You know that feeling when a song starts and you're instantly transported back to a specific year? For many, there's no stopping us right now song—formally known as "There's No Stopping Us" by Ollie & Jerry—is that exact time machine. It’s the sound of 1984. It’s the sound of cardboard boxes on street corners, neon headbands, and the absolute explosion of breakdancing into the mainstream consciousness.
It's a vibe.
Most people remember it from the cult classic film Breakin', which, let’s be honest, wasn't exactly winning Oscars for its screenplay. But the music? The music was something else entirely. It captured a moment when street culture and studio polish collided in a way that felt dangerous, fresh, and incredibly optimistic.
The Story Behind the Beat
Ollie E. Brown and Jerry Knight weren't just two guys who got lucky. They were seasoned pros. Ollie was a drummer who had played with legends like Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Knight had been a member of the R&B group Raydio. When they teamed up for the Breakin' soundtrack, they weren't trying to make a historical document. They were trying to make a hit.
And they did.
The song peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Think about that for a second. A song explicitly about the breakdancing subculture cracked the top ten in an era dominated by Prince, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen. It worked because it utilized the Roland TR-808 drum machine in a way that felt futuristic but grounded in a heavy funk groove.
Why the "Breakin'" Connection Matters
You can't talk about there's no stopping us right now song without talking about Turbo and Ozone. The movie Breakin' (or Breakdance in some territories) was a massive success relative to its tiny budget. It brought the "Electric Boogaloo" style to suburban kids who had never even seen a subway train, let alone a dance battle.
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The song served as the anthem for this movement. It provided the rhythmic backbone for the final dance sequence where the "street" dancers finally get the respect of the "establishment." It’s a bit cliché now, sure. But back then? It felt like a revolution.
The lyrics are actually pretty simple. They talk about momentum. They talk about the refusal to be held back by skeptics. It’s the quintessential underdog theme, packaged in a glossy, synth-heavy production that makes you want to attempt a windmill (and probably fail).
The Controversy You Probably Didn't Know About
Here’s the thing: music history is messy. If you listen to "There's No Stopping Us" and then immediately play Ray Parker Jr.’s "Ghostbusters," you’re going to notice something. They sound... similar. Really similar.
There was a whole legal saga involving Huey Lewis and Ray Parker Jr. over "Ghostbusters" sounding like "I Want a New Drug." But many critics and musicologists have pointed out that Ollie & Jerry’s track shares a remarkably similar DNA with that same era of mid-80s synth-funk. It was a specific "sound" of the time—heavy on the synthesized basslines and punctuated by bright, staccato horn hits (even if they were played on a keyboard).
Music isn't created in a vacuum. Ollie and Jerry were swimming in the same sonic waters as everyone else in 1984.
Technical Brilliance in Simplicity
What makes there's no stopping us right now song stand out even decades later is the production quality. A lot of 80s tracks sound "thin" by today's standards. This one doesn't.
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- The Bassline: It’s a driving, syncopated synth-bass that never lets up.
- The Vocals: Jerry Knight’s delivery is soulful but has that pop precision that was necessary for radio play at the time.
- The Tempo: It’s set at a perfect BPM for "popping and locking." It isn't too fast, allowing for the isolation movements that define that dance style.
The song basically engineered a bridge between the raw hip-hop emerging from the Bronx and the polished R&B coming out of Los Angeles. It was a commercial pivot point. It proved that "street" sounds could be sanitized just enough for Top 40 radio without losing their soul entirely.
Does It Still Hold Up?
Honestly? Yes.
Go to any "80s night" at a club or a wedding, and when that opening synth riff kicks in, the energy changes. It has a high-energy, "let's go" quality that is hard to replicate. Modern synth-wave artists like The Midnight or Kavinsky clearly draw inspiration from the textures found in tracks like this.
But there’s also a level of nostalgia that acts as a powerful drug. For Gen X and older Millennials, this song represents a period of intense creativity and the birth of a global dance culture. It wasn't just a song; it was a lifestyle.
Common Misconceptions About the Track
People often think this was a one-hit-wonder situation for the duo. While Ollie & Jerry didn't have another massive pop crossover hit like this, they remained incredibly influential behind the scenes.
Another mistake? People often confuse it with other songs from the era that have similar titles. No, it’s not "Nothin's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship. That’s a power ballad. This is a dance-floor heater. Don't mix them up at your next trivia night unless you want to lose points.
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Also, some people assume the song was written for the breakdancing scene. While it was used for the movie, the themes of unstoppable momentum are universal. It’s been used in countless sports montages and motivational clips because, frankly, the hook is undeniable.
The Legacy of Ollie & Jerry
Ollie E. Brown’s career is a masterclass in versatility. Before the there's no stopping us right now song era, he was the guy the greats called when they needed a rock-solid pocket. Jerry Knight, sadly, passed away in 1996, but his work on this track and with Raydio ensures he’s remembered as a foundational piece of the 80s R&B puzzle.
They managed to capture lightning in a bottle. They took a subculture that many adults at the time thought was a "passing fad" and gave it a permanent, platinum-selling soundtrack.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific sound or want to use this track in your own creative work, here are a few things to consider:
- Listen to the Instrumentals: If you can find the 12-inch vocal or dub versions, do it. The production nuances—the way the delays hit on the percussion—are a masterclass in early 80s analog-digital hybrid recording.
- Study the Choreography: Watch the original Breakin' film. Even if the acting is "of its time," the dancing is world-class. Seeing how the movements sync with the specific hits in the song will give you a much deeper appreciation for the arrangement.
- Explore the Soundtrack: The Breakin' OST is a goldmine. It features tracks by Chaka Khan and Re-Flex. It’s a perfect primer for anyone interested in the transition from disco to electronic dance music.
- Use It for Motivation: Seriously. Add it to your workout playlist. There is a psychological reason these high-tempo 80s tracks work—they are designed to maintain a consistent heart rate and provide a sense of forward motion.
The reality is that there's no stopping us right now song isn't just a piece of nostalgia. It’s a reminder of a time when the world felt like it was moving faster, getting brighter, and dancing harder. It's about that specific brand of 1980s optimism that said, "If we just keep moving, we can't be caught."
Whether you're a crate-digger looking for the perfect sample or just someone who wants to relive the glory days of the parachute pant, this track remains the gold standard. It’s loud, it’s proud, and forty years later, it still feels like it’s just getting started.
Next Steps for the Reader
To truly appreciate the era, track down a high-quality FLAC or vinyl rip of the Breakin' soundtrack. Digital compression often loses the "thump" of the original 808 kick drum that made this song a club staple. Compare the radio edit to the extended club mix to see how Ollie & Jerry built tension through repetitive synth loops—a technique that would later become a foundational element of House and Techno music.