Diana & The Supremes performed many times on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ through their decade of success. In 1969, the ladies brought a totally groovy single titled ‘No Matter What Sign You Are’ to the T.V. audience. The song’s bassline and groove serve as an homage to 60s r&b.
The Supremes appear dressed in multicolored, sequined outfits that shimmer in the studio lighting. Their long, flowing sleeves swayed with their arm movements. Diana Ross’ outfit is silver at the top, fades to gold, and then to green. Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong are wearing outfits that fade from silver to blue. The Supremes had a fabulous look that fit the vibe of the song.
Their choreographed dance moves are a little looser than their typical swaying to the rhythm. Diana makes her own moves as Mary and Cindy have their own choreography. Various zodiac signs are shown in the background, drawn in large circles. As the song progresses, close-ups of Diana mixed with the zodiac signs are put together.
Diana stands away from the other girls until the very end of the performance, when they come together. This positioning signifies Motown’s desire for Diana to go solo and leave the Supremes behind. In the group’s early years, the girls all stood close together for their songs.
‘No Matter What Sign You Are’ was intended to be the group’s last single before Diana launched her solo career. It was written by iconic producer Berry Gordy who started Motown Records. The single did not meet expectations, peaking at 31 on the charts. Mary and Cindy weren’t even on the record because Motown started using session singers to complete the work.
The Supremes began in 1959 as ‘The Primettes,’ and it wasn’t until 1964 that they achieved their first number 1 record. Their success took off like a rocket as they scored 5 consecutive number 1 hits from 1964 to 1965.
The Supremes are credited with 12 number 1 songs over their decade of dominance in the 60s. This single didn’t match their success, but it is a beautiful tune with a strong hook. The lyric writing is impressive, considering all the zodiac sign names that appear in the song. This clip shows Diana Ross and the Supremes in one of their last performances together.
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