Founded in Detroit, Michigan, United States 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 the mid-1960s with Ross as the lead singer, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1967, and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. Ross left the group for a 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.
A Breathtaking Guy
The Supremes Lyrics
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And whispered in my ear all night
Sweet words, I never heard
And I believed every word
Next day you came my way
And not a word to say
You passed me by
My darlin', won't you tell me why
You're actin' strange toward me
Why have you changed toward me?
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul-shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy?
That night your love was true
The next day we were through
Your love won't come
And you were moving on
And I was left to cry alone
What have I done to you?
Was it just fun to you?
Are you just a breathtaking
First sight soul-shaking
One night love-making
Next day heartbreaking guy?
Breathtaking, soul-shaking,
Lovemaking, heartbreaking guy
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Breathtaking, soul-shaking
The Supremes’ A Breathtaking Guy depicts the painful experience of being with someone who is a “breathtaking guy” one moment, and then heartbroken the next. The song narrates a story of how the singer was swept off her feet with sweet words whispered in her ear all night by her darling. However, the next day, when they met again, her darling didn’t bat an eye and passed her by without even saying a word. She is confused as to why he is acting so strange and ask him why he is changing, but he doesn't provide any answer. The singer feels left heartbroken after the love affair ends, and she is left to wonder if she was just a one night love affair that meant nothing and was easily discarded.
The lyrics of the song reveal the emotional roller coaster that women go through with an unpredictable partner—the highs and lows of love, the passion, heartache, and ensuing confusion. The song puts into words the frustrations that come with loving an elusive person who is more interested in love and leaving. The up-tempo Motown beat of the song contrasts with the turmoil of the story, adding an explosive musical backdrop that highlights the singer's pain.
Line by Line Meaning
One night you held me tight
You once held me closely, as if you loved me.
And whispered in my ear all night
You whispered sweet words to me all night.
Sweet words, I never heard
You said sweet things to me that I have never heard before.
And I believed every word
I trusted you and believed every word you said.
Next day you came my way
The next day, you appeared before me.
And not a word to say
You didn't say anything to me.
You passed me by
You walked straight past me.
You didn't bat an eye
You didn't even look at me in the eye.
My darlin', won't you tell me why
My love, please tell me what's wrong.
You're actin' strange toward me
You're acting weird around me.
Why have you changed toward me?
Why have you changed your feelings towards me?
That night your love was true
On the night you held me close, your love felt honest and true.
The next day we were through
The following day, our relationship ended.
Your love won't come
You stopped loving me.
And you were moving on
You were moving on with your life without me.
And I was left to cry alone
I was alone, crying because of you.
What have I done to you?
What did I do to deserve this?
Was it just fun to you?
Did our relationship mean nothing to you?
Are you just a breathtaking, first sight soul-shaking, one night love-making, next day heartbreaking guy?
Are you just the type of man that appears charming at first, but ultimately causes heartbreak?
Breathtaking, soul-shaking, lovin', heartbreaking guy
You are the type of person who is captivating, intense, loving, but ultimately causing heartbreak.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind