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.
This Old Heart of Mine
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each time you break away, I fear you've gone to stay.
Lonely nights that come, memories that flow, bringing you back again,
Hurting me more and more.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside;
'Cause each day that passes by you got me
Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
I love you, yes, I do.
These old arms of mine miss having you around;
Makes these tears inside start a-falling down.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside;
'Cause each day that passes by you got me
Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
This old heart darling, is weak for you.
I love you, yes, I do. Yes, I do.
I try hard to hide my hurt inside.
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin'
I try hard to hide my hurt inside
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin' the way you treat me,
Leaves me incomplete, you're here for the day, gone for the week, now
But if you leave me a hundred times
A hundred times I'll take you back.
I'm yours whenever you want me
I'm not too proud to shout it.
Tell the world about it 'cause I love you.
Yes I do. Yes, I do.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
The song "This Old Heart Of Mine" by Diana Ross & The Supremes is a heartbreaking ballad about a love that never seems to last. The lyrics describe a love that has been broken a thousand times, causing the singer to be constantly worried that the person they love will leave them once again. Despite this fear, the singer is still unable to resist their love and is willing to take them back no matter how many times they leave. The lyrics express the pain of trying to hide the hurt inside while still being unable to let go of the love they feel.
The repetition of the chorus line "This old heart darling, is weak for you," emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and shows the power that love can have over someone. The lyric "Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside," suggests that the singer has been hurt in the past by being too open with their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
This old heart of mine been broke a thousand times.
My heart has been shattered so many times before.
Each time you break away, I fear you've gone to stay.
Whenever you leave me, I worry that you'll never return.
Lonely nights that come, memories that flow, bringing you back again,
When I'm alone, I remember you and long for your presence.
Hurting me more and more.
These memories cause me more pain each time.
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside;
Perhaps it's my fault for revealing my love to you;
'Cause each day that passes by you got me
As each day goes by, I'm left wondering
Never knowing if I'm coming or going, but I, I love you.
Feeling confused and unsure, yet still loving you.
This old heart darling, is weak for you.
My heart is vulnerable when it comes to you.
I love you, yes, I do.
I truly do love you.
These old arms of mine miss having you around;
I long to have you in my arms again.
Makes these tears inside start a-falling down.
Thinking of you makes me cry.
I try hard to hide my hurt inside.
I attempt to conceal the pain I feel.
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin'
My heart frequently brings me to tears,
the way you treat me,
due to how you treat me.
Leaves me incomplete,
I feel incomplete without you.
you're here for the day, gone for the week, now
You come and go so unpredictably
But if you leave me a hundred times
Even if you leave me many times over,
A hundred times I'll take you back.
I will still take you back each time.
I'm yours whenever you want me
I am always willing to be with you.
I'm not too proud to shout it.
I am not afraid to express my love.
Tell the world about it 'cause I love you.
I want everyone to know how much I love you.
This old heart darling is weak for you.
My heart is weak for you and you alone.
I love you. This old heart darling is weak for you.
I love you and I am helpless to resist the power you hold over my heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, SYLVIA MOY, BRIAN HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Bradburger
Most of the cover version band tracks for 'Supremes A Go Go' were cut in L.A, most likely with members of the Wrecking Crew.
The vocal and other overdubs would be done in Detroit.
Motown's L.A office would often cut tracks out there as demos for the Jobete catalogue, but with the busy recording schedule in Detroit, it made sense to use what they could for album tracks.
(It's clear this is the source of confusion for some of the L.A musicians, who claim they played on Detroit recordings!)
Of course a fair few L.A cuts were chosen as A sides, such as 'More Love' by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and 'You've Made Me So Very Happy' by Brenda Holloway.
Look out for the new expanded 'Supremes A Go Go' due out soon from Universal.
Should have all the info you need to know about the 'A Go- Go' sessions.
@Vincent50
I love hearing Flo, Diana, and Mary. There's something about the magic the three of them embodied vocally.
@hapiebat
This is a great song for the Supremes, they had so many great songs that all couldn't be released as singles. Let's appreciate all the beautiful songs they gave us.
@EritreaDefines
Absolutely adore this sort of music. So humble and Beautiful<3
@JonnyFontaine84
Love it - best version of this song
@torayukitora
Diana Ross has an angelical voice and a doll face.
@AzzedineAliaFan
I agree, such a cute warm and inviting sound!!
@eleven57icare
nice version, i dig the way HDH compositions got bounced around from one Motown artist to another..
@coolsweetgroovy
The Supremes can sing anything
@proverbs1824
@SteveArpo I love this version of This Ol' Heart of Mine. This should have been a single for the girls. I love Mary and Flo's vocals. Like angels from heaven! Their vocals give grand support to Diana's weak delivery.
@hugoibanez8073
Muy buena versión de este tema, este tema estuvo en la banda sonora de una película, cuál es?