Ross and Richie recorded the song for Motown, and it was used as the theme for the film Endless Love starring Brooke Shields. Produced by Richie and arranged by Gene Page, Endless Love became the second biggest-selling single of the year in the U.S., staying at number 1 for nine weeks. The soulful composition became the biggest-selling single of Ross' career and her 18th career number-one single, but her last hit on Motown. It was one of several hits for Richie as the 1980s progressed, and led to an Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination for him. It also won a 1982 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single.
You Can't Hurry Love
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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,
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,
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.
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,
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,
She said love don't come easy,
It's a game of give and take
No matter how long it takes.
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,
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
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" by Diana Ross & The Supremes is an enduring classic about the anticipation of love and the importance of waiting patiently for it. It talks about the singer's yearning for true love and the difficulties in finding it. The song describes the universal human experience of longing for a meaningful romantic relationship, but also the wisdom of taking the time to find the right person.
The song conveys the message that love is not something that can be rushed or forced. The chorus repeats the phrase "You can't hurry love" as a mantra, reminding us that it's worth waiting for the right person to come along. The song also emphasizes the importance of trust and giving love time to develop. The lyrics suggest that a successful relationship requires both partners to be willing to give and take equally.
Moreover, the song's lyrics are based on a larger concept in life than love. Each line has its own meaning, offering snippets of wisdom for anyone facing tough times. The song’s theme can be connected to almost any period in life from attempting to make a career work to other things a person might attempt to force into place against their will.
Line by Line Meaning
I need love, love to ease my mind,
I require love to alleviate my anxiety.
I need to find, find someone to call mine,
I need to discover someone who belongs to me.
But mama said you can't hurry love,
My mother told me love must be given time and cannot be rushed.
No you just have to wait,
There is no choice but to be patient.
She said love don't come easy,
Mother indicates that love is not readily obtainable.
It's a game of give and take.
A relationship requires equal efforts from both partners.
No, you just have to wait,
Being impatient will not hasten the arrival of love.
You gotta trust, give it time,
Trust in the process and be willing to wait patiently.
No matter how long it takes;
Love may take longer than expected, and that should be accepted.
But how many heartaches must I stand
How many disappointments must one endure?
Before I find a love to let me live again.
Before I discover a love that rejuvenates me.
Right now the only thing that keeps me hanging on,
Currently, my only support is the prospect of love.
When I feel my strength, yeah, it's almost gone,
When my will is faltering.
I remember mama said,
The reminder of my mother's advice is helpful.
How long must I wait how much more can I take,
How much longer and how much more can I endure?
Before loneliness will 'cause my heart, heart to break?
Before isolation causes my heart to break.
No, I can't bear to live my life alone.
I cannot imagine living my life without a partner.
I grow impatient for a love to call my own,
I am increasingly desperate for a love that is solely mine.
But when I feel that I, I can't go on,
But when I am at my lowest point.
These precious words keeps me hanging on,
These invaluable words provide emotional support.
Can't hurry love,
Love cannot be rushed.
No you just have to wait,
Patience is required.
She said trust, give it time
Trusting the process and being patient is key.
No matter how long it takes.
Regardless of how long it may take, it is worth waiting for.
No love, love don't come easy,
Love is not easily achieved.
But I keep on waiting, anticipating for that
But I persist in waiting, eagerly awaiting
Soft voice to talk to me at night,
A caring and gentle voice to converse with at night.
For some tender arms to hold me tight.
For somebody to embrace me warmly.
I keep waiting; I keep on waiting,
I keep waiting patiently.
But it ain't easy, it ain't easy when mama said
But it is not easy when my mother said
It's a game of give and take.
A relationship requires equal efforts from both partners.
You can't hurry love
Love cannot be rushed.
You just have to wait,
Patience is required.
She said love don't come easy
Mother indicates that love is not readily obtainable.
It's a game of give and take.
A relationship requires equal efforts from both partners.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theboyfromxtown
Listen to the audience singing too....how heartwarming.
@kurtsupreme
Oh, my ears! She sure is murdering this! Thank God for the band and the phony "Supremes" providing the background harmony! Diane's voice is completely shot! She has some nerve singing the songs of the legendary trio!
@terrafirma91
She looks, and sounds better with age.
@dt3223
@DanLuvsDiana IT'S ON HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT ALREADY!:) went to see her in palm springs a few weeks back. she opened with The Boss!!! SHE WAS FAB!!!
@kurtsupreme
Paul51 I am a fan of the legendary Supremes! As I recall, Diane was ONE of them! She should sing her OWN songs from her solo career and leave the songs of the legendary trio to the annuls of history! When she cackles like a hen as she does here, it ruins my memories of this legendary song and the trio that made it a classic!
@Immaculate201
Wish she can move the beat!
@kurtsupreme
Paul51 Truthfully, I'd prefer that neither of them sing those songs! Neither Mary or Diane can conjure the essence of the legendary trio...........the legend of the Supremes is greater than the sum of it's parts.............both Ladies are merely parts of something bigger and greater than themselves, the legendary Supremes. In no more than 10 or 15 years, both will be dead! Who will sing those songs then? No one! Let's pretend that time is now!