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.
Seventeen
The Supremes Lyrics
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I've got a guy that is seventeen
I don't care because I'm just sixteen
And my guy is seventeen
He's only seventeen
He loves me
And we're as happy as two can be
And my guy is seventeen
I don't know what it is
That makes me love him so
I don't know if I shall ever let him go, go, go
Don't you know, know, know
He's seventeen
I've got a guy that is seventeen
I don't care because I'm just sixteen
And my guy is seventeen
He's only seventeen
Guess what girls
My guy is seventeen
Seventeen?
Yeah, guess what else girls
I'm just sixteen
Sixteen?
So come on
Don't you know, you know he's seventeen
I've got a guy that is seventeen
I don't care because I'm just sixteen
And my guy is seventeen
He's only seventeen
He's seventeen
Seventeen
Seventeen
Seventeen
I'm sixteen
Sixteen
Sixteen
Sixteen
He's seventeen
The Supremes' song "Seventeen" describes a teenage girl who is in love with a guy who is a year older than her. Although she is only sixteen, her lover is "seventeen," and she is happy with him. The singer is content with her relationship despite the age difference, and the two have pledged their love to each other. She’s not sure what makes her love him so much, but she’s afraid she’ll never be able to let him go.
The song can be interpreted in different ways, but it mainly highlights the innocence of young love. It speaks of the excitement and happiness that come with the beginning stages of a relationship, and how age becomes quite insignificant in the face of such tender emotions. The song also highlights the risks that young people take to pursue their passions and the many uncertainties that come with those decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
Seventeen
The song is about a girl who is dating a 17-year-old boy and she's only 16.
I've got a guy that is seventeen
The girl is in a relationship with a 17-year-old boy.
I don't care because I'm just sixteen
The girl doesn't mind that she is younger than her boyfriend because she's only 16.
And my guy is seventeen
Reiterating the fact that her boyfriend is 17 years old.
He's only seventeen
Restating that the boy is 17 years old.
He loves me
The boy and girl are in love with each other.
And we're as happy as two can be
The girl is very happy with her relationship with the boy.
We have pledged our love eternally
The girl and the boy have promised to love each other forever.
I don't know what it is
The girl is unsure of what makes her love the boy so much.
That makes me love him so
She doesn't know what specific qualities the boy possesses that make her love him.
I don't know if I shall ever let him go, go, go
The girl is unsure if she will ever break up with the boy.
Don't you know, know, know
Asking the listener if they understand the depth of her love for the boy.
Guess what girls
Referring to a group of friends, the girl is excited to share news about her boyfriend.
My guy is seventeen
The girl restates her boyfriend's age.
Seventeen?
Her friends are surprised that her boyfriend is 17 years old.
Yeah, guess what else girls
The girl has more news to share with her friends.
I'm just sixteen
The girl reminds her friends that she is only 16 years old.
Sixteen?
Her friends are further surprised by the age difference between the girl and her boyfriend.
So come on
The girl is urging her friends to join in on her excitement.
Don't you know, you know he's seventeen
Encouraging her friends to understand and accept that her boyfriend is 17 years old.
He's seventeen
Restating that the boy is 17 years old.
Seventeen
Repeating the age of the boy.
Seventeen
Again, emphasizing that the boy is 17 years old.
Seventeen
Final repetition of the boy's age.
I'm sixteen
Reiterating the girl's own age.
Sixteen
Final repetition of the girl's age.
Sixteen
Repeating the girl's age again.
Sixteen
Final repetition of the girl's age.
He's seventeen
Closing statement that the girl's boyfriend is 17 years old.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Earl Johnson, Raynoma Singleton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind