Michelle Goulet’s “Stop & Think”: A Lost ’80s Musical Gem

It’s #SongLyricsSunday! This week’s prompt is to find a song or lyrics with “mind/brain/think”. What a perfect prompt to introduce one of my favorite songs to sing: Michelle Goulet’s 1986 single “Stop & Think”. Although an unknown synthpop single from the 80s, this track did appear on a smash-hit 80s TV show. Which show? Let’s read on to find out!

Stop Stop Stop

“Stop & Think” was the debut single released by American singer Michelle Goulet. Not much is known about Goulet except that was signed onto a major label, Island Records, and she was a session singer. She sang with various artists like Was (Not Was). Goulet released one album and three singles between 1986 and 1988. After that, she was dropped from her label and just disappeared.

There are actually three versions of “Stop & Think”. The first version is the original that was released in 1983 by the Philadelphian disco girl group The Ritchie Family. Then, there is Michelle Goulet’s version that was released in 1986. And then, the final version was released the same year as Goulet’s version but by a different artist, Fire on Blonde (which would sing the original version of “Bounce Back”, that Alisha — who I just talked about a couple of weeks ago — would later cover!)

None of the versions ever proved popular to rank on any of the charts in the US, UK, Europe, or Japan. However, Michelle Goulet’s version appeared in the episode “Baby Blues” in season three of the smash-hit American 80s cop drama Miami Vice. After I write this blog post, I am going to watch that episode to find “Stop & Think”.

For anyone that is curious, “Stop & Think” was written by Larry Cox, Bill Purse, Michael O’Connor, and Terry Mace. Larry Cox has only written a few songs for artists like The Ritchie Family, Klique, and Stacy Lattisaw. Bill Purse has written for Teri DeSario. Terry Mace released a few singles in the 80s.

What Do You Think

I always love Michelle Goulet’s version of “Stop & Think” because I love the high energy, her vocals, and the addictive vocal melodies. I really love the pre-chorus part as it is my favorite part to sing. I always love singing this song, it is such a great synthpop gem.

How about you: what do you think of the song? Listen to it below (and the many versions too) and let me know what you think in the comments!

Here is the original version by The Ritchie Family:

And, the Fire on Blondie version:

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Lyrics for Michelle Goulet’s “Stop & Think”

Stop stop stop
Gonna lose everything we got
Think think think
We got so much for stake

Stop stop stop
Do you want my love or not
Think think think
Don’t let a good thing get away

No use lying, I’ve been on to you for some time
You’ve been staying by the love that was mine
You keep saying that you’re living for me, darling
But what you giving me just wasn’t in the bargain, baby

Baby, what’s come over you
I thought we were tight
How can I get through to you?
When you checkin’ out a new love every night

Stop stop stop
Gonna lose everything we got
Think think think
We got so much for stake

Stop stop stop
Do you want my love or not
Think think think
Don’t let a good thing get away

I’m through asking that you move your pain or pleasure
We can work this out, please stop playing a game
Love is easy but so hard to get together
Slow down long enough to tell me where we stand

Baby, what’s come over you
I thought we were tight
How can I get through to you?
When you checkin’ out a new love every night

Stop stop stop
Gonna lose everything we got
Think think think
We got so much for stake

Stop stop stop
Do you want my love or not
Think think think
Don’t let a good thing get away

Baby, what’s come over you
I thought we were tight
How can I get through to you?
When you checkin’ out a new love every night

Stop stop stop
Gonna lose everything we got
Think think think
We got so much for stake

Stop stop stop
Do you want my love or not
Think think think
Don’t let a good thing get away

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The Rules

If you want to participate, here are the rules:

• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.

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