Referred to by music journalist Richie Unterberger as "one of rock's greatest tragedies"[1], Ballard was replaced as lead singer of the Supremes by her bandmate Diana Ross, who was felt to have more crossover appeal than Ballard. After a series of depressions and problems with performance, Ballard was dropped from the Supremes in mid-1967 and replaced with Cindy Birdsong. Ballard attempted a solo career, which was unsuccessful, and the singer spent much of the later parts of her life in poverty before dying in 1976 at the age of thirty-two.
Buttered Popcorn
Florence Ballard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He likes it greasy
And sticky
And gooey
And salty
I said what do you like
He says you know what I like
I like buttered popcorn
He took me to a show
He said he wanted some more
I said kiss me please
He said after I eat
I said what do you like
He says you know what I like
I like buttered popcorn
For breakfast, lunch and a dinner too
He eats buttered popcorn
Well it worries me so
I don't know what to do
When I asked him what was happenin' in the world today
He said more butter, more butter, more butter, more
My baby likes buttered popcorn
He likes it greasy
And sticky
And gooey
And salty
I said what do you like
He says you know what I like
I like buttered popcorn
For breakfast, lunch and a dinner too
He eats buttered popcorn
Well it worries me so
I don't know what to do
When I asked him
What was happenin' in the world today
He said more butter, more butter, more butter, more
My baby likes buttered popcorn
He likes it greasy
And sticky
And gooey
And salty
I said what do you like
He says you know what I like
I like buttered popcorn
The lyrics of Florence Ballard's song "Buttered Popcorn" speak about the love of her baby for buttered popcorn. She describes his passionate love for popcorn as he likes it greasy, sticky, gooey, and salty. The chorus of the song repeats the words "I like buttered popcorn," which has become the most memorable aspect of the song.
In the second verse, Florence narrates how her baby took her to a show, and when she asked him to kiss her, he said that he preferred eating popcorn first. The third verse shows the extent of his love for popcorn as he eats it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which worries Florence. When she asks him about what is happening in the world today, he replies with the words "more butter, more butter, more butter, more." This repetition strengthens the idea that his love for popcorn is consuming him.
The lyrics indicate an obsession that is beginning to shift from something harmless to something that may be worrying. The lyrics showcase how people can become so consumed with something that it becomes an issue for their relationships and can distract them from the real world. It may be a metaphor for how young people lose sight of what's important and fall in love with something trendy or addictive.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby likes buttered popcorn
My partner enjoys consuming buttered popcorn
He likes it greasy
My partner enjoys when the popcorn is oily
And sticky
My partner likes when the popcorn is sticky to the touch
And gooey
My partner enjoys the popcorn when it has a gooey texture
And salty
My partner prefers when the popcorn has a salty taste
I said what do you like
I asked my partner what he likes
He says you know what I like
My partner is implying that I already know his preferences when it comes to popcorn
I like buttered popcorn
My partner's favorite flavor of popcorn is buttered
He took me to a show
My partner invited me to see a movie with him
He said he wanted some more
My partner told me he wanted more popcorn
I said kiss me please
I asked my partner for a kiss
He said after I eat
My partner said he would kiss me after he finished eating his popcorn
For breakfast, lunch and a dinner too
My partner eats buttered popcorn for every meal
Well it worries me so
I am concerned about my partner's excessive consumption of popcorn
I don't know what to do
I am unsure about how to address my partner's popcorn addiction
When I asked him what was happenin' in the world today
I inquired about current world events
He said more butter, more butter, more butter, more
My partner is only focused on consuming more buttered popcorn and is not interested in discussing anything else
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARNEY ALES, BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LeimertDreamer
They just played this song on the Masked Singer TV show!!! See, Flo! People have not forgotten about you or your magnificent voice!
@jamesbowen8960
I'm a white man, and I must admit my undying love for Florence Ballard. I love me some Florence Ballard! What a gorgeous woman she was,and she could sing as well as anyone! Love you forever , Florence!❤️❤️❤️
@philipnesbitt3334
Totally agree.
@linw8483
Agreed.
@donkeyboy28
Why is it relevant that you are a white man???
@mimidudley2058
Excellent song from Ms. Florence Ballard. Rip queen.
@freddieking2478
GREAT SONG
@davidrosemale3573
Good to hear Flo on lead.
@ptownfreddy
Shocked and delighted by this raunchy little riff. Florence not only has a wonderful voice — her giggling acting chops put the song over. She knows she’s in charge of her man!
@Blatino
Her chorus laughs are so infectious! This is great!!