The Supremes spent more than a decade releasing hit after hit. Made up of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross, The Supremes quickly became known for their uptempo, feel-good tunes. Among the groupโs many hits are these four songs, which still make me want to dance today, even after all these years.
โYou Canโt Hurry Loveโ
Released in 1966, โYou Canโt Hurry Loveโ is part of The Supremes A’ Go-Go record. Written by songwriting trio Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland, โYou Canโt Hurry Loveโ became a two-week No. 1 single for The Supremes.
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The uptempo tune says, โYou 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.”
โYou Canโt Hurry Loveโ has been covered multiple times, including by Phil Collins, who had a hit single with the song in 1983.ย
โBaby Loveโ
The Supremesโ second No. 1 single, โBaby Loveโ was also written by Dozier, Holland, and Holland. It appeared on Where Did Our Love Go, The Supremesโ sophomore album.
It may sound like a sweet love song, but โBaby Loveโ is actually about a relationship that is having its challenges. The chorus says, โ’Cause baby love, my baby love / Been missing ya, miss kissing ya / Instead of breaking up / Let’s do some kissing and making up / Don’t throw our love away / In my arms, why don’t you stay?“
โBaby Loveโ gave The Supremes the first of their two Grammy nominations. They were nominated for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording for this song. The trophy that year went to Nancy Wilson for โHow Glad I Amโ instead.
“Love Child”
The title track of a record that came out in 1968, this hit single was written by R. Dean Taylor, Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer, and Deke Richards. Interestingly, the four songwriters were told to write a hit for The Supremes, who were by now going as Diana Ross & The Supremes. Their previous four singles did not make it to the top of the charts, prompting their label to focus on the group having another massive hit.
“Love Child” says, “Love child, never meant to be / Love child, born in poverty / Love child, never meant to be. Love child, take a look at me.”
โStop! In The Name Of Loveโ
One of The Supremesโ most notable songs, โStop! In The Name Of Loveโ is part of their More Hits By The Supremes record. Also written by Dozier, Holland, and Holland, โStop! In The Name Of Loveโ hit No. 1 on both Billboardโs Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
The chorus says, โStop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over.“
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