Hard to believe I’ve done a couple dozen Motown songs and a handful of Supremes songs and I’m only now getting around to this one.
I wonder if there’s another song so identified with a specific gesture (or dance move) as this one is with the outstretched arm/flat hand move the ladies did every time they performed it. ‘Walk Like an Egyptian?’ Although that was more the people in the video than The Bangles themselves. Perhaps the MC Hammer hand gesture that accompanied ‘2 Legit 2 Quit?’ I jest.
Lamont Dozier, who wrote this song, came up with the title when his girlfriend was walking out on him after a fight and he yelled it to keep her from leaving. It was great way to break the tension and the seeds of one of Motown’s best-loved songs.
And here’s another song that starts with the chorus, for those keeping track.
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 been good to you……
(Think it over) After 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 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’d 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
Before you break my heart
think it over baby
Stop! In the name of love
Before you break my heart
Baby, think it over
Think it over, baby
Ooh, think it over baby…
Meet Me In Montauk 
Look at the album cover you featured and tell me Michael Jackson didn’t just hand that to his plastic surgeon and say, “Make me look just like that.” Creepy!
Great song; great hand movement. Still, I can’t help but wish we could suspend Motown weekend to get to the top five songs of the 80’s!! And I do think Dana’s observation is downright scary.