Love Child
Ross Diana Lyrics


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Tenement slum
Ooh, ooh, ooh....aaaahhh

You think that I don't feel love
What I feel for you is real love
In other's eyes I see reflected
A hurt, scorned, rejected
Love child
Never meant to be
Love Child
Born in poverty
Love Child
Never meant to be
Love Child
Take a look at me

Started my life
In a old, cold, run-down tenement slum (tenement slum)
My father left he never even married mama
I shared the guilt my mama knew
So afraid that others knew I had no name

This love we're contemplatin'
Is worth the pain of waitin'
We'll only end up hatin'
The child we may be creatin'

Love Child
Never meant to be
Love Child
(Scorned by) Society
Love Child
Always second best
Love Child
(Different from) Different from the rest

(Hold on hold on just a little bit longer) Mmmmm baby
(Hold on hold on just a little bit longer) Mmmmm baby

I started school
In a worn, torn dress that somebody threw out
(Somebody threw out)
I knew the way it felt to always live in doubt
To be without the simple things
So afraid my friends would see the guilt in me

Don't think that I don't need ya
Don't think I don't want to please ya
But no child of mine will be bearing
The name of shame I've been wearing

Love Child
Love Child
Never quite as good
Afraid, ashamed
Misunderstood

But I'll always love you
Always love you





I'll always love you
Always love you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Love Child" by Diana Ross and The Supremes speak about a child who was born out of wedlock, and the struggles of growing up in poverty and feeling socially rejected. The singer acknowledges the hurt and rejection that they experienced from others because of their status as a love child, a child born out of wedlock. The singer describes their childhood in an old, rundown tenement slum, where they shared the guilt of their mother's situation, as their father left and never married her. The singer shares the struggles that they faced growing up, such as attending school in a worn, torn dress that someone else had thrown out, feeling ashamed and constantly living in doubt.


The singer describes their love for someone, but acknowledges the societal expectations and pressures around having a child out of wedlock. They contemplate the pain and hardship that their child may face, and society's perception of them as different and lesser than others. The singer wants their child to have a better life than they did, without the shame and guilt of being a love child. They express their desire to please and love their partner, but they cannot bear to have a child who might be rejected and hurt like they were. Ultimately, the singer affirms their love for their partner, despite societal expectations and limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

You think that I don't feel love
You believe that I am not capable of feeling love


What I feel for you is real love
I truly and genuinely love you


In other's eyes I see reflected a hurt, scorned, rejected
I can see the pain and rejection in the eyes of others as they look at us


Love child, never meant to be
I was born out of wedlock and was never meant to exist


Love child, born in poverty
I was born into a life of poverty


Love child, take a look at me
Despite my troubled origin, I am still a person worthy of love and respect


I started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum
My life began in a dilapidated and impoverished housing complex


My father left, he never even married Mom
My father abandoned my mother and I and we were never wed


I shared the guilt my mama knew
I felt the same shame and responsibility that my mother felt for being an unwed mother


So afraid that others knew I had no name
I was scared that my illegitimacy would be discovered and that I would be further ostracized


This love we're contemplating, is worth the pain of waiting
The love we have for each other makes the wait for acceptance and equality worth it


We'll only end up hating the child we may be creating
We fear we will only come to hate a child created out of wedlock, like me


Love child, by society
I am a love child, a result of societal expectations and pressures


Love child, always second best
Because of my birth, I will always be seen as inferior and unworthy


Love child, diff'rent from the rest
I am set apart from others because of my status as a love child


I started school in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out
I began my education wearing a ragged and discarded dress


I knew the way it was to always live in doubt
I was always unsure and worried about my place in society due to my illegitimate birth


To be without the simple things
I often lacked even the most basic necessities in life growing up in poverty


So afraid my friends could see the guilt in me
I was scared that my friends would judge me for my illegitimacy and the shame that came with it


Don't think that I don't need you
I need you more than anything


Don't think I don't want to please you
I care about your happiness and want to do what I can to bring you joy


No child of mine'll be bearing the name of shame I've been wearin'
I refuse to allow my own child to experience the same shame and ostracization that I have had to endure


Love child, never quite as good
I always feel inferior and not as good as others due to my illegitimate birth


Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood
I am constantly fearful and feel ashamed due to my status as a love child, and others often do not understand my plight


But I'll always love you
My love for you is unwavering


I'll always love you
I will never stop loving you


I'll always love you
My love for you will endure forever


I'll always love you
I will love you no matter what


I'll always love you
My love for you is infinite


I'll always love you
No matter what happens, I will love you


You, you, you
You are the one I love




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@levanmoore9588

This masterpiece knocked the Beatles all you need is love from the number 1 position

@TheShabazzProduction

They NEVER put out bad material, just soulful hit after hit!!!!!!!!

@marriedmistressgoddesstv

I remember watching my parents dancing to these songs. Didn't know back then just how priceless those memories would become. What I wouldn't give...enjoy your parents while they're here.

@Justaskkjames

None of their music was soulful. Stop with the lies!

@Justaskkjames

@Chris Bonilla Hernandez Foolish and delusional. Seek help babes.

@osimeon00

@Chris Bonilla Hernandez don't be mad because he told the truth. The Supremes were definitely not what black people would call soulful. They sung pop music and ballads mostly curated for white audiences. They had a few R&B soul hits like this one and "Someday" but they were few and far between. That doesn't take away from it's significance.

@chrisbonilla9950

@osimeon00 I donโ€™t agree with you at all .I am black so I know what I am talking about you .

20 More Replies...

@explorepikespeak

A message that didn't get heard. What a tragedy.

@TruOmilade

The lyrics are still relevant. Speaks to fear, doubt, and insecurity many of us face, especially regarding poverty.

@renarga6886

She was not the only one. How sad.

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