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.
The Beginning Of The End )
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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That once came easy
Now seems strained and insincere
Could this be the beginning
The beginning of the end
You don't tell me that you love me
And your kisses seem untrue
The beginning of the end
My heart oh, my love
My everything has always
Been just for you
Now I pray every day
Each and every day
This coldness I find is only in my mind
Now you swear
You still love me
I longer feel you need me near
Could this be the beginning
I believe it's the beginning of the end
The beginning
The beginning of the end
The lyrics to Diana Ross & The Supremes's song "The Beginning Of The End Of Love," describe the disintegration of a once warm and loving relationship. The tender words of love that once came easy are now strained and insincere, leading the singer to question if this is the beginning of the end. The lack of affection from the partner and deceitful kisses indicate the beginning of the end of their love. However, the singer still holds on to the hope that this coldness they feel is only in their mind. The partner swears they still love them, but the singer no longer feels needed, and they believe it is the beginning of the end.
The song's lyrics are relatable and capture the bitter feeling of a once bright and loving relationship coming to an end. The use of words like "strained" and "insincere" highlights the emotions of the person experiencing the end of the relationship. The song's slow and mournful tune enhances the melancholic lyrics of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Tender words of love
Words expressing affection and warmth that were once easy to say
That once came easy
Were once spoken effortlessly without hesitation
Now seems strained and insincere
But now appears forced and lacking genuineness
Could this be the beginning
Is this possibly the start of something negative or the end of a once-positive situation
The beginning of the end
An ominous indication that things are heading towards a conclusion
You don't tell me that you love me
You no longer express your feelings of love towards me
And your kisses seem untrue
Even your physical affection feels insincere and lacking passion
My heart oh, my love
My heart, the very essence of my being and my love for you
My everything has always
You have always been my everything, the center of my world
Been just for you
Without exception, my thoughts and actions have been solely directed towards you
Now I pray every day
But now I find myself praying every day
Each and every day
With increasing frequency, constantly and consistently
This coldness I find is only in my mind
The emotional distance I perceive may not necessarily be the reality of the situation
Now you swear
You make promises to me
You still love me
That you still have feelings of love towards me
I longer feel you need me near
But I no longer sense a desire for my presence or closeness
I believe it's the beginning of the end
I am coming to the realization that this is the start of the end of our relationship
The beginning
The beginning of something negative or unfortunate
The beginning of the end
The start of the conclusion or termination of something that was once positive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE HIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edgar Soberón Torchia
I have always loved this song since it was released. Great bass line, too.
Hammy Cats69
I agree it is my favourite DRATS songs and actually has only Mary, Cindy and guest Syreeta Wright on backing no dull Andantes. 🤩🤩
Cord Ryden / Tommy Song Club
I was singing the chorus to this song, in my head tonight, and I just had to find it! Great job with this!! Excellent sound, and great images! The Supremes rule!! Thanks for posting! Have a great week! Peace, Cord
Gérald Montreuil
So did I. I just had to listen to it this morning. Thinking of Putin and all the mess he is creating worldwide.
Let's pray God to help solve this nightmare with Ukraine.
Syd Hawdon
This song came into my head today, had to come along and have a listen, twice. Great song ❤️
JohnnyM Fan
Underappreciated. One of their all time best. Thats Mary and Cindy on this too
Hammy Cats69
Mary, Cindy and Syreeta, just awesome. 🤩🤩
theSUPREMEscene
i'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Hammy Cats69
My favourite DRATS song by far and it is just Diana, Mary, Cindy and Syreeta Wright, and no Andantes, yay! 👍
Cindy and Mary are so audible on this, so beautiful. 🥺
By way Syreeta steps in at 1.40 - 1.43
MotownMaster
The Supremes & Syreeta, love this song