Smokey Robinson, born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He is best known for his work as the founder and frontman of the legendary vocal group The Miracles and for his solo career.
Robinson’s contributions to popular music are immense. With The Miracles, he produced a string of hits for Motown Records in the 1960s, including classics like “Shop Around,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” and “I Second That Emotion.” His smooth tenor voice, coupled with his distinctive falsetto, helped define the Motown sound and solidify The Miracles’ place in music history.
As a solo artist, Robinson continued to enjoy success with hits like “Cruisin’,” “Being with You,” and “Just to See Her.” He also wrote and produced songs for other Motown artists, including The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells, among others.
Beyond his music career, Robinson has been honored with numerous awards, including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He remains an influential figure in the music industry, admired for his talent, creativity, and lasting impact on popular music.
1. The Tracks of My Tears
“The Tracks of My Tears” is a classic soul song co-written by Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin. It was first recorded by The Miracles in 1965 and released as a single. The song became one of the group’s signature tunes and a timeless classic in the realm of soul music.
The lyrics of “The Tracks of My Tears” convey the pain and heartache of hiding one’s true feelings behind a smiling face. The narrator describes putting on a brave front in front of others while suffering from inner turmoil and loneliness. The metaphor of tears leaving tracks on the narrator’s face symbolizes the enduring emotional scars left by heartbreak.
The song features a memorable melody, lush orchestration, and Smokey Robinson’s distinctive falsetto vocals. Its blend of emotional depth and catchy hooks helped it become a major hit, reaching the top of the charts and earning widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Over the years, “The Tracks of My Tears” has been covered by numerous artists from various genres, cementing its status as a classic of American popular music. Its themes of love, loss, and resilience continue to resonate with listeners around the world.
2. Cruisin’
“Cruisin'” is a classic R&B ballad performed by Smokey Robinson. Released in 1979, it became one of Robinson’s signature solo songs and a major hit on both the R&B and pop charts.
The song features a smooth, laid-back groove and Robinson’s trademark soulful vocals. Lyrically, “Cruisin'” is a romantic love song, with Robinson crooning about the joy of cruising with his love interest and enjoying each other’s company.
“Cruisin'” was well-received by audiences and critics alike, earning Robinson a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The song has since become a classic of Robinson’s solo repertoire and continues to be a favorite among fans of R&B and soul music.
3. The Tears of a Clown
“The Tears of a Clown” is a classic soul song co-written by Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Hank Cosby. It was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1967 for their album “Make It Happen.” However, it wasn’t released as a single until 1970.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a clown who uses humor to hide his true feelings of sadness and heartbreak. Despite entertaining others with his antics, the clown cries tears of sorrow when he’s alone. The juxtaposition of joyful performance and inner pain is a poignant theme throughout the song.
“The Tears of a Clown” features a lively and infectious melody, punctuated by a catchy circus-like motif. Smokey Robinson’s soulful vocals, along with the energetic instrumentation, create a memorable and emotionally resonant listening experience.
Upon its release as a single in 1970, “The Tears of a Clown” became a massive hit for Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, reaching the top of the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It remains one of their most beloved and enduring songs, recognized as a classic of Motown and soul music.
4. Ooo Baby Baby
“Ooo Baby Baby” is a classic soul ballad written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore. It was first recorded by The Miracles in 1965 and released as a single. The song is known for its heartfelt lyrics and emotional delivery.
The lyrics of “Ooo Baby Baby” express the pain and longing of a narrator who has lost their lover. They reminisce about the good times they shared and express regret for the mistakes that led to the relationship’s demise. The repeated refrain of “Ooo baby baby” conveys the depth of the narrator’s emotions and serves as a poignant plea for reconciliation.
The song features a lush orchestral arrangement, with Smokey Robinson’s smooth and soulful vocals at the forefront. Its melody is instantly recognizable, and its timeless appeal has made it a favorite for listeners of classic soul music.
“Ooo Baby Baby” has been covered by numerous artists over the years and remains a beloved classic in the Motown and soul music canon. Its poignant lyrics, memorable melody, and emotive performance continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
5. Being with You
“Being with You” is a soulful ballad performed by Smokey Robinson. Released in 1981, it became one of Robinson’s biggest solo hits, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a staple on R&B and adult contemporary radio stations.
The song’s lyrics express the joy and contentment of being in love and spending time with a significant other. Robinson’s smooth and emotive vocals, combined with the song’s catchy melody and lush production, helped propel it to commercial success.
“Being with You” remains one of Smokey Robinson’s most beloved songs and has endured as a classic of 1980s R&B music. Its universal themes of love and romance continue to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless favorite.
6. I Second That Emotion
“I Second That Emotion” is a classic soul song originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. Released in 1967, it became one of the group’s biggest hits, reaching the top of the Billboard R&B chart and the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song’s title is a play on words, with “emotion” being used both in its typical sense and as a pun for “e-motion” or “electronically transmitted motion.” Lyrically, the song explores the uncertainty and insecurity that can accompany romantic relationships, with the narrator expressing hesitation about revealing their true feelings until their partner reciprocates.
“I Second That Emotion” features Robinson’s smooth vocals and the group’s tight harmonies, set against a backdrop of Motown’s signature pop-soul sound. Its catchy melody and memorable hook helped make it a classic of the Motown era.
Over the years, “I Second That Emotion” has been covered by numerous artists and remains a beloved staple of 1960s soul music. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the enduring talent of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
7. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” is a soulful song originally recorded by The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson on lead vocals. Released in 1962, it became one of the group’s signature songs and a major hit on both the pop and R&B charts.
The song’s lyrics express the narrator’s deep affection for their romantic partner, despite the emotional turmoil and pain caused by their hold on them. The catchy melody and Robinson’s heartfelt vocals helped propel the song to commercial success.
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” has since become a classic of the Motown era and has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including The Beatles, who included a rendition of the song on their album “With the Beatles” in 1963. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the enduring influence of The Miracles and Smokey Robinson on popular music.
8. Just to See Her
“Just to See Her” is a soulful ballad written by Jimmy George and Lou Pardini. It was originally recorded by Smokey Robinson in 1987 for his album “One Heartbeat.”
The song expresses the longing and desire of the narrator to see their love interest again, even if just for a moment. They reminisce about the times they shared and express how much they miss being with them. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning and heartfelt emotion.
Smokey Robinson’s rendition of “Just to See Her” became a major hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and winning a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1988. His smooth and soulful vocals, combined with the song’s catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, captivated listeners and solidified its status as a classic of contemporary R&B music.
Over the years, “Just to See Her” has been covered by various artists and continues to be cherished by fans of Smokey Robinson and R&B music in general. Its universal themes of love and longing make it a timeless favorite that resonates with audiences of all ages.
9. More Love
“More Love” is a soulful song originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. Released in 1967, it became one of their notable hits, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard R&B chart and the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song’s lyrics express a longing for deeper connection and affection in a romantic relationship, with the narrator expressing a desire for more love, understanding, and compassion from their partner. Set against a backdrop of Motown’s signature pop-soul sound, “More Love” features Robinson’s smooth vocals and the group’s tight harmonies.
“More Love” has since become a classic of the Motown era and has been covered by various artists over the years. Its timeless themes of love and longing continue to resonate with audiences, making it a beloved favorite among fans of soul music.
10. Shop Around
“Shop Around” is a classic R&B and doo-wop song by The Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson. Released in 1960, it became The Miracles’ first million-selling hit and the first-ever number one hit for Motown Records on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a young man advising his brother not to settle down too quickly with the first girl he meets, but to “shop around” and explore his options before committing to a serious relationship. The catchy melody, Robinson’s smooth vocals, and the group’s harmonies helped propel the song to commercial success.
“Shop Around” is considered a milestone in Motown’s history, marking the label’s breakthrough into the mainstream music scene. It showcased Motown’s distinctive sound and set the stage for the label’s future success with other artists like The Supremes, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye.
Over the years, “Shop Around” has been covered by various artists and remains a beloved classic of the doo-wop and R&B genres. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the enduring talent of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
