“Stop! In the Name Of Love” by The Supremes is one of those songs we all know and love. The song comes from a pivotal time in music history. The sixties were an exciting decade for commercially-released music. Labels like Motown, featuring R&B and Soul artists, began putting out songs that spoke of issues related to ordinary people.

Read on to find out more about this iconic song

The Story Behind “Stop! In the Name Of Love”

• “Stop! In the Name Of Love” was written and produced by the Motown team known as Holland/Dozier/Holland. These are the last names of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland.
• The name of the song reportedly came from an argument Dozier had with his girlfriend.
• The title is a play on the phrase, “Stop in the name of the law” in which Dozier pleads with his girlfriend, “think it over.” After the song became a hit, the girlfriend came back.
• “Stop! In the Name Of Love” is the fourth song in a string of five number one hits written, produced and performed by The Supremes and the Motown label.
• Having signed all three of The Supremes to perform independently and interchangeably for the Motown label, Holland/Dozier/Holland soon discovered their chemistry and potential commercial success as a “girl band” when they put Diana Ross as the lead singer in a new rock band called The Supremes.
• “Stop! In the Name Of Love” and the album was nominated for the Grammy for Best Contemporary Rock & Roll Group Vocal Performance in 1966, but lost to the Statler Brothers.

Lyrics: 

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart

Baby, baby

I’m aware of where you go

Each time you leave my door

I watch you walk down the street

Knowing your other love you’ll meet

But this time before you run to her

Leaving me alone and hurt

(Think it over) After I’ve been good to you

(Think it over) After I’ve been sweet to you

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart

Think it over

Think it over

I’ve known of your

Your secluded nights

I’ve even seen her

Maybe once or twice

But is her sweet expression

Worth more than my love and affection?

But this time before you leave my arms

And rush off to her charms

(Think it over) Haven’t I been good to you?

(Think it over) Haven’t I been sweet to you?

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart

Think it over

Think it over

I’ve tried so hard, hard to be patient

Hoping you’ll stop this infatuation

But each time you are together

I’m so afraid I’ll be losing you forever

Stop! In the name of love

Before you break my heart, baby, think it over

(Stop! In the name of love) Think it over, baby

(Before you break my heart) Ooh, think it over baby