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.
You Can Depend on Me
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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As surely as you stand there
You're seeing her again
Don't say you haven't been there
It's in your eyes
There's no misunderstanding
I've seen that look before
Oh no my love,
Don't go my love
You know I how try to satisfy
You can't deny that I've been good to you
Can't you see
It's me who loves you babe
Can't you see
It's me who needs you babe
I'm the one you can always depend on
I'm the one who's always here
Does she give you something
That I just don't possess
Are my kisses not as sweet
Is she better than my best
I can't fight the shadow
Of some girl I never see
But her love is no greater
Than the love for you and me
Oh no my love
Don't go my love
Why can't I make you understand
I've got all the love you need
Can't you see
It's me who loves you babe
Can't you see
It's me who needs you babe
I'm the one
You can always depend on
I'm the one
Who's always here
Can't you see it's me
Oh baby
Can't you see it's me
Open up your eyes
Can't you see it's me
Oh baby
Can't you see me
You must be blind if you can't see
How much I love you babe
You must be blind if you can't see
How much I need you babe
Open up your eyes
Can't you see me
Oh baby
Can't you see
Can't you see me
In Diana Ross and the Supremes's song "Can't You See It's Me", the singer is expressing their concerns about their significant other cheating on them with another woman. The lyrics begin with the singer stating that they know where their partner has been and that they have been seeing the other woman again. The partner denies it, but the singer can see from the look in their eyes that it is true. This situation has happened before when the partner left the singer stranded.
The chorus of the song is a plea to the partner, asking them to realize that it is the singer who loves and needs them, and not the other woman. The singer reminds their partner that they have always been there for them and that they have provided the love and support that the partner needs. The singer questions whether the other woman possesses something that they don't, and whether their kisses are not as sweet as the other woman. However, despite the presence of the other woman, the singer believes that her love for the partner is not any less than the love of the other woman.
The song ends with the singer begging their partner to open their eyes and see that the singer is the one who loves and needs them. The singer tells their partner that they must be blind if they can't see how much the singer loves and needs them.
Line by Line Meaning
I know where you've been
I am aware of your unfaithful actions in the past
As surely as you stand there
Your current behavior gives you away
You're seeing her again
You are cheating on me with her once more
Don't say you haven't been there
I do not believe your denials
It's in your eyes
Your body language betrays you
There's no misunderstanding
I know what you are trying to say without you saying it explicitly
I've seen that look before
I recognize it from previous instances where you have been unfaithful
The last time you left me stranded
I was alone and hurt when you cheated on me previously
Oh no my love,
Expressing sadness about what is happening
Don't go my love
Begging the partner not to leave
You know I how try to satisfy
The efforts I make to please or satisfy you
You can't deny that I've been good to you
I have treated you with care and love in the past
Can't you see
I wish my partner could see things from my perspective
It's me who loves you babe
I am the one who truly loves you
Can't you see
I repeat my plea for understanding and recognition
It's me who needs you babe
I am the one who needs you in my life
I'm the one you can always depend on
I have been reliable and trustworthy in the past
I'm the one who's always here
I am always there for you when you need me
Does she give you something
Questions about the rival's value compared to mine
That I just don't possess
Doubting my abilities to satisfy the partner compared to the other woman
Are my kisses not as sweet
Worries that my affection is not enough to keep my partner faithful
Is she better than my best
Feeling inadequate in comparison to the rival
I can't fight the shadow
I cannot fight an imaginary or elusive enemy
Of some girl I never see
Referring to the rival's anonymity or impossibility to compete with
But her love is no greater
The other woman's love does not surpass mine
Than the love for you and me
Our love is unique and special, no matter what happens
Why can't I make you understand
Frustration with the partner's inability to grasp my feelings
I've got all the love you need
Conveying my love and affection for the partner
You must be blind if you can't see
Suggesting the partner is not seeing what is clear or obvious
How much I love you babe
Reaffirming my deep and sincere feelings
How much I need you babe
Acknowledging my dependency and attachment to the partner
Open up your eyes
Challenging the partner to face reality and our relationship
Can't you see me
The repeated demand for recognition, attention, and commitment
Oh baby
Expressing feelings of tenderness and care
Open up your eyes
Reiterating the need for my partner to see and acknowledge my love
Can't you see
Asking the partner to finally understand my emotions and concerns
Can't you see me
My identity as a person, a lover, and a committed partner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IVY HUNTER, IVY JO HUNTER, JACK GOGA, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind