
I know you've heard about me
Bad things about me
Baby, please let me explain
I have kissed a few (baby, baby)
Many a few have kissed me, too
I guess I'm just a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
(Love you, love you)
While other girls want to be with me, I want you to stay by my side, and even though there are rumors about me, I am a loyal person who wants to love only you.
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, sing it, everybody, now
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, say yeah, yeah, yeah
Encouragement to repeat the chorus and enjoy the music.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: GEORGE GORDY, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind