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.
Sunset
The Supremes Lyrics
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Sunset, sunset
It's sunset, it's sunset
You went and left happy
You're all alone
You turned and walked away
It was always sunset
Sunset
I didn't want you to see me cry
So I turned my head
To hide the tears in my eyes
I turned when evening shadows fall
That's when I miss you most of all
And oh, it's sunset
Oh, sunset
The Supremes's song "Sunset" was released in 1964 and tells the story of a woman left alone during the sunset. The opening lines, "Sunset, sunset, it's sunset, it's sunset," sets up the sombre mood of the song. The lyrics describe a woman who is heartbroken after the man she loves left her alone. In the verse, she reminisces about the times they spent together, and how it was always a beautiful sunset. However, now that he's gone, she spends her evenings alone and in tears. She tries to hide the tears in her eyes by turning her head away, but she misses him most during the evening shadows and at sunset.
The song is a powerful representation of heartbreak that still manages to be relatable to this day. The wistful melody and poignant lyrics beautifully capture the emotions of a woman who has been left alone. The song is a testament to the Supremes' ability to belt out soulful ballads that speak to emotions worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunset, sunset
The sun is setting, and the singer is emphasizing this fact and setting the tone for the rest of the song.
It's sunset, it's sunset
Again, the singer is highlighting the fact that the sun is setting, perhaps to suggest that something is ending or coming to a close.
You went and left happy
The singer's significant other left the relationship feeling content, which is bittersweet for the singer because they want their partner to be happy but also miss them.
You're all alone
The artist's partner is now alone, after leaving their relationship, which the artist feels responsible for in some way.
You turned and walked away
The artist's partner chose to leave the relationship, despite the artist wanting them to stay, which makes the artist feel sad and rejected.
About this time of day
The singer is nostalgic, reflecting on times when they were together during this time of day, likely watching the sunset or enjoying each other's company in some way.
It was always sunset
Again, the sun setting seems to hold a significant meaning for the singer in relation to their relationship, perhaps symbolizing the end of a chapter or season of their lives.
Sunset
A repetition of the song's opening line, driving home the idea that something significant is ending or changing.
I didn't want you to see me cry
The artist is vulnerable and emotional, but doesn't want their partner to see them this way.
So I turned my head
In an attempt to hide their tears, the artist physically turns their head away from their partner.
To hide the tears in my eyes
The singer is sad about their partner leaving and is crying, but doesn't want to show it to them for fear of being seen as weak or vulnerable.
I turned when evening shadows fall
The artist is lonely without their partner and likely thinks about them often, especially when they see the sunset and shadows set in as darkness approaches.
That's when I miss you most of all
Again, the singer is nostalgic and emotional when they see the sunset and shadows, because it reminds them of their former life with their partner and how much they miss them.
And oh, it's sunset
The singer repeats the phrase from the beginning of the song, emphasizing the idea that the sunset holds significant meaning for them and their relationship.
Oh, sunset
A final repetition of the phrase to close out the song and underline the importance of the sunset as a symbolic representation of the relationship coming to an end.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN NEIL EDWARDS, PHILIPPE OLIVIER CERBONESCHI, HUBERT BLANC-FRANCARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind