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.
Till Johnny Comes
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Till Johnny comes
He'll come one day, I know it
But he's having fun
He's out painting the world scarlet red
And he's left me alone to be blue
One day he'll come to take me away
Stay with me, baby
Please, stay
Till Johnny comes
Stay with me, baby
And hold me near
Just the way Johnny used to hold me
When he was here
'Cause when last he was here, we were kissing
And I thrilled to the way he spoke my name
When he thinks of the true love he's been missing
He'll be coming back to stake his claim
Stay with me, baby
Please, stay
Till Johnny comes
Since Johnny's been gone
You have dried all of the tears I have cried
Won't you stay here by my side
Till Johnny shows
And I'll tell Johnny he's come too late
Just how long did he think I would wait
And then stay with me forever
Won't you stay with me forever
After Johnny goes
Stay with me, baby
Forever and ever and ever and ever
Stay with me, baby
The song "Till Johnny Comes" by Diana Ross and the Supremes is a plea from the singer to her current partner to wait for her old love, Johnny, to come back. The lyrics suggest that the singer is still in love with Johnny and is just passing time in her current relationship until he returns. She knows that Johnny is out having fun and painting the world red, which makes her feel alone and blue. However, she is hopeful that he will come back to her and they will be together again someday. In the meantime, she asks her current partner to stay with her and hold her the way Johnny used to hold her. She promises to tell Johnny he's come too late if he does return, but also asks her current partner to stay with her forever.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing and waiting. The singer is torn between her old love and her current relationship, but ultimately hopes for a reconciliation with Johnny. The song is a testament to the power of true love and the willingness to wait for it, even if it takes a long time to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay with me, baby
Please don't leave me alone
Till Johnny comes
Stay until my lover returns
He'll come one day, I know it
I have faith in Johnny's return
But he's having fun
Johnny is enjoying himself, while I'm lonely
He's out painting the world scarlet red
Johnny is having an exciting, carefree time
And he's left me alone to be blue
Johnny has left me in a state of sadness
One day he'll come to take me away
I believe Johnny will rescue me from this loneliness
From this love I've been sharing with you
I need you to stay with me, but I'm longing for Johnny's return
And hold me near
I want to feel loved and comforted
Just the way Johnny used to hold me
Johnny's embrace was special to me
When he was here
I miss Johnny's presence
'Cause when last he was here, we were kissing
When we last saw each other, we were sharing intimate moments
And I thrilled to the way he spoke my name
I was delighted by Johnny's sweet words
When he thinks of the true love he's been missing
I know Johnny feels the same emptiness I'm feeling
He'll be coming back to stake his claim
Johnny will return to claim me as his own
Since Johnny's been gone
In Johnny's absence
You have dried all of the tears I have cried
You have been a source of comfort since Johnny left
Won't you stay here by my side
Please don't leave me alone
And I'll tell Johnny he's come too late
If Johnny comes back, I'll have already moved on
Just how long did he think I would wait
I won't wait forever for Johnny's return
And then stay with me forever
I want you to be with me forever
Forever and ever and ever and ever
I mean it, I want you to be with me forever
Stay with me, baby
Please don't leave me alone
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.