So much has been said about this trio, I couldn’t possibly add much that you haven’t already heard. That is, if you are very familiar with the era The Supremes came out of. If not, you’ll most likely get the fairytale version from Broadway.

The short of it is that it’s a beautiful story of friendship and triumph in turbulent times, laced with betrayal and tragedy.  I will end it there ’cause I feel a tad bit sad to ponder the individual lives of the three ladies that started out so well. If you understand the backstory and reading between the lines, I’m sure there are folk who’d argue against me and that’s okay. That being said, my absolute favorite from the group is Love Child.

This song will always be relevant, even if it’s not played over the radio but it really deserves air time. At the inception of R&B, there was an element to uplift and inject a message into its listeners. If you stop bobbing your head  and moving your fanny to the beat, you can actually hear what the artist is layin’ on you.

This love we’re contemplating is worth the pain of waiting
We’ll only end up hating the child we may be creating

These ladies were making a strong statement for that particular time. Such a song came from the new writing team. While Berry Gordy was having a tantrum about the whole thing, ’cause he wasn’t trying to be socially conscious about nothing, the team coaxed him along ’cause the bottom line was money. Berry was all about that. Okay?

Don’t think that I don’t need you
Don’t think I don’t want to please you
No child of mine will be bearing the name of shame I’ve been wearin’

I’d say that is the ultimate way to have a man’s back. Though, this song specifically targets teenagers not putting out too soon, it’s applicable to anyone. It’s hard enough out here as it is. Am I right or am I right?

Now!

Love Child was 3 years before the Roe vs. Wade case. Safest thing during that time was to get hitched and have the sex. Even if you didn’t want or couldn’t afford it, at least you wouldn’t have a love child and bring embarrassment to the family name. Nowadays, it’s a payday and doesn’t even matter.

Once upon a time, there was a confused, wayward child of a single alcoholic mother who made history the third time she became pregnant and wanted an abortion in 1971.

Love child, love child, never quite as good
Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood
I’ll always love you
I’ll always love you
I’ll always love you
I’ll always love you

Rest in Love, Florence Ballard and  Mary Wilson. The Supremes were a force to be reckoned with. We’re  thankful for the bond that brought you together to make music history.