The Supremes: A Psychedelic Journey with “Stoned Love”
The Supremes, an iconic trio that defined the Motown sound of the 1960s, embarked on a psychedelic journey with their 1969 single, “Stoned Love”. This departure from their usual romantic ballads marked a bold experiment in a genre that was rapidly gaining popularity: psychedelic soul.
Background
Released at the height of the psychedelic era, “Stoned Love” captured the spirit of the times with its dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. The song’s lyrics, penned by Motown’s renowned songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, explore themes of love, infatuation, and the altered states of consciousness associated with psychedelic experiences.
The Supremes’ lead singer, Diana Ross, delivers a captivating performance, her vocals soaring with ethereal quality. The arrangement, featuring a prominent bassline, psychedelic guitar riffs, and hypnotic percussion, creates a mesmerizing soundscape that transports listeners to another dimension.
“Stoned Love” was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a top ten hit in several other countries. The song’s music video, directed by Robert Eaton, visually complements the psychedelic themes of the song, featuring the Supremes performing in a dreamlike setting.
The Supremes’ foray into psychedelic soul with “Stoned Love” was a significant moment in their career and a bold artistic statement. The song’s enduring popularity and critical acclaim have solidified its place as a classic of the genre and a testament to the group’s versatility and innovation.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Stoned loveStoned love, oh, yeahA love for each other will bring fighting to an endForgiving one another, time after time doubt creeps inBut like the sun lights up the sky with a message from aboveOh yeah, I find no other greater symbol of loveYeah, don’t you hear the wind blowing? Ooh-oohStoned love, oh, yeahI tell you I ain’t got no other, ooh-oohStoned love, oh, yeahAnd life is so short, put the present time at hand (time at hand)Oh yeah, and if you’re young at heart, rise up and take your standAnd to the man on whose shoulder the world must dependI pray for peace and love, AmenOh, can’t you feel it?Stoned loveI tell you I ain’t got no other, ooh-oohStoned love, oh, yeahIf the war ‘tween our nations passed, oh, yeahWill the love ‘tween our brothers and sisters last?On, and on, and on, and on, andDon’t you hear the wind blowing?Stoned love, oh yeahI tell you I ain’t got no other, whoo, whooStoned loveCan’t you, can’t you, can’t you, can’t you, can’t you feel it?Whoo, whoo, mm-mm, stoned loveOh, yeah, stoned, stoned, stoned, stonedWhoo, whoo, mm-mm, stoned loveOh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahWhoo, whoo, mm-mm, stoned love, oh, yeah