About the song
If you are a fan of Motown music, you probably know the song “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes, one of the most successful girl groups of all time. The song was released in 1966 as the second single from their album “The Supremes A’ Go-Go”, and it became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as a top-five hit in the UK and Australia. But do you know the story behind this catchy and uplifting tune?
The song was written and produced by the legendary Motown team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who were responsible for many of the Supremes’ hits, such as “Baby Love”, “Stop! In the Name of Love”, and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. The songwriters were inspired by a gospel song called “(You Can’t Hurry God) He’s Right on Time” by Dorothy Love Coates, which had a similar message of patience and faith in finding love. They adapted the lyrics to a secular context, and gave them a pop-soul arrangement with a catchy chorus and a driving beat.
The song features the lead vocals of Diana Ross, who was the main singer of the Supremes, along with Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. Ross delivers a confident and optimistic performance, as she sings about her mother’s advice to wait for the right person to come along, instead of rushing into love. The song also showcases the harmonies and background vocals of Wilson and Ballard, who add depth and emotion to the song.
The song was recorded at Motown’s Hitsville U.S.A. studio in Detroit, Michigan, with the help of the Funk Brothers, the house band that played on most of Motown’s records. The musicians included James Jamerson on bass, Benny Benjamin on drums, Robert White on guitar, Earl Van Dyke on piano, Jack Ashford on tambourine, and Eddie Willis on percussion. The song was mixed by Motown’s chief engineer Lawrence Horn, who gave it a crisp and clear sound.
The song was released on July 25, 1966, and it quickly climbed up the charts, reaching number one on September 10. It stayed at the top spot for two weeks, becoming the Supremes’ seventh number-one single in the US. It also reached number three in the UK, number four in Australia, and number one in Canada. The song was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over one million copies in the US.
The song was also a critical success, receiving praise from music critics and fans alike. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording in 1967, but lost to “Crying Time” by Ray Charles. It was also ranked at number 19 on Billboard’s list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time in 2017.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Phil Collins, who had a number-one hit with his version in 1983. Other notable covers include those by Dixie Chicks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Stray Cats, The Concretes, and Kidz Bop Kids.
“You Can’t Hurry Love” is a timeless song that celebrates the joy and hope of finding true love. It is one of Motown’s most iconic songs, and one of the Supremes’ finest achievements. It is a song that reminds us that sometimes we just have to wait for love to find us.