I'm Livin' in Shame

The Supremes

About I'm Livin' in Shame

"I'm Livin' in Shame" is a 1969 song released for Diana Ross & the Supremes on the Motown label. The sequel to the Supremes' number-one hit, "Love Child," the song peaked in the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 pop chart at #10 and the top 20 in the UK at #14 in April and May 1969.


Year:
1987
3:00
54 
#1

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Mom was cooking bread
She wore a dirty raggety scarf around her head
Always had her stockings low
Rolled to her feet, she just didn't know
She wore a sloppy dress
Oh no matter how she tried, she always looked a mess
Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate
I was always so ashamed for my uptown friends to see her
Afraid one day when I was grown that I would be her

In a college town, away from home, a new identity I found
Said I was born elite, with maids and servants at my feet
I must have been insane
I lied and said my mom died on a weekend trip to Spain
She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train
I married a guy, was livin' high
I didn't want him to know her
She had a grandson, two years old
I never even showed her

I'm livin' in shame, Momma, I miss you
I know you are not to blame, Momma, I miss you

Came the telegram
Mom passed away while making homemade jam
Before she died, she cried to see me by her side
She always did her best, ah! cookin', cleanin'
Always in the same old dress
Workin' hard down on her knees
Always try'n to please
Momma!  Momma!  Momma, do you hear me
Momma!  Momma!  Momma, do you hear me

I'm livin' in shame, Momma, I miss you
I know you've done your best
Momma, I miss you
Won't you forgive me Momma
For all the wrong I've done
I know you have done your best
I know you have done your very best you could
But I never understood
Workin' hard on your knees
Momma, you were always, always tryin' to please

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The Supremes

The Supremes was an American female singing group and the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s. Originally founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco. They were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and are, to date, America's most successful vocal group with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Most of these hits were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. At their peak in the mid-1960s, the Supremes rivaled the Beatles in worldwide popularity, and their success made it possible for future African American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream succe… more »

4 fans

Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, FRANK EDWARD WILSON, HENRY COSBY, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER, R. DEAN TAYLOR

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song's Release
"I'm Livin' In Shame" was released in January 1969 as part of the "Let the Sunshine In" album by Diana Ross & The Supremes.
Song's Genre
The track falls under the genre of Rhythm and Blues (R&B), typical of most Diana Ross & The Supremes' songs.
Chart Performance
The song was a commercial hit, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the R&B singles chart in America.
Sequel Song
Interestingly, "I'm Livin' In Shame" is presented as a sequel to the group's number 1 hit "Love Child"; it continues the story of the young girl, who is now an adult and feeling ashamed of her impoverished mother.
Band Transition
The song is one of the last few where the group is referred to as "Diana Ross & The Supremes". Later in the same year, Diana Ross left the group and it continued under the name "The Supremes".
Song's Writers
"I'm Livin' In Shame" was written by an assembly of songwriters: Berry Gordy, Frank Wilson, Henry Cosby, Pam Sawyer and R. Dean Taylor.
Song's Producers
The production was handled by The Clan, an in-house writing and production team for Motown Records.
Popularity in the UK
The song did not only make a name in the United States, but also peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.
Length of the Song
The length of the song on its initial release is 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
Re-releases
A longer version of "I'm Livin' In Shame" (3:56 min) was re-released on several compilations including "Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology" (1986) and "Love Child: Expanded Edition" (2000).
B-side of the Song
The B-side of the song was a cover of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers' “There's No Stopping Us Now”.

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    I'm Livin' in Shame

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    121     14

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #10


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