About the Song
“You Can’t Hurry Love” was released by The Supremes on September 10, 1966, and quickly became another monumental hit for the group. Written by the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland team, the song was the first single from the album The Supremes A’ Go-Go. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and also reached #1 on the R&B charts. The song’s success was part of the trio’s incredible run of 12 No. 1 singles in just over five years, between 1964 and 1969.
At the time of its release, Motown’s expectations were extremely high. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, had made it clear that only Top 10 hits would be acceptable, and for The Supremes—who had already established themselves as a chart-dominating force—the bar was set even higher. The group’s success continued with “You Can’t Hurry Love,” which raced up the charts, moving from #66 to #1 in just five weeks.
The song, with its catchy melody and empowering message about the patience required for love, became one of The Supremes’ most enduring hits.
Legacy
“You Can’t Hurry Love” is considered one of the defining songs of the 1960s. It was a commercial success and has remained a beloved track, often regarded as one of the group’s signature songs. The single helped maintain The Supremes’ status as one of the most influential acts of the era, and it further solidified their place in music history as the first American group to have 12 No. 1 hits. The song remains a classic of the Motown sound and continues to be celebrated for its infectious rhythm and timeless message.
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 gotta 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 hanging on
When I feel my strength, yeah, it’s almost gone
I remember mama said
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 hanging on
I remember mama said
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 (gotta wait)
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 (give and take)
But it ain’t easy, it ain’t easy when mama said
You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said 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
You can’t hurry love
No, you just have to wait
Mama said just give it timeAdvertisementAdvertisement
