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.
Who Can I Turn To
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When nobody needs me
My heart wants to know
So I must go
Where destiny leads me
With no star to guide me
And no one beside me
And after the day
The darkness will hide me
But maybe tomorrow
I'll find what I'm after
I'll throw off my sorrow
Beg, steal or borrow
My share of laughter
'Cause with you I could learn to
With you on a new day
But who can I turn to
If you turn away
With you I could learn to
With you on a new day
But who can I turn to
If you turn away
The lyrics to Diana Ross and the Supremes's song "Who Can I Turn To" describe the feeling of loneliness and uncertainty that comes with not having anyone to turn to. The singer is feeling lost and doesn't know where to go or what to do in life. She is searching for someone to guide her and give her a sense of purpose.
The first verse sets the tone of the song, with the singer asking the question, "Who can I turn to when nobody needs me?" This expresses the feeling of being unwanted and unimportant. She then says that she must follow her destiny, even though she doesn't know where it will lead her. The second verse talks about how she has no one to guide her and no one by her side, but she must keep moving forward. The lyrics are filled with a deep sense of sadness, but the hope for a better tomorrow echoes in the final lines.
The chorus is a plea to the person she loves, asking for their support and guidance. She wants to learn with them, but if they turn away, she will be lost again.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the human need for love and companionship, and the fear that comes with not having it.
Line by Line Meaning
Who can I turn to
Who can be my source of support and guidance
When nobody needs me
In times of loneliness and desperation
My heart wants to know
I am seeking an answer to my question internally
So I must go
I must take action to find this answer
Where destiny leads me
I must follow my path and trust that it will bring me where I need to go
With no star to guide me
Without clear direction or guidance
And no one beside me
Feeling alone and unsupported
I'll go on my way
I will continue down my path despite the challenges
And after the day
After the difficult times have passed
The darkness will hide me
The pain or sadness I feel will be concealed from others
But maybe tomorrow
Perhaps in the future
I'll find what I'm after
I will discover what I have been seeking
I'll throw off my sorrow
I will let go of my pain
Beg, steal, or borrow
I will do whatever it takes
My share of laughter
To find happiness and joy in life
'Cause with you I could learn to
I believe I can grow and learn with someone's support
With you on a new day
In a new beginning or chapter together
But who can I turn to
However, if that person leaves or is not there for me
If you turn away
I will still be alone and searching for a source of support
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kick Rocks
The Bluebelles did a banging recording.
BriNic317
I don't care for Diana Ross....Florence Ballard is my girl and im all about her, but Diana has a handful of songs where she kills it and this is one of them. one of my favorites.
Monila Ninetynine
I agree that Diana kills this.