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.
What Becomes of the Broken Hea
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have visions of many things.
Love's happiness is just an illusion filled with sadness and confusion.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
Maybe, the fruits of love grow all around
but for me they come a tumblin' down.
I can't stand this pain much longer.
I walk in shadows, searching for light,
cold and alone, no comfort in sight.
Hoping and prayin' for
Someone to care, always movin' and goin' nowhere.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
Maybe, I'm searching though I don't succeed,
but someone look, there's a growing need.
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning;
all that's left is an unhappy ending.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care.
I'll be looking ev'ry day;
I know I'm gonna find a way.
Nothing's gonna stop me now;
I'll find a way some how.
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care.
I'll be looking ev'ry day;
I know I'm gonna find a way.
Nothing's gonna stop me now;
I'll find a way some how.
The lyrics to Diana Ross and the Supremes' song "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" paint a portrait of a person who is searching for some kind of hope after experiencing heartbreak. The first verse speaks to the idea that the person is haunted by the specter of past love - they are constantly reminded of what has been lost, and the feeling of happiness is just out of reach. The chorus asks the question "What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?" This question is not so much answered as it is repeated throughout the song - it is an open-ended, rhetorical question whose answer is left to the listener's interpretation. The singer knows that they need to find some kind of peace of mind, but they are not sure how to go about doing that.
The second verse describes how the singer feels like they are surrounded by love, but none of it is for them. They feel like they are constantly met with disappointment and heartache, and that they will never find what they are looking for. They are walking in shadows, searching for light, and they feel cold and alone. They are hoping and praying for someone to care, but they always end up moving and going nowhere. The final verse continues this theme of searching and hoping, but it also introduces an element of determination - the singer says that they will be searching everywhere and looking every day until they find someone to care. They are determined to not let anything stop them now, and they know that they will find a way somehow.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk this land with broken dreams
I am walking through life with unfulfilled hopes and desires.
I have visions of many things.
I imagine a future with endless possibilities.
Love's happiness is just an illusion filled with sadness and confusion.
The happiness that comes with love is often not real, and instead comes with sadness and confusion.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
What happens to those who have lost love and are now heartbroken?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
I understand that I need to find a way to be at ease with myself.
Maybe, the fruits of love grow all around
Perhaps, the opportunities to find love are everywhere.
but for me they come a tumblin' down.
But for me, these opportunities always seem to fail.
Ev'ry day heartaches grow a little stronger;
Every day, my emotional pain increases.
I can't stand this pain much longer.
I cannot tolerate this suffering for much longer.
I walk in shadows, searching for light,
I feel lost and hopeless, looking for a way out.
cold and alone, no comfort in sight.
I am isolated and unsupported.
Hoping and prayin' for Someone to care, always movin' and goin' nowhere.
I am desperate for someone to show concern, though I feel stuck and directionless.
Maybe, I'm searching though I don't succeed,
Perhaps I am searching for love, but it continues to elude me.
but someone look, there's a growing need.
But there is a growing desire for someone to fulfill this need.
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning;
This person is lost and there seems to be no way to start anew.
all that's left is an unhappy ending.
The only thing that remains is a sad conclusion.
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care.
I will search everywhere to find someone who cares for me.
I'll be looking ev'ry day;
I will continue to search every day.
I know I'm gonna find a way.
I am optimistic that I will find a solution to my problems.
Nothing's gonna stop me now;
I am determined to overcome any obstacle.
I'll find a way some how.
I will eventually figure out a way to succeed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Anthony Dean, Paul Riser, William Henry Witherspoonn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stella Ercolani
Beautifully done.
Jamel De Chari
Listening to ageless music keeps the heart, body, mind and soul young. I'm a product of the truth in what type of music that I listen to. I love you Jen De Chari
Annette Rome
Diana JAMMED this one!
Micaï. Claude.
Fabulous Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Wayne Brasler
This was the original recording of the song, with the original spoken introduction. Recorded in 1966, then withheld until the "Let the Sunshine" album in 1969 (and that originally was titled "No Matter What Sign You Are" and posters of that cover were sent to record shops). Background vocals by Supremes with later dubbing by the Andantes to give a little fuller sound, which was usual Motown practice by then.
Anthony Barbary
Wait a minute,Overrated! Come on. Diana has a sweet soft sensual SPECIAL voice. Why did she have More No.1 than any other female in HISTORY!(Including the Supremes No.1's) Because the MASSES appreciated it. No she won't Blow you away with her pipes but the voice was captivating. Too many people get too personal with the artist personal life and associate it with the talent. Maybe you aren't but don't apply for a record executive position because your taste in talent will have you starving!
Stella Ercolani
This song makes me cry.
miss birdsong
Though not many singles included Cindy and Mary after Flo left, there are records where Cindy is singing; Stormy is one. There are several others. I do not think any singles with Cindy were released other than those with the Temptations.
MotownConnoisseur30
It was released in 1969, however it was recorded in 1966 when Florence was still with the group.
BriNic317
MotownConnoisseur30 it was recorded 2 or 3 times first wit flo then with Cindy