The Supremes were a very successful Motown all-female singing group active … Read Full Bio ↴The Supremes were a very successful Motown all-female singing group active from 1959 until 1977, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway showtunes, psychedelia, and disco. One of Motown's signature acts, The Supremes were the most successful African-American musical act of the 1960s, recording twelve #1 hits between 1964 and 1969, many of them written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. The crossover success of the Supremes during the mid-1960s paved the way for future black soul and R&B acts to gain mainstream audiences both in the United States and overseas.

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.

Automatically Sunshine
The Supremes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh baby let's take life's highway
It's automatically yours
And my way no road is too rough to travel
We'll walk barefoot on life's gravel together
Whatever we express now
Automatically means success now
Whatever mystery life's about
There's no doubt we'll work it out

Cause you're mine and I'm yours
So who cares if when it rains it pours
I'm yours and you're mine
It's automatically sunshine
Oh baby, baby
Ooh baby until you find you automatically
I'm behind you so do your thing and always know
Where you go I'm gonna follow
Don't you worry when you're set back
Home you'll hurry and then you'll get back

All the courage my love can give
For all our lives long as we give

Overall Meaning

each other tenderness
The Supremes' song "Automatically Sunshine" is a message of reassurance and love between two people. The lyrics depict a couple taking on the unknown journey of life together while showing how their love is strong enough to overcome any challenge. The song is full of encouraging words about walking barefoot on life's gravel and facing the mystery of life together. The chorus emphasizes the positive aspects of their love, promising "it's automatically sunshine" no matter the weather.

Through the verses, it is clear that the lyrics are meant to be sung by a woman to her partner. She promises to follow him wherever he goes, offering her support even when they are apart. The message is that the couple may face challenges, but as long as they have each other, they will always have sunshine in their lives. The song is unique in its uplifting message and the positive tone that runs throughout the chorus and verses.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh baby let's take life's highway
Let's journey through life together

It's automatically yours
We belong together

And my way no road is too rough to travel
We can overcome any obstacle no matter how difficult

We'll walk barefoot on life's gravel together
We'll share life's challenges together

Whatever we express now
Our words have power

Automatically means success now
Our communication leads to success

Whatever mystery life's about
Life may be uncertain

There's no doubt we'll work it out
We'll find the answers together

Cause you're mine and I'm yours
We belong to each other

So who cares if when it rains it pours
We can weather any storm

I'm yours and you're mine
We're committed to each other

It's automatically sunshine
Our love brings happiness

Oh baby, baby
An expression of affection

Ooh baby until you find you automatically
I'll support you in your personal goals

I'm behind you so do your thing and always know
I'll always be there for you

Where you go I'm gonna follow
I'll stand by your side

Don't you worry when you're set back
I'll help you bounce back from setbacks

Home you'll hurry and then you'll get back
You'll always have a place to return to

All the courage my love can give
I'll support you with all my strength

For all our lives long as we give
We'll always be there for each other

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Automatically Sunshine

The Supremes

02Floy Joy2:32

03This Is The Story3:10

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Comments from YouTube:

Brad Richardson

3y↑14

RIP Mary Wilson. The only Supreme who was there from beginning to end. You were fantastic!

Johann74 Knape

8y↑49

Love all the post-1970 Supremes hits. Really sad that they never received the acclaim of the Diana Ross era as the music and vocals were still wonderful ... and sometimes even better ...

drowsy

5y↑1

Johann74 Knape lol “better” good not better

poohbear9174

4y↑6

No..BETTER!!

Frantisek Slaninka

2y↑2

much better

Stanfield Best

36w

Mary was always my favourite Supreme, I was fortunate to see them live in the 70’s at the Odeon Streatham with Jean as lead. I will alway cherish that moment. Great Group, great music from the start with Diana until the end. RIP Mary.

Karan Seeney

3y↑7

1 of my all time favourite songs, love it.

DetroitLives313

10y↑26

Loved this record from the moment I first heard it way back in the 70s. The Supremes at their best indeed!

Graham Shepherd

6y↑7

Jean was the best lead of the Supremes all time, in terms of voice, stage personality and her relationship to her singing partners!

ian mclean

Are you "Spaced Out"? Jean who?

TWTR4EVER

5y↑5

@ian mclean MS JEAN TERRELL vocals ran circles on Diane"Alvin from The Chipmunks"Ross :-)

Brad Richardson

Jean and Mary share the lead vocals on this one. Mary was no slouch either.

Steven Kerry

She had such stage charisma. Love her.

Terrance Berrie

This is exactly why they couldn’t sell records

Lewis Carey

4y↑3

Harmony at the end! Pure Supremes!! M J C👍👍👍

OneCharming Bastard

13y↑2

Apparently growing up in Chicago had its advantages - this was a top 10 hit the summer of '72, I remember it fondly - in fact, I think it was one of the first non-Diana Supremes 45s I owned. Now I have great love and reverence for them all, and if I can't have Diana, Mary & Cindy back for a tour, I'd be happy with Jean, Mary & Cindy.

Rafael Soto

3y↑1

Grandes , las escucho de niño ,las adoro vivan por siempre

John Golofit

3y↑3

As 11th grade was ending for me tons of great music was there to listen to. This is one of those great songs from the late Spring/early Summer of 1972 where the post Ross Supremes proved they could definitely ‘cut it’. Smooth and sexy. Unforgettable time period.

mnmcv1

14y↑2

this is really a great song,...for ANY Supremes incarnation...I'm shocked it wasn't a bigger hit in the US...interestingly, this was their final Top 10 hit in the UK...

Kevin White

6y↑20

Yet in the UK this was a top ten hit, promoted without prejudice.

Derek Atkins

3y↑2

Great to hear again from no other than this famous group The new line up when Diana left the group went on to provide us with more hits like this. Brilliant.

charmain lazine

13y↑2

the girls knocked this one the hell out of the ballpark, I had so may good times in my life on songs of this genre, saw them whenever I could, what a show 'Stoned Love', Im Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking'', Nathan Jones, Floy Joy' Your My Driving Wheel' Jean, Susaye, Mary, Cindy, Lynda, & the little lady with the big voice Scherrie kept the legacy going in style.

TWTR4EVER

10y↑30

THE SUPREMES shared lead (Mary Wilson & Jean Terrell) on "Automatically Sunshine" from the "Floy Joy" Music Album/CD is sultry, exuberant and enticing, I remember that summer clearly!

rameller1

13y↑4

This is such an endearing song and The Supremes sound SUPERB!

TWTR4EVER

10y↑15

AUTOMATICALLY SUNSHINE is from the Smoky Robinson produced Album/CD "Floy Joy" on which Jean Terrell & Mary Wilson share lead. Each and every song is a gem and a treasure in everyone's music collection!

KENESTO'S HAVEN

15y↑3

Hey!So glad you enjoy it and certainly a pleasure to bring it to you!This trio was quite a formula that made great music together.Teamwork! And you're welcome!

DetroitLives313

4y↑2

These are my ladies here! Mary and Jean killed it!

Chris Williamson

14y↑3

Much of this information is in Mary Wilson's two biographies, "Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme" from 1986, and "Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together" from 1990 - the first book covers her time with the Supremes from its inception to Diana Ross' departure, and the second book covers her time with the new Supremes to their disbandment - both books are worth reading if you get a chance!

Skygazer

7y↑2

Still a great song even today

moo goo guy pan

3y↑1

One of the few great records they made in the 70s.

TWTR4EVER

12y↑7

THE SUPREMES (1970'S lineup her is Mary Wilson, Jean Terrell, Cindy Birdsong) in this period were at their most vocally dynamic & diversified period of their tenure, Jean Terrell brought a new refresh sound and presence to the female trio that if Motown / Berry Gordy's priority wouldn't have been on the Diane Ross that needed them to be slowly laid to rest in order to Diane Ross thrive as a "solo" a fan base divided would have sunken both acts! Diane Ross AIN'T ALL THAT!

Hubert Lane-Nicholson

5y↑9

I love this song, and I first heard it when it was used to accompany a television commercial for Percil Automatic washing powder (sometime in the late 80s).

Aleksandr Pushkin

5y↑3

Most enjoyable song ever written and performed.

wildsmiley

15y↑1

REEAALLY bad ass song. I'm DYING to get that 3 cd set you have pictured in the video. I got a taste and man I want more.

Geoffrey Pearson

5y↑3

Wow never heard this track before, sounds as good as it was when first cut with the 60s sounds.Who needs anything else.

Jan Briggs

3y↑2

THERE WAS SO MUCH TALENT AND BEAUTY....HOW ON EARTH DID THE TOLERATE EACH OTHER ??? GUESS IT WAS. JUST. L O V E !!!

garry mattson

7y↑10

i love this song

Martin Worthington

2y↑1

One of their very best

Kenneth Robert

7y↑2

love this song,top 40 hit

Richard John Rimell

1y↑1

One of Smokey Robinson's finest I love music of this era r.i.p Mary Wilson x

resistor 27 rutter

6y↑3

I remember this song from when I was a kid. Never knew it was the Supremes!

Calvin375

13y↑2

@TWTR4EVER the difference in the original Supremes and the Supremes of 1967 (DMC). There was a different dynamic in presence and vocal abilities. Where Flo and Mary were BUBBLY and OUTGOING and vocally they stood out even in the backgound. You can hear the strong vocal agility of Flo's beautiful 1st soprano. You also can hear both ladies over Diane in the video clips of "Nothing But Heartaches", "Help Me Mama" and they even come out strong on "Somewhere". They were a REAL group. Whereas...

KENESTO'S HAVEN

15y↑1

A most dynamic Dreamgirl-chemistry at work in this song,and Smokey Robinson wrote good material for The Supremes.Thank you!

Neil Dougal

10y↑29

The Supremes coolest tune.

Heather Ferreira

9y↑5

Cindy's voice is mad cool and laid back here. Gotta agree witcha!

Robert Withers

5y↑1

I agree totally....an unforgettable, wonderful song from my favourite era of popular music.

wilsord11

Groovy is the word!😁

Teresa Torres

6y↑16

This sound is satin smooth.

Walter Bell

3y↑1

Love your name sugga.

Teresa Torres

@Walter Bell right back at you handsome.

Scien Techie

6y↑2

God bless whom ever wrote this song and the Supremes too, forever.

wilsord11

rickeygj Smokey VZ Stevie 2021!

John Brocklehurst

7y↑10

2017 and still listening to this song plus Floy Joy,Nathan Jones and Bad Weather.

David Betsey

4y↑1

U dont know, u better ask somebody!

Andrew Thornhill

Touch!!

KENESTO'S HAVEN

8y↑28

There is no performance video for "Automatically Sunshine".At the time it was produced the song did not get the credit it deserved via promotions,payola,and radio networking so it unfortunately got sidelined.You already know how the Diana Ross void subsequently caused most fans to shun the follow-up"Supreme"girls,even with good lead-singers put in Diana's place.I actually like Diana Ross and think she was the main driving force for the groups rotating tenure.However there was much great stuff made without her.This song being just one of them.Thanks YouTube!

Augusto Fernandes

6y↑3

+kenesto there’s a performance of this song (medley) but in 1974 with Mary sharing lead with Scherrie during their tour in Japan

DetroitLives313

@Kenesto I do not like Diana Ross.

DetroitLives313

@David Betsey What are you mad about? Bushwacken Bubba is just telling the truth. Show where he was lying.

4 More Replies...

steveoliver62

3y↑7

RIP Mary Wilson.

Steven Kerry

This record always sounds to me like it was influenced by the British Invasion bands. IMHO "Stoned Love" was the best record of the group's post-Diana period. I was indifferent to both this record and "Nathan Jones" when released but appreciate them more now, especially the latter.

TWTR4EVER

13y↑2

"Bill, When Are You Coming Back" by The Supremes (Mary Jean, Cindy) was wasted in the flip side of "Up The Ladder To The Roof" one of the top Anti-Vietnam War of its day! This a perfect example of what exasperated Jean from the beginning and made it clear to her the fact that Berry/Motown were not protecting The Supremes as they did during Diane's tenure! Jean within 3 years would get fed up and depart the group together with Lynda Laurence!

Kenneth Robert

7y↑1

love it

Cinnamon Spice

7y↑12

I love the 70's supremes only person missing is Florence Ballard. I love the 60's supremes as well.

Brad Richardson

5y↑3

Uh, Diana Ross isn't with them either.

fred koerner

4y↑3

Jean Terrell was the best Supremes lead singer....

Alan O'Neill

What a production...no frills..all rEAL

KENESTO'S HAVEN

15y

Dreamgirls!!!Like something so cool it came out of a dream?You bet'cha! It just goes to show that once the sensational Dianna Ross left the Supremes,the likes of Jean,Mary,Scherrie and others didn't miss a beat!!(pardon the pun)I'm glad you enjoy this classic gem!You're welcome too!

real cooking

4y↑1

This one must've been written for us ♥️👫♥️💙💕💕💕💕💕

TWTR4EVER

13y↑1

@MahoganyArchives The album "Promises Kept" (Bad Weather) when it was finally released recently (Hip-O-Select "This Is The Story The Supremes 1970's The Jean Terrell Years") still holds it own! Sad that Jean Terrell after Berry/Motown betrayal of The Supremes and prompting her departure to A&M was also sabotaged like Florence Ballard did via "PAYOLA" to Radio Stations not to play them from Motown/Berry to end their careers!

Carole Smith

40w

Amazing!

Therone Dawson

7y↑15

The New Supremes sound so sexy on this song. This could have been a bigger hit if they had the Motown Machine behind like they did when Diana Ross was with them.

Fr Roland

Ma chanson favorite des Supremes

Ian Aldridge

I was brought up listening to Motown from both my sister's bedrooms.Thanks siblings for all the great music.

Robert Camphouse

3y↑8

Mary Wilson R.I.P. ....dreamgirl gone too soon

Gordon McIvor

8y↑5

Love this song...is there a video in existence?

Calvin375

13y↑1

@jazzscherzo BTW, Aretha had three top 10 pop charted hits in her 40's in the '80's! "Freeway Of Love" in '83(Grammy awarded), " Who's Zooming Who" in '86 and "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" w/ George Michael also Grammy awarded and it went No.1 on the pop charts as well. She was also invited to sing at President Obama's inauguration in 2009. She is still the QUEEN OF SOUL/SOULFOOD whether you like it or not! What is Diane queen of ? The bottle and DUI's!!! Blow that out your ASS!!!

Calvin375

13y

@TWTR4EVER Well, to tell you the truth, I wasn't born until 1969, but ever since I was a child, I've always heard the music of the original group, (Diane, Florence & Mary) and I loved their vocal sound. I'd later saw old clips of the original Supremes when I was about 10 and I was still a big fan of the latter-day Supremes growing up in that era. It prompted me to find out all that I could about the Supremes through several different types of mediums. I've also noticed in old video clips the ...

Calvin375

13y

@TWTR4EVER with the Diana Ross and The Supremes, the dynamic was anything but congenial or inviting. In fact, it was like the other ladis (Mary and Cindy) weren't even in a group at all. As everyone else also agreed, it was like they were the back-up singers for the DIVA! You can totally hear the difference in the vocals.While Mary's voice stood out in the background over Cindy's, it was still restrained due to th fact that Cindy did not have a very strong 1st soprano. The group wasn't the same.

Greenockianx

3y↑2

Mary Wilson. What a voice and SO sexy! RIP.

Calvin375

13y↑1

@TWTR4EVERI've even met Mary Wilson herself at her second book signing in 1990 at Olsson's Book store in Washington,DC. She also said that it was very different singing with Cindy than it was with Flo and then Motown also put restrictions on what the ladies could do and what they couldn't do any longer on stage, camera as well as in public speaking. It became to her a one women show and they were the props. Though Cindy became a good friend and ally, vocally she just wasn't as strong as Flo.

José Rendón

3y↑5

Mary Wilson RIP!

TnRpn

8y↑2

maailman paras biisi

Paul James

3y↑1

This song is the SHIT... for real..👍🏿

Supremes..🌹🌹🌹♥️

Tyrone Robinson

5y↑1

i enjoyed it

jon157uk

10y↑30

AWESOME Jean Terrell, I love this lady, she's got soul, movement and feeling, Diana Ross had none of that..... The Supremes were a far better band without Ross!
In fact my two all time favourite Motown songs just happen to be by The Supremes and neither of them feature Diana Ross.....xx

TWTR4EVER

10y↑8

I agree with you all the way. The shared lead of Jean Terrell & Mary Wilson here like in "Floy Joy", "Touch", "Now The Bitter, Now The Sweet" and many others in 1970 brought the group back to their original roots of a full FEMALE TRIO, not the charade that Diane Ross & Berry Gordy imposed in 1967 after getting rid of Florence Ballard. They turned the group into the LEAD & BACKUP SINGERS DRATS (Diane Ross & The Supremes) designed to featured Diane exclusively to pave the way into her 1969 "solo career".

MissKarma1000

9y↑1

TWTR4EVER Correction daahling (in my Zsa Zsa voice) lead was mostly Cindy Birdsong, her voice is in the 1st & 2nd soprano pitch that you hear.

hippie dylan

9y↑5

jon157uk im a huge Diana fan but youre right the supremes didn't need her to make them,three superb voices...

Ann-marie Clarke

jon157uk,they definitely sang better tunes in the 70's,but berry wasn't interested, his sweet Di Di was upmost& foremost and nothing wasn't going to stand in his way, not even his own company group,now that's what you called a Blinkered Dedication.

14 More Replies...

Calvin375

13y↑1

@ihatedumbfakehoes Each female has told their story of being in the Supremes in several articles. One being Ebony magazine and Scherrie and Lynda has several accounts of their experiences with being in the group and what Motown/Berry neglected to do for them. You'll find other books in where they both discuss the group/Berry and Motown. Scherrie Payne even had an article in a Oct. 1973 issue of "Right On" magazine in where she tells her story of how she became a Supreme.

mary simons

6y↑2

Great memories of school disco

Chris Williamson

14y

Interestingly enough, Freda Payne's sister, Scherrie, was a Supreme from 1973 to 1977 and was in the Diana Ross and the Supremes revision in 2000-

Tomas Frankell

Personally it was the incredible beauty, fire energy and voice of Diana Ross that made me a Supremes fan...but i also liked Jeans lead... but the whole Floy Joy album felt to much a sixties production for me after Frank Wilsons great first three albums....

KENESTO'S HAVEN

4y↑1

Yeah I think that initially Diana Ross was the main star-attaction to the group as many may agree,but once she packed and went solo they suceeded without her.In spite of the behind-the-scenes politics of Berry Gordy,Diana and Motown.I still enjoy me some post-Diana songs from Jean,Mary and Sherrie as followup-leads.They were also beautiful females and as for sounding sixties,maybe but that was never an issue for myself if I feel moved by a song or instrumental.

Stephen Smith

Just F A N T A S T I C

TWTR4EVER

11y

THE 1970'S SUPREMES held their own and retained their popularity internationally all over the world but in the American Market (Billboard Charts) they proved to be too much of a competition to the "failure to launch" solo Diane Ross whose first 3 Albums only one charted Top 20, D.Ross "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Everything Is Everything (I'm Still Waiting) was a FLOP in the USA & D.Ross "Surrender" also failed to chart Top 20, THE SUPREMES were doomed, Berry & Diane made sure of it!

KENESTO'S HAVEN

15y

As do I!!! Thanks for your sentiment!

stevewaugh2

9y↑8

Brilliant

KENESTO'S HAVEN

14y

An Interesting piece of information!Thanks!

swan lake

7y↑2

great just great

kevin harrison

7y↑17

smokey strikes again. 1 of my favorites.

mrob75

6y↑1

this was the Supreme's line up that Berry refused to back up...Simply washed his hands of the group at this point. We could have gotten so much more from Jean leading the group.

KENESTO'S HAVEN

6y↑1

mrob75 / Thank You mrob75! You are so correct! The decade following Diana Ross's departure,Jean Terrell did revitalize the Supremes successfully making 7 hits as lead lady for the group.Berry Gordy had planned for Syreeta Wright to replace Diana Ross initially but Mary Wilson vetoed for Jean making her lead which was the right move.The vibrant,sultry voice of Jean could have offered so much more as you stated.Behind the scenes rumors were that Berry and Diana had an affair and it could be that after Diane left,Berry was not inclined to upstage Diana with someone else,perhaps to seal Diana's legacy so to speak---who knows? I do know this though---I wore out my CD of hit songs from Jean Terrell as lead and think her career with The Supremes was a complete success! Great acknowledgement sir!

mrob75

Hi "kenesto"....Great insight in your comment. And, yes, you are correct about the "rumor". I remember when Jean took over the lead and music industry people were saying that Jean sounded a lot like Diane and that the group would successfully continue. I never thought that Jean sounded like Diane. Jean's style was a lot more sultry and down right sexy. As a matter of fact, Jean brought out that "hotness" from Cindy and Mary that had been tucked away. She also brought out A LOT of confidence from Mary that had been suppressed. If you notice in this video, Mary Wilson is glowing! Too bad that Berry chose to focus on Diane and her solo / movie career at this point and invested in the Jackson 5 leaving this sensational trio to the wind. Now we all know that Jean and the girls were very successful but....Not as successful as they could have been. Too bad that Berry couldn't set his ego aside as well as his petty anger toward Mary. Great conversation with you, "kenesto"...My name is "Mario". Take Care.

KENESTO'S HAVEN

6y↑2

mrob75 / Well stated Mario! What really could have been! I'm just glad to know that there are folks like you and me out there who know the real deal! Speaking of Jean Terrell,l think I played "Stoned Love"more than anything Diana Ross put out there so that lady's sound had me on the ropes!Great conversation with you also Mario and Thanks for all of your responses!😃

Mog X

Ariel washing powder advert circa 1980. Been in my head for 4 days.

Edit- seems it was Persil in 1988. There are worse songs to have as ear worms. So we'll crafted and lovely. Talented ladies.

Ian Smith

11y

It was Diana on her birth certificate and that'll do for me!!! How am I gullible?Like I said,she can sing,unlike half the "stars" of today.Of course we all know Gordy was 'with' her so to speak and she was favoured over better singers.But she still made some truly great records.Pax to all from 73soulboy.Xxx.

pfenix14

14y↑1

Great song. Cindy Birdsong really looks like Whitney Houston in this pic.

Michael Bennett

4y↑1

It shouldn't be about Diana Ross and if the group was better before or after. The big difference is that they were not really a group until Diana left. It's not even the Supremes singing on many of the last Diana Ross and the Supremes records. They were more of a group live than on record. Love the post Diana Supremes. Bad Weather should have been a huge hit.

KENESTO'S HAVEN

15y

I couldn't tell you the dynamics of the history for The Supremes being a Freda Payne aficionado myself.You can however get a lot of that information on the free Web source of Wikipedia.

TWTR4EVER

13y

MS.MARY WILSON: STARRING IN: "THE LIFE OF LENA HORNE" SEPTEMBER 29,2011- LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA! AT THE MUSICIANS INSTITUTE! WITH "THE LARRY DUNLAP TRIO" PRODUCED BY MR. JAMES GAVIN! MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BY MR. MIKE RENZI! The State Of Ms. Lena Horne welcomes the participation of Ms. Mary Wilson together with the intensity, artistic & music value that her performance will bring to the project!

Calvin375

13y

@TWTR4EVER That is all true. In fact, Gladys Knight admits she never even wanted to go/sign with Motown at all. Her departure from Motown was not hard at all. They made more hits after leaving Motown than they would've if they'd stayed. Joe Jackson may had been a hardass on his sons, but he saw the ship sinking and they all abandoned it and became a bigger success than they already were.When Teena Marie left Motown, her management helped her successfully sue Motown for monies that was owed her.

don barlow

5y↑5

"Great"!! supreme's lineup! the powers at Motown sould have given more effort into!!

Arye Bognar

@David Betsey , it's possible that she simply didn't tolerate male chauvinists.

1 More Replies...

Calvin375

13y↑2

@ihatedumbfakehoes Even Sherrie Payne herself told her own story of how she was introduced to the Supremes through her then boyfriend/fiance' Lamont Dozier. If you knew anything about Holland-Dozier-Holland, you would know that they left Motown on a sour note. They were the principle songwriting team for the majority of all the Motown talent in the 60's. When they successfully sued Berry/Motown, they started their own record company and guess who was one of their talents? Yes, Scherrie Payne.

Gilbert De Lorenzo

Love this oh yeah :-)

Alan Harper

Anything Motown is just fantastic

FishOnTwoWheels

12y

Thanks for that info.... she really does sound a lot like Diana, doesn't she?

KENESTO'S HAVEN

Yes Diana Ross I think most would agree was the main lead and impetus for the Supremes looking back.But without Diana,I think they managed efficiently for the other 7 years.Jean Terrell,then subsequently Scherrie Payne following as leads were good choices given the circumstances.Call it my opinion but l bought a greatests hits CD by the Supremes (without Dianna) and consider it a success.Yeah Diana was hot stuff,but the group still made hits after she made her tracks!

TWTR4EVER

14y

@christheone8773 To add to your information regarding Diane/BerryMotown it's worth noting that in 1970 The Supremes without Diane Ross released their first Billboard Pop Top 100 Single "The Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof" peaked at #10 "Diane Ross - Reach Out And Touch": peaked at a disappointing #20. This set in motion Diane/Berry more drastic plans when it was clear that in the public arena THE SUPREMES WERE THERE TO STAY! The Motown marketing & publicity will concentrate only on Diane!

Calvin375

13y

@ihatedumbfakehoes Berry didn't look for another lead singer for the Supremes in 1973. That was Mary's job. Her and her husband/manager Pedro and Lamont Dozier presented Scherrie Payne to them since Lamont and Scherrie were an item at the time. Berry had nothing to do with the hiring or firing of any Supreme member in the 1970's. That was solely left up to Mary. When he told Mary "I washed my hands of e group", he meant it. Infact, Berry didn't even want Scherrie in the group.

Mark Fellows

2y↑1

Stone Love was Supreme and yes they should of been big big big

KENESTO'S HAVEN

Ahhh yes! I'm certainly with you on that! "Stone Love" is a crown jewel of the the Supreme music legacy without a doubt!That was the main song that confirmed how the group had plenty of tread after Dianna went packing.That great song still gives me tingles although more than 50 years old now.You have profound musical taste! I consider "Stone Love" as a prime example of genuine feel-good music! Thanks!

TWTR4EVER

13y↑2

@ihatedumbfakehoes Let me explain something to you, If Berry Gordy/Motown would had fire or face out THE SUPREMES before Diane Ross was semi established as a "SOLO" her career would had TANKED even more than what it did at the very beginning! THE SUPREMES-"Up The Ladder To The Roof" / Billboard 100 Pop Chart Singles PEEKED # 10 versus Diane Ross - "Reach Out And Touch" / Billboard 100 Pop Chart Singles PEEKED # 20! THE PUBLIC RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING "BACKED" The Supremes as they resented Diane!

TWTR4EVER

13y

@ihatedumbfakehoes I've never said Diane is not talented, unlike the Diane "DIE HARDS" whose critics of Florence, Mary and any SUPREME that's not Diane are constantly diminishing their accomplishments and talent regardless of the role that was imposed on them by Berry/Diane/Motown that turn them into "bookends" and voices were hardy heard as the platform for Diane's "solo caree" was been created. Diane PROFESSIONALLY & PERSONALLY acted less than honorably and her deeds have caught up with her!

kevin white

11y↑1

Top ten in the UK, but only scraped the US top forty.By then benign neglect had set in even though this is a Smokey Robinson song.

Chris Williamson

15y

I dont think it was so much the chemistry - when Berry Gordy was grooming Diana Ross for solo superstardom, he sort of lost interest in the Supremes as a group - and Mary Wilson, the group's sole original member, tried valiantly to make the group as big in the 70s as they were in the 60s - but without Motown or Berry Gordy's support, the group disbanded by 1977-

swtv1754

37w

Why am I just discovering this song?

KENESTO'S HAVEN

37w

Perhaps you weren't aware of this song because as history dictates,Diana Ross was apparently considered the standout-lead among the others who lead-sang after she left to go solo,then Jean Terrell who followed as lead wasn't given the credit she really deserved.Consequently,this great song was not promoted like Diana's songs so it was unfortunately passed-up.Jean Terrell (as lead) did other good records like this and thanks to YouTube we get to acknowledge her talent.

swtv1754

36w

@KENESTO'S HAVEN That makes sense. My friend gave me a book by Mary Wilson, but I haven't read it yet. Now I'm curious.

KENESTO'S HAVEN

36w

@swtv1754 Yep! Although I haven't read that book,it has to be interesting cause I've seen documentaries and heard enough,so that has to be an interesting bio book---so get to it! The things culminating the lives of the Supremes should make a pretty good movie from the start with Diana as lead (as "The Primettes") in 1959 to 1961, to Sheerie Payne as lead at the end in 2000.They interchanged 10 ladies in total throughout their tenure, with 5 lead singers in total from start to finish.Them and the Temptations sealed the Motown legacy with other stars making big hits like Marvin Gaye,Smokey Robinson and "Martha Reeves and the Vandelas" to name just a few.

swtv1754

36w

@kenesto I LOVE Martha and the Vandelas. They harmonized and sang their hearts out. The one Supremes song that came close during the 60s was Come See About Me.

KENESTO'S HAVEN

36w

Alright---l favored Martha Reeves ant the Vandelas as well,which is why l have their greatest hits CD.And l don't buy music CDs unless they stand out.l recall how that group blew up the soul radio stations when l was growing up.They were quite the sensation and Motown legends!

Calvin375

13y

@TWTR4EVER It doesn't hurt to educate yourself about a subject you don't know anything about, than to speak on something as if you know and you don't know anything aout it at all. It's like my grandmothers used to say "You don't know shit from shinola", and that I'm afraid, is the 19 yr.old ihatedumbfakehoes' problem. He doesn't bother to educate himself from the lies that are fed to him. You don't just stick with one source, you research others as well. Children are very LAZY these days.

Calvin375

13y↑1

@ihatedumbfakehoesI've never said she was an angel and I've never made her out to be one. I believed I've said she was missing rehearsals, drinking all the time and arguing to get her point across. Although, I do not condone any of her self destructive methods, I understand the cause of her plight. As for your lord and saviour, Berry Gordy, he sealed his own fate when he lost Motown.He also was sued several times and blacklisted. That's not hating, it's just the TRUTH. Deal with it.

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