Love Child

Diana Ross, The Supremes

About Love Child

"Love Child" is a 1968 song released by the Motown label for Diana Ross & the Supremes. The second single and title track from their album Love Child, it became the Supremes' 11th (and penultimate) number-one single in the United States. The record took just three weeks to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, which it then topped for two weeks, November 30—December 7, 1968, before being dethroned by an even bigger Motown single, Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". "Love Child" also performed well on the soul chart — where it spent three weeks at number two (stuck behind Johnnie Taylor's "Who's Making Love") — and paved new ground for a major pop hit with its then-controversial subject matter of illegitimacy. It is also the single that finally knocked the Beatles' "Hey Jude" off the top spot in the United States after its nine-week run. The Supremes debuted the dynamic and intense song on the season premiere of the CBS variety program The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday, September 29, 1968. In Billboard's special 2015 chart of the Top 40 Biggest Girl Groups of All Time on the Billboard Hot 100, "Love Child" ranked highest among the Supremes' six entries. 


Year:
2004
2:56
18 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

You think that I don't feel love
What I feel for you is real love
In other's eyes I see reflected a hurt, scorned, rejected
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, born  in poverty
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, take a look at me

I started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum
My father left, he never even married Mom
I shared the guilt my mama knew
So afraid that others knew I had no name

This love we're contemplating, is worth the pain of waiting
We'll only end up hating the child we may be creating
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, by society
Love child, always second best
Love child, diff'rent from the rest
Hold on, whoa

I started school in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out
I knew the way it was to always live in doubt
To be without the simple things
So afraid my friends could see the guilt in me
Don't think that I don't need you
Don't think I don't want to please you
No child of mine'll be bearing the name of shame I've been wearin'

Love child, never quite as good
Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood
But I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
I'll always love you
You, you, you
I'll always love you

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Diana Ross

Diana Ross is a Grammy Lifetime Award Winning entertainer and actress. She was born on March 26, 1944 to Fred and Ernestine Ross. Her birth name was Diane Ernestine Earle Ross. She is known for being the lead vocalist of the Supremes, who were Motown’a best selling act during the 1960’s and is one of the greatest girl groups of all time. Diana Ross is the mother of 5 children; Tracee Ellis Ross, Rhonda Ross Kendricks, Evan Ross, Ross Näess, and Chudney Ross. She has starred in many movies including Lady Sings The Blues, Mahogany, The Wiz, Double Platinum, and etc. She has 6 number ones, has made 116 singles, and has 25 studio albums. more »

6 fans

Written by: Deke Richards, Dennis Lussier, Frank Edward Wilson, Pamela Joan Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Love Child" by Diana Ross & The Supremes was released on September 30, 1968.
Performance History
This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in 1968, which made The Supremes the first Motown act to have more than one number one hit in a year.
Significance
"Love Child" was a significant shift in theme for the group. Previously, their songs mostly dealt with love and relationships, but "Love Child" tackled the then-taboo subject of illegitimate children and societal prejudice.
Lyric Content
"Love Child" was one of the first popular songs to discuss the experience of being born out of wedlock. The lyrics were a plea from a woman to her lover, asking him not to pressure her into sex because she doesn't want to have a "love child" as she herself was one.
Song Creation
The song was created by a newly formed songwriting/production team known as "The Clan," composed of Deke Richards, Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, and Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Album Debut
"Love Child" debuted as a title track on The Supremes' eighth regular studio album released in 1968.
Award Recognition
In 1969, the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.
Personnel Shifts
At the time of recording, Diana Ross was the only original Supreme left in the group. Mary Wilson was the only other member featured on the track, as Cindy Birdsong hadn't yet received her work visa.
Chart Success
In addition to topping the U.S. charts, "Love Child" also achieved success overseas, reaching number 11 in the UK Singles Chart, number 15 in the Irish Singles Chart, and number 4 in the Australian Singles Chart.
Social Impact
The song was pivotal in breaking barriers as to what topics could be addressed in popular music. Its success demonstrated that songs with serious social commentary could resonate with a large audience and achieve commercial success.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Love Child" since its release, including Terence Trent D'Arby and Taylor Dayne. It was also adapted into a duet for the 2006 musical "Dreamgirls", which was based on The Supremes' rise to fame.
In Pop Culture
Besides multiple cover versions and appearances in many compilations, "Love Child" has been featured in several films and TV shows, including "Forrest Gump" and "The Wonder Years."

Discuss the Love Child Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Love Child Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7243727/Diana+Ross/Love+Child>.

    Missing lyrics by Diana Ross?

    Know any other songs by Diana Ross? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Love Child

    2.8M
    17,219     0

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1968

    Billboard #1


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    'All we want from you are the kicks you've given us...'
    A I Must Confess
    B Motorcycle Emptiness
    C S Express
    D Little Black Dress

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Diana Ross's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Diana Ross tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Love Child

    »