A countdown to celebrate Diana Ross & her 75th birthday: HER TOP 100 TRACKS. This post: concludes the countdown today- Diana Ross' birthday (March 25).

Caffé Latté presents:

The 100 Greatest

Songs Of

diana ross

A celebration of one of music’s most influential women: Diana Ross : solo and as the lead singer of The Supremes. On March 25, she turns 75. This countdown looks back on her incredible career and body of work.

10 /

THE HAPPENING

1967

The final hit single credited to The Supremes before highlighting Diana Ross in the group's name, "The Happening" was the title song from a film. On the US chart, the single reached #1. The disc also peaked at #3 in Australia and #6 in Britain. 

9 /

TOUCH ME IN THE MORNING

1973

After 12 #1 singles as lead singer for The Supremes, Diana began consolidating her solo string of chart toppers with "Touch Me In The Morning". This was her second solo #1. It was co-written and co-produced by Michael Masser. As well as topping the US Adult Contemporary Chart, in Britain, Canada and Australia the disc cracked the Top 10.

8 /

you keep me hangin' on

1966

The Supremes delivered another highlight from the Holland / Dozier / Holland canon, reaching #1 on the American Pop and Soul charts. In the UK, this disc climbed to #8. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" became a major hit again in 1967 for Vanilla Fudge and in 1986 for Kim Wilde.

7 /

THE BOSS

1979

"The Boss", penned and produced by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, became another signature tune for Diana. This disco - flavoured recording has lost none of its magic despite the passing of time.

6 /

THEME FROM MAHOGANY

(DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO?)

1975

Michael Masser produced and co-wrote "Do You Know Where You're Going To?" with Gerry Goffin. The song was used in the film 'Mahogany' which starred Diana and Billy Dee Williams and earned an Oscar nomination. It topped the US Pop and AC charts. In Britain, the single peaked at #5.

5 /

STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE

1965

The Supremes racked up 3 #1 singles in 1964. The following year, "Stop! In The Name Of Love", written by Holland / Dozier / Holland, became the 4th of 5 consecutive chart topping discs for the trio in America.

 

4 /

CHAIN REACTION

1985

Diana’s "Chain Reaction" evoked memories of the sound of her recordings as lead singer of The Supremes. The single was written by The Bee Gees' Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb and produced by Barry with Karl Richardson and Albhy Galuten. It was a British and Australian #1 hit.

3 /

UPSIDE DOWN

1980

Diana’s funkiest moment remains "Upside Down". Written and produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the single was an across the board smash in the U.S.A.: topping the Pop, Soul and Disco charts. It reached #2 in Britain. The single also made #1 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

2 /

AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

1970

Diana’s first solo single did not meet Motown's expectations and the label began to second guess its confidence that Diana would surpass her success as a member of The Supremes. A cover of Ashford & Simpson's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was released in the hope of giving Motown's star her first major hit. Originally recorded by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Ross had previously recorded a cover with The Supremes and The Temptations. Her solo remake totally transformed the song and provided Diana with her first Pop and Soul solo #1 in America. 

1/

LOVE CHILD

1968

Diana did not invite the other members of The Supremes to the recording session for "Love Child". This single marked a departure from the sweet and romantic songs usually offered by the trio. There was a raw reality in its subject matter, something Motown usually shied away from. The label's brave move paid off, giving the group another American #1.

 

TIMELINE

1944  - Diana Ross is born in Detroit.

1959 – Formed The Primettes.

1960 – First records on LuPine, before signing with Motown.

1961 – Name changed to The Supremes; now a trio.

1963 – Diana officially becomes the lead singer.

1964 – #1 with “Where Did Our Love Go”.

1965 – The Supremes score a 5^th consecutive #1 single.

1967 – Group is now referred to as Diana Ross & The Supremes.

1969 – Diana announces she is leaving The Supremes.

1970 – Solo career is launched; First solo #1 single.

1972 – Oscar-nominated film debut in ‘Lady Sings The Blues’.

1981 – Diana switches labels from Motown to RCA.

1983 – Diana performs her concerts in Central Park, New York.

1985 – Diana contributes to “We Are The World”.

1988 – Supremes inducted into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

1989 – Diana returns to Motown.

2019 – Diana Ross turns 75.