On this day in 1965 Diana Ross and the Supremes laid down the initial track that became their famous song ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’. The classic song was recorded in Studio A of Hitsville U.S.A.
The origin of the song can be traced to a fight between songwriter Lamont Dozier and his girlfriend. Dozier was one third of the prolific songwriting team known as Holland-Dozier-Holland that included brothers Brian and Eddie Holland.
According to Dozier, his girlfriend had had enough of his flirtatious ways, and she was making it clear. In an effort to slap Dozier, she fell to the floor. The songwriter’s immediate defense was to stifle laughter and suggest that she “Stop! In the Name of Love.”
Probably not the wisest approach but it seemed to work.
For his part, Lamont Dozier admits to being facetious. He also knew he was in serious trouble. While she rightfully pursued her argument, the songwriter continued by saying.
Hold it for a minute. Did you hear a cash register? Is that a hit title?”
Lamont Dozier
The couple’s quarrel did indeed STOP, and Lamont Dozier immediately took the title to his songwriting partner Brian Holland, who came up with additional lyrics and the musical hook.
Diana Ross and the Supremes recorded the song over three recording sessions in the early part of 1965. ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ was released as a single on February 8, 1965, and as part of The Supremes album ‘More Hits by the Supremes’ in July of the same year. Yet another smash for the Motown label.
‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ was nominated for a 1966 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Rock and Roll Group Vocal Performance but lost to the Statler Brothers.
As much as the song was a hit, the choreography associated to The Supremes live delivery became a talking point. The outstretched hand that indicted the ‘Stop’ gesture was seen as a sign of strength for women. Here is the famous performance from the ABC program ‘Shindig’ a couple of weeks following the song’s release.
‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ was very much a group effort. While Diana Ross was in the spotlight as the lead vocalist, the backing vocals by the supremely talented Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard remain as a musical standard. The talent continues with the Andantes that included, Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps. As always, the musical accompaniment was provided by the Funk Brothers. Above and beyond the more salient elements of the song, listeners were treated with yet another example of the Holland-Dozier- Holland songwriting magic.
Here is a list of several other Ted Tocks Covers featuring Holland-Dozier-Holland compositions.
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
Moving on, over five decades, the release date for ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’; February 8 took on a sad and ironic twist when the longest serving Supreme, Mary Wilson passed away on this day in 2021. She died in her sleep as a result of hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Her death was clearly unexpected because she had been discussing a new release that she planned to unveil on her birthday, March 6. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vocalist would have turned 77.
Not surprisingly, there have been many quality covers of ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ since the original Supremes version was released. One of the first was done by the great Billy Preston in 1965 on his album ‘A Million Dollars Worth of Music: Early Hits of 1965’. The instrumental cover was released as part of Preston’s third solo album. He was 19 years old at the time. Billy Preston has become very prominent in recent months as a result of the Peter Jackson ‘Get Back’ documentary which chronicles the Beatles ‘Let it Be’ recording sessions.
In 1983, The Hollies reunited to record an album known as ‘What Goes Around’. Their cover of ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ became the group’s last U.S. hit single, making it to #29 on the Billboard charts.
Continuing with the concept of covers of Motown classics, Latoya Jackson released an album appropriately called ‘Stop in the Name of Love’ in 1995. Her cover of ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ was just one of several quality covers on this release.
This is an interesting duet. It features Diana Ross with Mariah Carey performing as ‘Divas Live’. This is a fun combination of ‘Baby Love’ and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’.
The adoration of Diana Ross and the Supremes is clearly global. This is an interesting techno dance version of ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ by the popular Japanese band Globe twenty years ago.
My vote for best cover version of ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ goes to Michael Des Barres and the Mistakes. This is from their 2019 release which featured ‘Crackle and Hiss’ as the A – side and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ as the B – side. Here is Des Barres summarizing this project in his own words.
We play very loud and we make lots of Mistakes.”
Michael Des Barres
All I can think of as I type away and listen to the music of The Supremes, and the many acts that they inspired is this music makes me feel good…happy. It’s like everything is right with the world. As much as it clearly is not, music does provide a brief escape. Sometimes that is enough.
So, by all means, retreat. Explore, and enjoy. We will come out of this mess better and stronger…together. In the name of love.
Ted Tocks Covers 
2 thoughts on “Stop! In the Name of Love – Trying hard to be patient. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #DianaRossandtheSupremes #MaryWilson #LamontDozier #BrianHolland #BillyPreston #TheHollies #LatoyaJackson #Globe #MichaelDesBarres”