Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco. They were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and are, to date, America's most successful vocal group[1] with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] Most of these hits were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. At their peak in the mid-1960s, The Supremes rivaled The Beatles in worldwide popularity,[2] and their success made it possible for future African American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success.[2]
Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglass public housing project in Detroit,[3] formed The Primettes as the sister act to The Primes (with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, who went on to form The Temptations).[3] Barbara Martin replaced McGlown in 1960, and the group signed with Motown the following year as The Supremes. Martin left the act in early 1962, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson carried on as a trio.
During the mid-1960s, The Supremes achieved mainstream success with Ross as lead singer. In 1967, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & the Supremes, and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. Ross left to pursue a solo career in 1970 and was replaced by Jean Terrell, at which point the group's name reverted to The Supremes. After 1972, the lineup changed more frequently; Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene all became members of the group during the mid-1970s. The Supremes disbanded in 1977 after an 18-year run.
I'm Still Waiting
The Ladies Of The Supremes Lyrics
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I was five and you were ten, boy
You knew that I was shy
So you teased and made me cry
But I loved you
Then one day you came
You told me you were leaving
And made me cry again
When you said
Little girl
Please don't wait for me
Wait patiently for love
Someday will surely come
Ooh, little girl
Please don't wait for me
Wait patiently for love
Someday will surely come
And I'm still waiting
I'm waiting
Ooh, still waiting
I'm just a fool
Ooh, I'm a fool
To keep waiting
Then someone finally came
He told me that he loved me
I put him off with lies
He could see I had no eyes
So he left me once again alone
Like a child without her playmate
I had to face the truth
I was still in love with you
But you said:
Little girl
Please don't wait for me
Wait patiently for love
Someday will surely come
Ooh, little girl
Please don't wait for me
Wait patiently for love
Someday will surely come
And I'm still waiting
Love has never shown his face
Since the day you walked out that door
You filled my life with empty space
Come back
Can't you see it's you I'm waiting for
Don't you know I'm waiting
I'm waiting for love
For you, I miss you
I'm waiting
Come on back, boy
I need you
I want you
That's what my friends says
The lyrics to The Ladies Of The Supremes's song "I'm Still Waiting" tell a poignant story of unrequited love and longing. The singer recalls memories from childhood, where they had a crush on an older boy who teased and made them cry, yet the singer still harbored affection for him. The boy eventually left, asking the singer not to wait for him and to be patient for love to come in the future. Despite his departure, the singer is still waiting for him.
As time goes on, another person expresses their love for the singer, but they reject him with lies because their heart still belongs to the boy who left. It becomes clear that the singer is unable to move on from this unrequited love, feeling like a child without a playmate and facing the truth that they are still in love with the boy who said he wouldn't return.
The singer continues to wait for the boy who left, expressing how love has not appeared in their life since he departed and left an empty space. They plead for him to come back, unable to let go of the hope that he may return and fill the void in their heart. The repetition of "I'm waiting" emphasizes the depth of the singer's longing and yearning for the boy they have never fully let go of.
The final plea for the boy to return showcases the singer's vulnerability and desperation for closure. They express how much they miss him and need him, despite the advice of friends to move on. The emotional intensity of the lyrics conveys the enduring impact of unreciprocated love and the struggle to let go of someone who still holds a significant place in the singer's heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind