Reflections, by
Diana Ross and
the Supremes,
written by
Holland-Dozier-Holland for
Motown Records,
a major hit in the US and elsewhere, in
1967.
The bass line jumps frantically up and down against uncompromising chord sequences - we heard this before, in You keep me hanging on, where it expressed impatience and anger; but this is a song of grief, with a soft organ, soothing background vocals, wailing violins; the contrast creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Compared to the straight pop of Baby Love and Where did our love go that had launched the Supremes three years before, Reflections is sophisticated and experimental, its music and lyrics going far beyond the standard hit single format. Soon after making this record, Holland, Dozier and Holland left Motown, feeling too constrained in artistic freedom.
Through the mirror of my mind, time after time,
I see reflections of you and me ...
Reflections of the way life used to be
reflections of the love you took from me
Oh, I'm all alone now, no love to shield me;
trapped in a world that's a distorted reality
Happiness you took from me
and left me alone with only memories
Through the mirror of my mind,
through these tears that I'm crying
reflects a hurt I can't control;
'cause although you're gone, I keep holding on
to the happy times, oh, when you were mine
As I peer through the window of lost time,
looking over my yesterdays,
and all the love I gave all in vain,
all the love that I've wasted,
all the tears that I've tasted,
all in vain ...
Through the hollow of my tears,
I see a dream that's lost
from the hurt that you have caused
Everywhere I turn, it seems like everything I see
reflects the love that used to be ...
In you I put all my faith and trust -
right before my eyes
my world has turned to dust
After all the nights I sat alone and wept,
just a handful of promises
are all that's left of loving you
Reflections of the way life used to be
reflections of the love you took from me
In you I put all my faith and trust -
right before my eyes
my world has turned to dust