Someday We’ll Be Together’ is a classic song that continues to be beloved by music lovers worldwide. The song, performed by The Supremes in 1969, is an iconic hit that topped the US and UK charts. It was a crucial single for the band, as it served as a powerful farewell to Diana Ross and marked the beginning of her solo career.
The Supremes
At the time of the song’s release, The Supremes were on the verge of breaking up, and the band’s record label, Motown, was eager to find a hit that would propel Diana Ross’s solo career forward. As a result, label head Berry Gordy decided to give ‘Someday We’ll Be Together’ to Ross, who added her lead vocal to the track. However, Gordy ultimately agreed that the song was better suited as The Supremes’ last single, in which Ross would perform as the group’s lead singer.
Jackey Beavers and Johnny Bristol co-wrote the song while they were touring in the Midwest, with Harvey Fuqua, the label boss at Tri-Phi Records, credited as a writer. Bristol also produced the track and struggled to get the sound he wanted from Ross during recording. To help her find her groove, he went into a different vocal booth to offer encouragement while she sang. Some of his appeals, including “sing it pretty” and “you better,” made it onto the final recording.
The Supremes
Despite the tensions between Ross and her bandmates at the time, the song can be interpreted as a tribute to the idea that the band will always be together in spirit, even after Ross’s departure. The group’s final performance of the song was a powerful farewell to their lead singer and a fitting conclusion to the band’s era.
The song was revived in 1969 when Motown Records enlisted Bristol to produce a new version for Jr. Walker & the All-Stars as a follow-up to their hit “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love).” Bristol recorded the track with Motown’s famed Funk Brothers house band and added backing vocals using singers at the label, along with the sisters Maxine and Julia Waters. Unfortunately, however, Jr. Walker never got to record it.
The Supremes
The upbeat trivia of 1969 included a gallon of milk priced at $1.10 and a gallon of gas at 35 cents. It was also the year Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the President of the United States.
It’s clear from the comments section of the song’s YouTube video that it continues to be a beloved hit for music lovers of all ages. One commenter notes that the piece will never get old, while other marvels at how someone recognized Diana Ross’s talent at such a young age and helped turn her into a true music legend.
So why not take a trip down memory lane and listen to ‘Someday We’ll Be Together’ again? Share it with your friends and loved ones, and appreciate the timeless beauty of this classic hit.