Motown legend Diana Ross' most iconic songs of all time
Ain't no mountain high enough for this superstar!
As one of the most famous female artists of all time, Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes and has picked up a staggering array of honours, including multiple lifetime achievement awards and a 2023 Grammy honour for The Supremes. Her records remain as iconic as ever, and she still packs out arenas worldwide with hits like 'I’m Coming Out' and 'Endless Love'.
Many will agree Diana Ross helped shape the Motown sound and introduced it to new audiences, becoming the most successful 60s artist before enjoying a huge solo career. Today she continues to tour globally, including her 2026 run of 'Diana in Motion', following her 'A Symphonic Celebration' UK shows with full orchestra in 2025 - as new generations discover her biggest songs and her rise to fame since the 60s.
'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'
Released in 1970, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' became Diana Ross' first solo Number 1 in the US, peaking at Number 6 in the UK. Interestingly, the song was a hit single in 1967, after it was first recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
'I'm Still Waiting'
'I'm Still Waiting' was released in 1971, reaching the Number 1 spot in the UK charts. However, it was unsuccessful in the US, only reaching Number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
‘Surrender’
The 1971 single, written by Ashford and Simpson, became Diana Ross' fifth Top 40 single since leaving The Supremes. It peaked at Number 10 in the UK, her fourth single to reach the Top 10 in the country.
'Theme from Mahogany'
'Theme from Mahogany' was first recorded by Thelma Houston in 1973, but then covered by Diana Ross for the theme to the 1975 Motown/Paramount film 'Mahogany.' It peaked at Number 1 in the US and Number 5 in the UK.
'Love Hangover'
Initially unsure about the track, Diana Ross ended up liking 'Love Hangover' after she changed it from the ballad to disco genre. Releasing the record in 1976, it became an instant success, with it reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Soul Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts at the same time. It landed in the UK's Top 10.
'My Old Piano'
'My Old Piano' was released in 1980 from her self-titled 10th album. Written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the song wasn't as successful as expected to be in the US, charting at Number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 single charts. However, in the UK, it charted at Number 5.
'I'm Coming Out'
'I'm Coming Out' was the second single to be released from Diana Ross' 10th studio album in 1980. Again, it was written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards and reached Number 1 in the US.
The song has gone on to have huge LGBT+ significance, with the track frequently played at Pride events across the world, with the title 'I'm Coming Out' seen as a reference to "coming out" about an individual's sexual orientation.
'Upside Down'
And it seems like Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards can do no wrong as 1980's 'Upside Down' was also written and produced by the duo. It saw success in countries across the world and peaked at Number 2 in the UK. In April 2025, it was certified 2x Platinum by the BPI, equating to 1.2 million UK sales!
'Endless Love'
Originally recorded as a duet with Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross collaborated with the fellow artist in 1981 for this power ballad track. It peaked at Number 1 in the US and Number 7 in the UK and has since been named the greatest song duet of all-time by Billboard. It the UK, it's been certified Platinum.
'Chain Reaction'
This R&B song was written for Diana Ross by the Bee Gees in 1985. It was Diana Ross' second Number 1 single in the UK.
'Turn Up the Sunshine'
Following her return to music with her incredible 'Thank You' album in 2021, Diana Ross worked with music group Tame Impala to create the song 'Turn Up the Sunshine'. The song featured in the film Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Who is Diana Ross?
Diana Ross is an American singer, actress and record producer, best known for classics like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’m Coming Out and Upside Down. Known as the Queen of Motown, she became one of the label’s most successful artists in the 1960s as lead singer of The Supremes, before launching a hugely successful solo career.
Across Diana's career, she has earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Kennedy Center Honor, cementing her status as a pop culture icon. She continues to tour globally into the 2020s - including her 'A Symphonic Celebration' UK arena dates with full orchestra in 2025, followed by 'Diana in Motion' which began in February 2026 and continuing through the summer.
Where is she from?
Diana is from Detroit, Michigan in the US.
How old is Diana Ross?
Diana Ross was born on 26th March 1944, which makes her 82-years-old.
How did Diana Ross become famous?
Diana Ross rose to fame in 1959 after taking on the lead singer role in the US vocal group The Supremes. They are one of Motown's most successful acts, and are the best-charting female group in US history.
The Supremes are also one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time, achieving 100 million single sales and 12 Number 1 US singles with their records including, 'Where Did Our Love Go', 'Baby Love' and 'Come See About Me.'
Diana Ross' solo career
In 1970, Diana Ross went solo, releasing the US number-one hit 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' as her debut single. Since then, her fame has skyrocketed, with 27 of her 116 singles reaching the Billboard Top 40 in the US, 12 of them the Billboard Top 10, and six of them peaking at Number 1. This makes Diana Ross among the top five female solo performers who have reached the top spot that many times.
Has she been in any films?
There's no underestimating Diana Ross's talents, as in 1972, she ventured into the film industry with great success. For her performance in Lady Sings the Blues, she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award. She also recorded its soundtrack, which went to Number 1.
In 1975, she starred in Mahogany and three years later in The Wiz, alongside Michael Jackson. In 1994, Diana Ross also featured in Out of Darkness, in which she was again nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
How many albums has she released?
Diana Ross has released an incredible 26 studio albums, starting with 'Diana Ross' in 1970, all the way up to 'Thank You' in 2021 - which marked her first album of original material since 'Every Day Is a New Day' in 1999. 'Thank You' was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2023 Grammys.
Between this time, she also released various compilation albums, including 'Diamond Diana: The Legacy Collection' in 2017 and 'Supertonic: Mixes' in 2020, yielding a grand total of 30 compilation albums.
Has she ever been married?
Diana Ross has been married and has five children. She welcomed her eldest daughter, Rhonda Suzanne, with Motown CEO Berry Gordy. She married her first husband, music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, in 1971. The pair have two daughters together, actress Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Lane Silberstein, however divorced in 1977.
In 1985, Diana met Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Næss Jr and married him in 1986. They have two sons together, Ross Arne and Evan Olav, but the pair divorced in 2000.
Is Diana Ross still performing?
Yes! Diana Ross is very much still performing live and remains a huge draw on the touring circuit. In recent years she has played multiple world tours, including runs in 2019, 2022 and 2023–2024, plus a Las Vegas residency titled 'Diana Ross: An Extraordinary Evening' showcasing her biggest Motown and solo hits.
She performed at major events such as Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Concert and the Sunday legends slot at Glastonbury 2022, and in 2023 made headlines when she joined Beyoncé on stage during the RENAISSANCE World Tour in Los Angeles to lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday for Beyoncé’s 42nd.
In 2025 she embarked on her 'A Symphonic Celebration' UK and EU arena tour across all major cities - with full orchestras and a career-spanning setlist featuring 'I’m Coming Out', 'Baby Love', 'Chain Reaction', 'Endless Love' and 'Ain’t No Mountain High Enough'.
In 2026, Diana launched her 'Diana in Motion' tour, with US theatre and casino dates plus international shows in Europe and Japan - performing classics such as 'Upside Down', 'It’s My House', 'Love Hangover/Take Me Higher/Ease on Down the Road', 'The Boss' and 'Reach Out' and 'Touch (Somebody’s Hand)'.
Diana Ross at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert
In May 2022, the full line-up of artists due to perform at the Platinum Party at the Palace was announced, including Queen and Adam Lambert, Duran Duran, Elton John, and Diana Ross.
Following a number of incredible performances, Diana closed the prestigious show with some of her biggest songs including 'Chain Reaction', 'Thank You', and 'No Mountain High Enough'.
Speaking about her part in the concert, she commented: "Her Majesty has and continues to be such an incredible inspiration to so many across the world and I was absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous and historic occasion".
The concert took place on 4th June to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign.
How can I listen to her greatest hits?
You can hear Diana Ross' biggest hits on Greatest Hits Radio 70s! We also play amazing tracks from the biggest artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
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