In the vibrant 1980s music, Starship, formerly known as Jefferson Starship and Jefferson Airplane, soared to new heights with their hit songs, defining an era with their catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. Among these hits, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” emerged as a chart-topping anthem of love and determination, but it also marked the end of an era for the band and its iconic lead singer, Grace Slick.
In 1987, Starship released “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” a powerful ballad penned by renowned songwriters Diane Warren and Albert Hammond.
The song, featured in the romantic comedy film Mannequin, captured the essence of unwavering love. Sung as a duet by Slick and her bandmate Mickey Thomas, the song quickly climbed the charts, reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and several other countries.
The story behind “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” adds depth to its meaning. Albert Hammond drew inspiration from his own love life, crafting the song as a wedding gift for his new bride after a divorce. The sincerity of the lyrics resonated with audiences, turning it into an enduring love anthem. The song’s success marked a significant milestone for both Starship and songwriter Diane Warren, who had already made her mark in the music industry.
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However, despite the song’s popularity and commercial success, it also marked the beginning of the end for Grace Slick’s journey with Starship.
A year after the song’s release, in 1988, Slick parted ways with the band. At the time, she was in her late 40s, a decade older than most of her bandmates, which led to a natural divergence in perspectives.
Slick’s departure from the band was bittersweet, and her sentiments about the song reflected her internal conflict. She confessed,
“I don’t like to sing songs where I don’t believe the lyrics.” Slick found it challenging to perform a love anthem when she, at her age, understood the complexities of relationships and their potential to unravel swiftly.
She elaborated,
“I know goddamn well how fast a relationship can come apart. So I’m getting up onstage and I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, right.’ It’s distracting and disconcerting to me.”
Despite her reservations, the song continued to be a fan favorite.
In an unexpected turn of events, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” found new life in 2017 when it was featured in a Chick-fil-A advertisement during the Grammy Awards. Grace Slick agreed to allow the song’s use, but with a purpose. She donated the profits from the advertisement to Lambda Legal, an organization supporting the LGBTQ community. This decision was a powerful response to the Chick-fil-A CEO’s anti-LGBTQ comments, reaffirming Slick’s commitment to social causes and standing up for what she believed in.
In retrospect, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” stands not only as a timeless love ballad but also as a symbol of resilience and empowerment.