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 Gave Me Love )
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
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And life was filled with emptiness
You gave me love
A tender love to take the loneliness away
Oh, happy days
That lifted darkness from my eyes
And made me see
A special love
Just your touch
I feel such joy and ecstasy
Life is gay
Instead of pity and sympathy
You gave me love
Wonderful love
Sweet, sweet love
Like a child
I was helpless and alone
And so I cried
But you came and held me close
And dried my eyes
I'm satisfied
I feel content to know the
Heavens made you mine
'Cause here on earth
I never thought that I could find
Such a tender love
Like a toy
I just sat there on the shelf
Till the day that you came
To take me for yourself
And gave me love
Wonderful love
Thank you darling
Thank you honey
You gave me love
Bless the name
That I took with no regrets
For the years have come and gone
It's just like when first we've met
You gave me love
Wonderful love
Sweet, sweet love
I bless the day you came my way
You gave me love
Thank you baby
Bless you honey
Sweet baby
Wonderful love
Tender love
I'm satisfied yeah
I'm satisfied yeah
The lyrics of Diana Ross and the Supremes's song You Gave Me Love is a beautiful expression of the gratitude felt towards a partner who has brought light into the darkness of one's life. The lyrics speak of a time when the singer was down and engulfed in emptiness. In this bleak moment, the partner stepped in with a tender and loving presence that chased away the loneliness. The singer expresses their gratitude for the arrival of this special love, which has brought joy and ecstasy to their life.
The lyrics describe the transformation that this relationship has brought. The previously helpless and alone narrator now feels satisfied and content with the heavens having made their partner theirs. The lyrics express shock that such a tender love could be found on earth as if the singer had given up hope of ever finding it. The partner is thanked for taking the singer from the shelf, as if they had been waiting for this person to come and give them unconditional love. The song is a declaration of the satisfaction and happiness that the singer now feels because of the loving presence of their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was down
During a period of sadness
And life was filled with emptiness
And feeling of void and meaningless
You gave me love
You showed me care and affection
A tender love to take the loneliness away
A gentle love that eliminated my loneliness and sadness
Oh, happy days
Feeling of joy and delight
That lifted darkness from my eyes
That removed the feeling of gloom and despair
And made me see
And allowed me to realize
The dawn of happiness arrive and bring to me
The beginning of happiness came to me
A special love
A love that was unique and significant
Just your touch
Simply your physical contact
I feel such joy and ecstasy
I experience immense happiness and excitement
Life is gay
Life is cheerful and happy
Instead of pity and sympathy
Rather than sadness and sorrow
You gave me love
You showed me care and affection
Wonderful love
Love that was great and amazing
Sweet, sweet love
Love that was kind and affectionate
Like a child
Similar to a young person
I was helpless and alone
Feeling of powerlessness and isolation
And so I cried
And therefore I wept
But you came and held me close
But you came and comforted me
And dried my eyes
And stopped my tears
I'm satisfied
I am content
I feel content to know the
I am happy to realize
Heavens made you mine
Fate brought us together
'Cause here on earth
Because in this world
I never thought that I could find
I never believed I could discover
Such a tender love
A love that was gentle and affectionate
Like a toy
Comparable to an object used for amusement
I just sat there on the shelf
I remained unused
Till the day that you came
Until the day that you arrived
To take me for yourself
To make me your own
Wonderful love
Love that was great and amazing
Thank you darling
Expressing gratitude to a loved one
Thank you honey
Expressing gratitude to a loved one
Bless the name
Honoring someone's name
That I took with no regrets
That I chose without hesitation
For the years have come and gone
For the time has passed
It's just like when first we've met
It's like when we first met
Thank you baby
Expressing gratitude to a loved one
Bless you honey
Honoring a loved one
Sweet baby
Affectionate term for a loved one
Tender love
A love that was gentle and affectionate
I'm satisfied yeah
I am content
I'm satisfied yeah
I am content
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SR., HARVEY FUQUA, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, MARVIN EARL JOHNSON, MARVIN EARL, SR. JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind