“You Can’t Hurry Love” is easily one of The Supremes’ most famous hits. The song was written by the songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland and became one of their many number 1 hits. In 1982, Phil Collins released a cover of the song, which became a chart-topper in the UK. In this article, we will dive into the story and meaning behind the song “You Can’t Hurry Love”.
The Story Behind the Song
“You Can’t Hurry Love” was written by Motown’s most successful songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland were responsible for shaping Motown’s sound in the 1960s and wrote over 25 US top 10 hits, including 13 number 1 hits. The trio was the main songwriting team for the Four Tops and The Supremes.
By the time The Supremes released “You Can’t Hurry Love”, Holland-Dozier-Holland already wrote 6 US number 1 hits for the girl group. The pressure to release yet another number 1 hit was fueled by Motown founder Berry Gordy. “We will release nothing less than Top 10 product on any artist,” Gordy stated in a 1966 memo. “And because the Supremes’ worldwide acceptance is greater than the other artists, on them we will release only No.1 records.”
According to Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland came up with the idea of the song, after which Eddie Holland came up with the title. “The syncopated movement of the melody influenced me to think of that old gospel song, you know, which – I won’t really say what it is,” Eddie Holland said in an interview with NPR. “But all you gospel people out there, you know what it is.”
Although Eddie Holland spoke mysteriously about the gospel song that inspired “You Can’t Hurry Love”, it’s clear the title and lyrics of the song were inspired by Dorothy Love Coates’ “You Can’t Hurry God”.
The Supremes recorded and released “You Can’t Hurry Love” as a single in mid-1966. The song became yet another number 1 hit for Holland-Dozier-Holland and The Supremes, adhering to Berry Gordy’s memo.
The Meaning of the Song
“You Can’t Hurry Love” is a song about the importance of patience when it comes to love and relationships. In the song, the narrator expresses a deep longing for love, but recalls their mother’s wisdom that love cannot be rushed.
In an interview with Performing Songwriter, Lamont Dozier stated the song is about more than just love. “We used love, but we were really saying to take your time, feel your direction, find out where you’re going, study the terrain more before you dash off into an unknown place. You can’t hurry anything.”
Phil Collins’ Cover of You Can’t Hurry Love
In November 1982, Phil Collins released a cover version of “You Can’t Hurry Love”. The song was released as a single and topped the UK charts for two weeks. In the US, the song peaked at number 10.
In an interview with Mojo magazine, Phil Collins stated he covered the song as a ‘tribute to Motown’. “The Motown tracks were always an inspiration. The opening chords and groove of ‘Heatwave’ always sounded like the sun had come out to me. It was so uplifting and positive. Even the names – The Supremes, the Four Tops, The Marvelettes, The Miracles – sound like their glasses are half full!”
In a 2017 interview with Music Business Worldwide, Lamont Dozier stated he appreciated Phil Collins’ version. “He had his own interpretation and his own style. I thought it was well done.”
“You Can’t Hurry Love” was covered by several other artists, including Melanie Safka and the Stray Cats. But one should never forget the song’s original writers, Lamont Dozier and Brian and Eddie Holland.
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