The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love

About The Song

You Can’t Hurry Love: A Journey Through Time and Harmony

“You Can’t Hurry Love” isn’t just a catchy tune – it’s a sonic snapshot of a pivotal era. Released in 1966 by The Supremes, the song transcended its pop facade to become a cultural touchstone, echoing themes of female empowerment, social change, and the universal yearning for love.

Its roots lie in the Motown magic of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the songwriting trio responsible for many Supremes hits. Inspired by Diana Ross’s frustration with a stalled romance, they crafted a message that resonated far beyond the realm of personal longing. “You can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait,” they sang, their voices a tapestry of sass and sweetness. It was an anthem for young women navigating a world where societal expectations and personal desires often clashed.

The song’s impact wasn’t immediate. Initially deemed too slow by Motown executives, it was only after DJs and audiences embraced it that it became an unstoppable force. Reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart, it held its top spot for weeks, solidifying The Supremes’ reign as Motown royalty.

But “You Can’t Hurry Love” transcended charts and awards. It became a soundtrack for social change, a rallying cry for patience and perseverance in the face of racial injustice and burgeoning feminist ideals. Its message resonated with a generation yearning for progress, reminding them that meaningful change, like true love, unfolds in its own time.

Today, “You Can’t Hurry Love” remains a timeless classic. Covered by countless artists, sampled in hip-hop tracks, and featured in films and commercials, its melody and message continue to captivate. It’s a reminder that love, in all its forms, deserves patience, that true connection unfolds organically, and sometimes, the greatest things in life are worth the wait.

So, let the music wash over you, let the message resonate. Remember, love isn’t a race, it’s a journey. And as The Supremes so eloquently remind us, you can’t hurry love.

Video

Lyrics

I need love, love
To ease my mind
I need to find, find someone to call mine
But mama said

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don’t come easy
It’s a game of give and take

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
You got to trust, give it time
No matter how long it takes

But how many heartaches
Must I stand before I find a love
To let me live again
Right now the only thing
That keeps me hangin’ on
When I feel my strength, yeah
It’s almost gone
I remember mama said:

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don’t come easy
It’s a game of give and take

How long must I wait
How much more can I take
Before loneliness will cause my heart
Heart to break?

No I can’t bear to live my life alone
I grow impatient for a love to call my own
But when I feel that I, I can’t go on
These precious words keeps me hangin’ on
I remember mama said:

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don’t come easy
It’s a game of give and take

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said trust, give it time
No matter how long it takes

No, love, love don’t come easy
But I keep on waiting
Anticipating for that soft voice
To talk to me at night
For some tender arms
To hold me tight
I keep waiting
I keep on waiting
But it ain’t easy
It ain’t easy
But mama said:

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said to trust, give it time
No matter how long it takes

You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don’t come easy
It’s a game of give and take
[repeat and fade]