Early years and formation of the Miracles
Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and was nicknamed "Smokey" as a child, because of his love of westerns. The name originally came when an uncle (who would take a young Robinson to see westerns) gave him the name "Smokey Joe", Robinson began being called "Smokey" whilst in his teens. In 1955, Robinson founded a group he called "The Five Chimes" with his best friend Ronnie White, and Northern High School classmates Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. By 1957, the group was called "The Matadors" and included cousins Bobby Rogers and Claudette Rogers in place of Dawson and Grice. With Robinson as lead singer, the Matadors began touring the local Detroit venues. In 1958, Robinson met songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr., who co-wrote for them the single "Got a Job," an answer song to The Silhouettes' hit single "Get A Job." The group renamed itself The Miracles, and issued singles on both End Records and Chess Records before Robinson suggested to Berry Gordy that he start a label of his own.
In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records, which he soon reincorporated as Motown. The Miracles were among the label's first signees. Gordy and Robinson had a synergistic relationship, with Robinson providing a foundation for Motown's hit-making success and Gordy acting as a mentor for the budding singer and songwriter. By 1961, Gordy had appointed Robinson vice-president of Motown Records, a title Robinson held for as long as Gordy remained with the company.
Motown and The Miracles
The 1960 single "Shop Around" was Motown's first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart, and the first big hit for The Miracles. They scored many more hits over the years, including "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "Mickey's Monkey" (1963), "Ooo Baby Baby (1965), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965), "Going to a Go-Go" (1965), "More Love" (1967), and "I Second That Emotion" (1967).
Besides penning hits for his own group, Robinson also wrote and produced hits and album tracks for other Motown artists. Mary Wells had a big hit with the Robinson-penned "My Guy" (1964), and Robinson served as The Temptations primary songwriter and producer from 1963 to 1966, penning hits such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Since I Lost My Baby," and "Get Ready." Among Robinson's numerous other Motown compositions are "Still Water (Love)" by The Four Tops, "Don't Mess With Bill" by The Marvelettes, "When I'm Gone" by Brenda Holloway, "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" by Marvin Gaye, "My Guy" by Mary Wells and "First I Look at the Purse" by The Contours.
Fellow singer/songwriter Bob Dylan described Robinson as "America's greatest living poet." Robinson's hit ballads also earned him the title "America's poet laureate of love." Over the course of his almost 50-year career in music, Robinson has over 4,000 songs to his credit.
After marrying Claudette Rogers, Robinson started a family, and named both of his children after Motown: his son was named Berry after the company's founder, and his daughter was named Tamla after the Motown imprint for which Robinson and The Miracles recorded.
The Miracles remained a premier Motown act through most of the 1960s. Albums were released as "Smokey Robinson & the Miracles" after 1965. By 1969, the group's fortunes began to falter, and Robinson decided to quit The Miracles so that he could remain at home with his family and concentrate on his duties as vice president. The group stopped recording and Robinson prepared to leave the group. Unexpectedly, however, their 1966 recording of "The Tears of a Clown" was released as a single in 1970, and became a #1 hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Due to the surprise success of "Tears of a Clown," Robinson was convinced to remain with The Miracles for a few more years. In 1972, he followed through on his original plans to leave the group, and The Miracles began a six-month farewell tour. On July 16, 1972, Smokey and Claudette Robinson gave their final performances as Miracles at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, DC, and Robinson introduced the group's new lead singer, Billy Griffin. The Miracles went on for a while, even having another #1 hit, "Love Machine," in 1976.
Successful solo career
Smokey Robinson began a low-key solo career while concentrating on his duties as vice-president of Motown, releasing his first solo LP, Smokey, in 1973. His first hit single, "Sweet Harmony" (1973), was dedicated to The Miracles.
In 1975, Robinson's solo career went into full-drive after the success of the #1 R&B hit "Baby That's Backatcha." Robinson's 1976 single "Quiet Storm" and its accompanying album typified a smooth, slow style of R&B that is today called "quiet storm." Other Robinson solo hits include "Cruisin'" (1979), "Being With You" (a UK #1 hit) (1981), "Tell Me Tomorrow" (1982), and "Ebony Eyes," a duet with labelmate Rick James (1983). He also recorded the soundtrack to the film Big Time (1977).
Spokesmanship
Smokey Robinson is the spokesman of the Great American Smokeout, which takes place annually one week before Thanksgiving. It's a day when smokers quit smoking for at least a day. In 2006, It takes place on November 16th.
Later years
During the mid-1980s, Robinson fell victim to cocaine addiction. His recording slowed, and his marriage to Claudette faltered; the two were divorced in 1986. Robinson eventually overcame the addiction and revitalized his career, scoring hits in 1987 with "Just To See Her" and "One Heartbeat." Also in 1987, British band ABC scored a US and UK hit with their tribute to Robinson, entitled "When Smokey Sings". In 1988, Robinson published his autobiography, Smokey, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Upon Motown's sale to MCA in 1988, Robinson resigned from his position as vice-president. After one last album for Motown, Love, Smokey (1990), Robinson departed the company. He released one record for SBK Records, Double Good Everything (1991), the same year he won a Soul Train Music Award for Career Achievement. Eight years later, he returned to Motown, which by then was a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and released Intimate (1999).
Since then, Robinson has continued to periodically perform and tour. In 2003, Robinson served as a guest judge for American Idol during "Billy Joel Week." He issued a gospel LP, Food for the Spirit in 2004. A new album of pop standards from the early 20th century, Timeless Love, was released in June 2006. It was originally recorded with a jazz combo, but strings were added after the fact, giving the album more of a lush sound but removing much of the jazz feeling of the disc.
In 2004, Robinson's company, SFGL Foods, launched a special brand of gumbo called "Smokey Robinson's 'The Soul is in the Bowl' Gumbo." [1].
In May 2006, at its 138th Commencement Convocation, Howard University conferred on Robinson the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa.
Smokey Robinson is scheduled to appear on Duets on Fox along with Randy Travis, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Aaron Neville, Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Kenny Loggins, Brian McKnight, Macy Gray, Richard Marx, and Cyndi Lauper. David Foster will be a judge.
On 27th October 2006 Smokey appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
Bad Girl
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh how love could be
But she's a bad girl because she wants to be free
Oh, she wants to be free (bad girl, ooh)
She's not a bad girl to look at
Finer than fine (finer than fine), she said she was mine (said she was mine)
But she's a bad girl because it was only a line
I, I, I bragged to the boys about the girl that I had
It broke me up to find out she was bad
And my only wish is that I wish I could make
A bad, bad girl be good
She wasn't a bad, bad girl at first, so good at the start
Mmh, but now we must part (now we must part)
Oh yes she's a bad, bad girl because she's breaking my heart
Oh, now she's breaking my heart, so so so bad
She's breaking my heart
The song "Bad Girl" by Smokey Robinson tells the story of a woman who is not necessarily bad in herself, but her behavior is causing trouble in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer was initially attracted to her and that she showed him what love could be. However, the woman wants to be free, which is causing problems between them. The singer admits that the woman is "finer than fine," indicating that he is still attracted to her despite her actions. But he also acknowledges that she has lied to him about their relationship, and he is hurt by her actions. The line "I, I, I beg to the birds about [Incomprehensible]" shows how desperate he is for her to hear him out, but she is not listening. The singer concludes by saying that she is breaking his heart and that he wishes he could make her change her ways.
Overall, the song portrays a complicated relationship in which the woman's desire for freedom clashes with the singer's desire for stability within the relationship. Robinson's smooth vocals and simple instrumentation emphasize the emotional weight of the lyrics, making for a poignant and relatable song for many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
She's not a bad girl
The girl is not bad because she helped me learn how to love.
Because she made me see
How love could be
The girl showed me a new way to experience love and it was a positive experience.
But she's a bad girl
Because she wants to be free
She wants to be free
However, she is a bad girl because her desire for freedom means that she is not committed to our relationship.
She's not a bad girl to look at
Finer than fine
Said she was mine, mine, mine
Physically, she is an attractive woman and she even claimed to be exclusively mine.
Because it was only a lie
I, I, I beg to the birds about [Incomprehensible]
Unfortunately, these claims were revealed as false and now I find myself in a situation where I have allowed myself to be deceived.
It brought me out to find out
She was bad and my only wish is that
I wish I could make a bad girl to be good
After uncovering the truth, I realized that she is indeed a bad girl and I wish that I had the power to change her.
She wasn't a bad girl, girl at first
So good at the start
But now, now we must part
Initially, she didn't appear to be a bad girl and our relationship was good but unfortunately, we must now separate.
Oh yes, she's bad girl
Because she's breaking my heart
So, so, so bad, she's breaking my heart
Ultimately, she is a bad girl because she has caused me immense emotional pain and heartbreak.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Actual Music, S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERRY JR GORDY, BERRY GORDY JR, SMOKEY ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williamg2552
R.I.P. to original Miracles member Marvin "Marv" Tarplin (June 13, 1941 – September 30, 2011) One of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of ALL TIME !! Marv....you will be missed !!!
@stephenmarcus2825
1959. Can you believe what a 19 year old kid became? A legend, today’s greatest musical treasure. Think of all the tunes he’s written sung, and produced. Greatest of my era.
@rogerbowen4978
There was kindness and love and soul ! In the hood 💪🥰
@Madminute1968
Smokey has one damn fine voice, and the studio musicians are outstanding.
@oppothumbs1
this was the first song to be released by Motown.
The song was written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy. In my top 5 favorite song by the Miracles because I love haunting songs and melodies and this is a killer.
@BluesInMySoul
I love the ones where Claudette's voice is so clear. This is one of my favorite songs. The harmonies are to die for .
@toniandrews9272
Memories 💜
@DetroitLives313
Listen to how pure their vocals were. Amazing!
@bjclark1017
Yes, this was a song from my early teen age years. My older sister played this song on repeat for 24 hours a day. I thank her for that, 'cause it is still one of the most beautiful love songs I've ever heard.
@immaggiethesenilegoldenret7918
Haunting. Just beautiful. Always loved it.