Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations is, as the title implies, a … Read Full Bio ↴Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations is, as the title implies, a collaborative album combining Motown's two best selling groups, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations. Issued by Motown in late 1968 to coincide with the broadcast of the Supremes/Temptations TCB television special, the album was a success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200. Originally the lead single was to have been "The Impossible Dream" as featured in the climax to the TV spectacular TCB. However, it was decided to release "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" as a single instead even though it wasn't featured on TCB. This became a number-two hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B singles chart, and the follow-up, "I'll Try Something New", was a Top 30 hit. A third single, "I Second That Emotion", was released exclusively in the United Kingdom, where it became a Top 20 hit.

Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations marks the first on-record appearance of new Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards, who was brought in as David Ruffin's replacement in July 1968.

All of the tracks on the album are covers of songs for other artists. Both "I Second That Emotion" and "I'll Try Something New" were originally recorded by Motown's Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, while "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was an outside hit for Dee Dee Warwick before it became a hit for the Supremes and Temptations. Motown's Marvin Gaye had previously had hits with "Try It Baby" and, as a duet with Tammi Terrell, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". "This Guy's in Love with You" was a hit for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass , while "Funky Broadway" had been recorded as a hit for Wilson Pickett. The Sweet Inspirations' signature song, "Sweet Inspirations", is also covered here, as is Stevie Wonder's "A Place in the Sun", The Four Tops' "Then", and the show tune "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha.

Frank Wilson served as executive producer of the project. Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, joint-recorded at both the main Hitsville USA studio in Detroit, Michigan, the Golden World studio in Detroit, and satellite studios in Los Angeles, primarily features leads by Diana Ross of the Supremes and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations, with additional leads by Temptations Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin.

Sing a Simple Song
Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last.
Let me hear you say ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Let me hear you say ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Sing a simple song, you gotta try a little

Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do, do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, oh yeah, oh yeah.
I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs (you too?)
I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns (me too!)
You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
A simple song will make it better for a little while.
Let me hear you say ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Let me hear you girls: yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm talking, talking, talking, talking
I'm walking, walking, walking, walking
I'm living, living, living, living
I'm giving love and so much love
Everybody sing together
Ya, ya, ya ya, ya, oooo

Let me hear you say ya, ya, ya ya, ya
Time for you ladies to do your thing.

Overall Meaning

The song Sing a Simple Song by Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations is about finding solace and comfort in a simple song, amidst the chaos and complexities of life. The lyrics talk about the passage of time, growing older, and the fast-paced nature of life. The singers express their need for a simple song that they can hold onto amidst all the changes happening around them. The chorus of the song encourages listeners to try a little and sing a simple song, using the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do scale as an example.

The singers also talk about the ups and downs of life, the importance of giving love and smiling through the frowns. They acknowledge that sometimes it's hard to smile and find happiness, but a simple song can make it better for a little while. The call and response style of singing in the song encourages listeners to join in and sing along, creating a sense of community and togetherness.

Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and positivity, encouraging listeners to find joy in simple things and not lose sight of what's truly important in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm

I'm talking, talking, talking, talking, talking, talking in my sleep
Constantly discussing thoughts and ideas, even subconsciously

I'm walking, walking, walking, walking, walking in the street
Going about daily life with determination and purpose

Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast
Feeling the urgency and speed of life as it progresses

All I have to hold on to is a simple song at last.
Finding comfort in the power of music to provide stability and joy

Let me hear you say ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya
Asking for participation and engagement

Sing a simple song, you gotta try a little
Encouraging others to embrace simple pleasures and enjoy life

Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
Referencing the musical scale and the power of music to bring people together

Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do, do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
Repeating the musical scale to emphasize the importance of music

Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, oh yeah, oh yeah.
Expressing excitement and enjoyment

I'm living, living, living life with all its ups and downs (you too?)
Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and connecting with listeners

I'm giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns (me too!)
Choosing to give love and positivity in spite of challenges, and finding commonality with others

You're in trouble when you find it's hard for you to smile
Acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining positivity in tough times

A simple song will make it better for a little while.
Affirming the power of music to provide temporary relief and happiness

Time for you ladies to do your thing.
Encouragement and empowerment for Diana Ross and the Supremes to perform with confidence and energy

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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