MOTOWN FLASHBACK: CLASSIC SUPREMES FAREWELL SINGLE

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER
MOTOWN RECORDS
# 1 POP AND R&B
PRODUCED BY JOHNNY BRISTOL

When Diana Ross & The Supremes performed this classic on the Ed Sullivan show, many fans enjoyed the song, but it was also a sad moment for many in music history; Diana Ross was leaving the group for a solo career, while original Supreme Mary Wilson planned to carry on with Cindy Birdsong, who had replace the group's founder Florence Ballard two years earlier and Jean Terrell, who was recruited to be the lead singer.
I have to admit this is one of the hardest reviews I ever written because it's sad that the group never did a official farewell tour and they never had a reunion. What makes this song magical are the strings, the lyrics about telling a loved one goodbye while acknowledging the good and positive energy they brought to their lives, and this is a song that can be used a a theme for moving away from home to attend college and to get married. This song also captured Diana singing in a soulful voice with the song's producer who originally sang with her to cheer her up.
This song is touching and hopefully the ladies will get together soon.

FACTS ABOUT THIS SONG

Berry Gordy had originally wanted the single to be Diana's first solo single, but the group's manager Shelly Berger said that it would be better as a Supremes song.

Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong didn't sing the background vocals on the song. The demo had background singers singing and since the label had Motown in session singers The Andantes recording on the group's post Holland-Doizer-Holland hits, they decided to have Diana add her lead vocals to the song.

The late Johnny Bristol had noticed that Diana was feeling down when she was recording so he decided to go in the booth to give her moral support and comfort and Gordy decided to keep his vocals on the song.

The song was the last # 1 hit of the 1960's and the last # 1 Pop hit The Supremes would ever have.

Original Supreme Mary Wilson performs this song in her concerts and she recorded a live version of this song on her CD "I Am Changing"

Janet Jackson sampled the intro of this song for her 1993 hit "If"