It was 1987 neon lights glowed in city windows, synthesizers filled the airwaves, and love stories were larger than life.
Amid this electric decade, one song rose above the rest, capturing the heart of a generation: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship.
The song wasn’t just a chart-topping hit it was an anthem of hope, a promise wrapped in melody, and the emotional heartbeat of the cult-classic romantic comedy “Mannequin.”
The Birth of a Power Ballad
Behind the magic of “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” was a story almost as unlikely as the movie it defined.
In the mid-80s, Starship led by Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas was searching for something new. The band had already evolved from the legendary Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, and they wanted a sound that was both emotional and cinematic.
Enter songwriter Albert Hammond, who found inspiration in his own personal life. After years of waiting, he was finally about to marry his longtime partner — but only after his divorce was finalized. Reflecting on that moment of perseverance and love against obstacles, Hammond penned the immortal line:
“Nothing’s gonna stop us now.”
Teaming up with the brilliant lyricist Diane Warren, they created a song that felt both deeply personal and universally uplifting. It was about love that endured storms, faith that outlasted fear, and the kind of devotion that could build an entire world together.
When Starship first heard it, they knew instantly: this wasn’t just a song.
It was a declaration.
“Mannequin” The Movie That Made It Immortal
The perfect song needed a perfect story and it found one in “Mannequin.”
Released in 1987, the film told the bizarre yet heartwarming tale of a struggling artist named Jonathan Switcher (played by Andrew McCarthy) who falls in love with a mannequin that comes to life portrayed by the radiant Kim Cattrall.
It was whimsical, strange, and unapologetically romantic. Jonathan’s love was pure imagination and yet, the audience believed it. The mannequin, animated by his passion, became a symbol of love’s ability to make the impossible possible.
The Soundtrack to Every Dream
From the moment it hit the airwaves, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” became a global phenomenon.
It soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, stayed there for weeks, and topped charts around the world from the UK to South Africa to Canada.
The song earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and solidified Starship’s place in pop history.
The Power of Two Voices
One of the most unforgettable things about the song is the duet between Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick.
Mickey’s voice carried the fire passionate, soaring, almost pleading. Grace’s voice brought the strength deep, grounded, and commanding.
Together, they created a perfect balance the sound of two people standing shoulder to shoulder against the world.
When they sang:
“And if this world runs out of lovers, we’ll still have each other…”
you could feel the truth of it. It wasn’t just a lyric. It was a vow.
Grace Slick later called it one of her favorite performances her final major hit before she retired from rock music in the late 1980s.
It was, in a way, her farewell to an era and what a farewell it was.
