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.
Where Did Our Love Go
The Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, please don't leave me all by myself
I've got this burning, burning, yearning feelin' inside me
Ooh, deep inside me and it hurts so bad
You came into my heart (baby, baby) so tenderly
With a burning love (baby, baby)
That stings like a bee (baby, baby)
You now want to leave (baby, baby)
Ooh, you wanna leave me (baby, baby)
Ooh (baby, baby)
Baby, baby, where did our love go?
Ooh, don't you want me?
Don't you want me no more (baby, baby)?
Ooh, baby
Baby, baby, where did our love go?
And all your promises of a love forevermore!
I've got this burning, burning, yearning feelin' inside me
Ooh, deep inside me, and it hurts so bad
Before you won my heart (baby, baby)
You were a perfect guy
But now that you got me
You wanna leave me behind (baby, baby)
Ooh, baby
Baby, baby, baby don't leave me
Ooh, please don't leave me all by myself (baby, baby)
Ooh baby, baby, baby
The Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" is a classic Motown track from the 1960s, and is often cited as one of the best pop songs of all time. The lyrics deal with the end of a romantic relationship and the feelings of hurt, confusion, and betrayal that often accompany such an event.
The song's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer pleads with her lover not to leave her alone and to reconsider their decision to end things. She has a deep, burning, yearning feeling inside her that is causing her pain, which is clearly evident in her vocals.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's emotions, as she expresses her confusion at the sudden change in her lover's attitude. He had once been a "perfect guy" who had promised her "a love forevermore," but now he wants to leave her behind. She is left asking "where did our love go?" and wondering if he ever really loved her at all.
Overall, the lyrics to "Where Did Our Love Go" are a poignant reminder of the pain and confusion that often come with the end of a relationship. The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo, however, make it a classic that remains popular to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby, baby don't leave me
I'm begging you to stay with me
Ooh, please don't leave me all by myself
I can't bear the thought of being alone without you
I've got this burning, burning, yearning feelin' inside me
I feel a strong desire for you
Ooh, deep inside me and it hurts so bad
But it's painful because you're leaving me
You came into my heart (baby, baby) so tenderly
You entered my heart with such care
With a burning love (baby, baby)
And a passionate love
That stings like a bee (baby, baby)
That sometimes hurts like a bee sting
Now that I surrender (baby, baby) so helplessly
I gave myself up to you so completely and vulnerably
You now want to leave (baby, baby)
But now you want to go away from me
Ooh, you wanna leave me (baby, baby)
And it hurts my heart deeply
Baby, baby, where did our love go?
What happened to the love we had?
Ooh, don't you want me?
Don't you love me anymore?
Don't you want me no more (baby, baby)?
Do you not desire me anymore?
And all your promises of a love forevermore!
You promised me a love that lasts forever
Before you won my heart (baby, baby)
Before you captured my heart
You were a perfect guy
You seemed like the perfect partner
But now that you got me
But now that you have me
You wanna leave me behind (baby, baby)
You want to abandon me now
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
Baby, baby, baby don't leave me
Please don't leave me, my love
Ooh, please don't leave me all by myself (baby, baby)
I can't face being alone without you
Ooh baby, baby, baby
My dear love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave dvlaries
With this song, Holland Dozier Holland found the magic The Supremes needed. Before this came "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" in November 1963 and "Run Run Run" in February 1964. "Lovelight," which charted better of the two, has so much male and female chorale participation, there was no way of knowing "The Supremes" were actually a group of three girls, and only girls. Further, both songs forced Ross into the extreme of her register, and "Run Run Run" asked her to sing uncomfortably fast.
Mary almost sang "Where," because it was in a lower key and slower, but the vote went to Ross. The record is a much more comfortable pace and Ross sounds significantly closer to her own speaking voice. Lamont Dozier, commenting later about that key change and decision, said "we didn't think about it much at the moment, but she sounded sexy because she didn't have to scream." The Supremes finally left the launching pad, and the sky was the limit.
Geminisixtyfour
There is nothing more interesting than watching an old 45 being played, just like it was in the old days!
supremes ballard
57 years ago today ......Motown released this song to the public (radio earlier)....within two weeks it debuted on Billboard "HOT 100" chart @#77....then shot to #38....leaps @#18 .......roars to #5....#3-2+1 for two weeks! love this song ....still in 2021!!
Bob
My aunt had this record and used to play it on her Webcor verified hi fidelity record player, it sounded great. She turned me on to great old rock n roll, Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Platters, etc before the Beatles broke when I was a kid. This one of course was post Beatles.
AcervoVinil
Great sound!
supremes ballard
THE BEST!
David Russell
I can just imagine the total, and, mercifully, largely forgotten bullshit that Rolling Stone would have rated before this enduring gem
paul hatton
I agree 100% David. At very least in the top 100
cor_pro34fan
Love the sound. I have the CDs, I assume they're from Stereo versions. Somehow, listening to this Mono version, the "claps" are clearer more audible than the CD versions (again, assuming they're from Stereo version).
Joey Chan
The Mono version is the one I like best, back then the Stereo version seems to have lost some of the sound. On My World Is Empty Without You, you can really hear the string section on the Mono version.