Reach Out and Touch

Diana Ross

About Reach Out and Touch

"Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" is the debut solo single of singer Diana Ross, released in April 1970. Ross, having just left The Supremes after a decade of serving as that group's lead singer, went through a difficult situation trying to piece a solo album together. With Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson writing and producing for her, and Paul Riser arranging, Ross recorded "Reach Out and Touch", which carried a heavy gospel influence, and was one of the few songs the singer recorded to express her social conscience, previously experimented with Supremes singles such as "Love Child" and "I'm Livin' in Shame". "Reach Out and Touch" peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Cash Box Top 100, and number 7 on the R&B charts with 500,000 copies sold. It was also a hit in the United Kingdom, making number 33 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1970. While the song's initial success fell short of expectations, "Reach Out and Touch" became one of Ross' most popular and notable songs. During her concert performances of the song, Ross often had the whole crowd turn to their neighbors, and "reach out and touch" their hands. 


Year:
1997
65 
#2

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Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you'll see
It's something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch somebody's hand

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

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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: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origination
"Reach Out and Touch" was the debut solo single of legendary singer Diana Ross, marking the start of her solo career after leaving the Supremes in late 1969.
Album Relation
The song was also featured on her eponymous debut solo album "Diana Ross (1970)."
Song Creators
The inspirational song was written by the iconic songwriting team Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson and produced by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Frank Wilson.
Chart Performance
Despite its popularity and enduring legacy, "Reach Out and Touch" was not initially a big hit, the song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970.
Inspirational Theme
The message of the song is about unity, brotherhood and helping one another. It was often used by Diana Ross to have audiences physically link hands and sing along, thus embodying its message.
Recognizable Signature
"Reach Out and Touch" became one of Ross's signature songs that she performed at all her concerts.
Uses in Popular Culture
This song was used as the official theme of the Keating Five hearing (bank scandal) in 1990 as well as the title of an episode of the television sitcom "A Different World" in 1989.
Cover Versions
"Reach Out and Touch" has also been covered by other artists such as Gloria Gaynor and Teddy Pendergrass.
Performance at the Super Bowl
Diana Ross used this song as the closing number for her Super Bowl XXX halftime show in 1996, creating a poignant and memorable moment.
Social Causes
This song was also adopted by several organizations for social causes, including the Diana Ross Playground in Central Park, New York City, and the Reach Out International foundation in the fight against HIV.
Influence on Musicians
The song's prominent message of unity and reach out helped pave the way for future philanthropic singles such as "We Are the World."

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