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.
Your Heart Belongs to Me
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gone to a faraway land
Serving your country
On some faraway sand
But you should get no name
Remember that your heart belongs to me
I'm sending you a picture
So when you're feeling lonely
It's something to remind you
I'm thinking of you constantly
Remember that your hearts belongs to me
Your heart belongs to me
If a pretty girl should pass you by
I won't mind
If you give her the eye
Or even if you give her a smile sometimes
But keep your heart
Because your heart is mine
Your heart is mine
Your heart is mine
Lover of mine
If I could tell you how I yearn
For the day to come
When you will return
From far across the sea
So remember that your heart belongs to me
Remember your heart belongs to me
Far across the sea
The lyrics of "Your Heart Belongs to Me" by Diana Ross and the Supremes is a plea for loyalty from a lover who is serving their country far away. The song expresses longing and vulnerability as the singer reminds their beloved that despite the distance and the passing time, their heart still belongs to them. The chorus, "remember that your heart belongs to me," is a powerful statement of ownership and commitment in the face of the uncertainty of war and the temporary separation.
The verses focus on the specific situation of the singer's partner, who is stationed on a faraway land. The singer acknowledges the possibility of other women catching their attention but also asks the lover to keep their heart, emphasizing the strength of their emotional connection. The closing verse highlights the singer's anticipation of the loved one's return, revealing the depth of their investment in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Your Heart Belongs to Me" convey a sense of devotion and sacrifice, capturing the situation of many couples affected by military service during the 1960s, when the song was written and released.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover of mine
My dear partner
Gone to a faraway land
You've traveled to a distant place
Serving your country
You're performing your duty towards your nation
On some faraway sand
On foreign soil
But you should get no name
It doesn't matter if you're recognized or not
Remember that your heart belongs to me
Don't forget that you're committed to me
I'm sending you a picture
I'm giving you a visual reminder
To carry with you all the time
To keep with yourself every moment
So when you're feeling lonely
In times of solitude
It's something to remind you
It's a cue to help you recollect
I'm thinking of you constantly
I'm always recalling you
Your heart belongs to me
Your feelings are with me
If a pretty girl should pass you by
If a beautiful lady walks near you
I won't mind
It's alright with me
If you give her the eye
If you glance at her admirably
Or even if you give her a smile sometimes
Or even if you smile at her occasionally
But keep your heart
Keep your sentiment with you
Because your heart is mine
Your emotions belong to me
Lover of mine
My dear partner
If I could tell you how I yearn
If only I could express how much I long
For the day to come
For the occasion of your return
When you will return
When you come back to me
From far across the sea
From a distant land across the ocean
So remember that your heart belongs to me
Keep in mind that you're committed to me
Remember your heart belongs to me
Don't forget that you're devoted to me
Far across the sea
From a distant land across the ocean
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahgilliam3026
I wish that I could have
Been raised in them
Wonderful day's, but
My mom was and she
Had me in 1965 thanks
Mom!!!!
@ceeceetracey9839
Listen to Flo on the background saying "Mine" starting at about 1:37. WOW!!!
@boomerang905
She was the EXPERT backup.
@diorgasmask
This is my favorite song from the Supremes. Definitely one of my favorite songs of all time.
@DetroitLives313
The good ole days when you had to have real talent. Listen to the purity of the vocals, those exquisite harmonies......whew!
@walterbower2699
no voice machines
@general5886
smokey is one of the cleverest songwriters of all time...
@1Shao_
I haven’t stopped playing it since I found it
@vernonsmith6176
This is an early smokey tune...nice.
@MotownConnoisseur30
Recorded: December 8, 1961 The last single by The Supremes as a quartet.