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 Boss
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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Thought I had my degree
In life and how love
Ought to be a run
I had a one step plan to prove it
Guide in my pocket for fools
Folly and fun
I was so right, so right
Thought I could turn emotion, on and off
I was so sure, so sure
But love taught me
Who was, who was, who was the boss
I?d defy
Anyone who claimed that I
Didn't control
Whatever moved in my soul
I could tempt, touch, delight
Just because you fell for me
Why should I feel uptight
Love had to show me one thing
I was so right, so right
Thought I could turn emotion, on and off
I was so sure, I was so, so sure
But love taught me
Taught me who was, who was, the boss
Love taught me, taught me
Taught me, taught me
I was so right, so right
Thought I could turn emotion, on and off
I was so sure, so sure
But love taught me
Taught me who was, who was, the boss
Love taught me
Love taught me who was the boss
Love taught me who was the boss
Love taught me, love taught me
Love taught me who was the boss
In the song "The Boss" by Diana Ross, the singer is reflecting on her past beliefs about love and control and how she was proven wrong by it. She thought she had her life and love figured out and thought she could turn her emotions on and off. She had a plan and even had a guide in her pocket for dealing with fools in love. However, Love showed her that she couldn't control her emotions and that someone else was in charge, the boss. She used to defy anyone who claimed that they could control her but now sees that love holds the power over her.
The lyrics reveal a sense of empowerment and liberation. The singer thought she had everything under control, but Love showed her that she couldn't and that in a way, it's okay to let somebody else lead the way. The use of the word "boss" in the song is an indication of someone in charge, someone who leads, and someone who calls the shots. In this context, it shows that Love is in charge, and who else would you want to be in charge than Love?
The song conveys a sense of optimism and hope that if we let Love be the boss, everything will work out in the end. It also shows that sometimes, we need to let go of control and let Love do its thing. In the end, it's worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Fancy me
I thought highly of myself
Thought I had my degree
I thought I knew everything
In life and how love
In life and how to love
Ought to be a run
Was easy and predictable
I had a one step plan to prove it
I had a simple plan to prove myself right
Guide in my pocket for fools
I had a guide for people who didn't understand my plan
Folly and fun
I thought everything was a joke
Love had to show me one thing
I needed to learn something about love
I was so right, so right
I was convinced that I was right
Thought I could turn emotion, on and off
I thought I could control my emotions
But love taught me
But I learned from love
Who was, who was, who was the boss
Who was really in charge
I’d defy
I would challenge
Anyone who claimed that I
Anyone who said that I didn't
Didn't control
Didn't have control over
Whatever moved in my soul
My emotions and feelings
I could tempt, touch, delight
I could lure, influence, and please
Just because you fell for me
Just because you were attracted to me
Why should I feel uptight
Why should I worry or feel uneasy
Love had to show me one thing
I had to learn something from love
Love taught me, taught me
Love educated me
I was so sure, I was so, so sure
I was very confident
Love taught me who was, who was, the boss
I learned who really had control
Love taught me who was the boss
Love taught me who was in charge
Love taught me, love taught me
Love educated me
Love taught me who was the boss
Love taught me who was really in control
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ReMarcTeesmom 1
My favorite Diana Ross song. She sung the hell out of this and Nick and Val's backgrounds were spot on from the first note.
Oneil Mackey
"The Boss" is my absolute favorite Diana Ross song of all time! 👍🏾
Octagon9
what about that “did i crumble or did I lay down and cry”
i forget the name but that’s a good one too
TIMONTHEGRAM
@Octagon9 that’s I will survive by Gloria Gaynor
Gail Oliver
🙌🏾
Gail Oliver
@Octagon9 … Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”
Maureen
My absolute favorite Diana Ross song...so underrated...
treehuggerdude4
I know right? I love this song!
Angeles Torne
Hermoso tema que negra diosa !!!! Amo toda esa época tengo 50 años de chica ya me gustaba la musica de los 60 , 70 y 80
Stephanie
Mine too!