I'm Livin' in Shame
Diana Ross & the Supremes
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Mom was cooking bread She wore a dirty raggety scarf around her head Always had her stockings low Rolled to her feet, she just didn't know She wore a sloppy dress Oh no matter how she tried, she always looked a mess Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate I was always so ashamed for my uptown friends to see her Afraid one day when I was grown that I would be her In a college town, away from home, a new identity I found Said I was born elite, with maids and servants at my feet I must have been insane I lied and said my mom died on a weekend trip to Spain She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train I married a guy, was livin' high I didn't want him to know her She had a grandson, two years old I never even showed her I'm livin' in shame, Momma, I miss you I know you are not to blame, Momma, I miss you Came the telegram Mom passed away while making homemade jam Before she died, she cried to see me by her side She always did her best, ah! cookin', cleanin' Always in the same old dress Workin' hard down on her knees Always try'n to please Momma! Momma! Momma, do you hear me Momma! Momma! Momma, do you hear me I'm livin' in shame, Momma, I miss you I know you've done your best Momma, I miss you Won't you forgive me Momma For all the wrong I've done I know you have done your best I know you have done your very best you could But I never understood Workin' hard on your knees Momma, you were always, always tryin' to please
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Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, FRANK EDWARD WILSON, HENRY COSBY, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER, R. DEAN TAYLOR
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song's Release"I'm Livin' In Shame" was released in January 1969 as part of the "Let the Sunshine In" album by Diana Ross & The Supremes.
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Song's GenreThe track falls under the genre of Rhythm and Blues (R&B), typical of most Diana Ross & The Supremes' songs.
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Chart PerformanceThe song was a commercial hit, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the R&B singles chart in America.
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Sequel SongInterestingly, "I'm Livin' In Shame" is presented as a sequel to the group's number 1 hit "Love Child"; it continues the story of the young girl, who is now an adult and feeling ashamed of her impoverished mother.
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Band TransitionThe song is one of the last few where the group is referred to as "Diana Ross & The Supremes". Later in the same year, Diana Ross left the group and it continued under the name "The Supremes".
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Song's Writers"I'm Livin' In Shame" was written by an assembly of songwriters: Berry Gordy, Frank Wilson, Henry Cosby, Pam Sawyer and R. Dean Taylor.
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Song's ProducersThe production was handled by The Clan, an in-house writing and production team for Motown Records.
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Popularity in the UKThe song did not only make a name in the United States, but also peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Length of the SongThe length of the song on its initial release is 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
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Re-releasesA longer version of "I'm Livin' In Shame" (3:56 min) was re-released on several compilations including "Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology" (1986) and "Love Child: Expanded Edition" (2000).
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B-side of the SongThe B-side of the song was a cover of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers' “There's No Stopping Us Now”.
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Citation
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