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.
Coincidentally
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right at the place I said I'd never be
Fancy runnin' into you
Don't you think it's strange runnin' into me?
I said I would never come
'Cause to come here would only make me dumb
Yeah, I cursed and I swore not to come anymore
Dance above that empty room
Right outside your apartment door
And you're the last person that I expected
I might see right here
I guess it happened to be right here, yeah
Coincidentally
Fancy talkin' to you now
On the other end of the telephone line
Fancy hearin' your voice
Don't you think it's strange that you hearin' mine?
Well, I said I would never call
I'll just forget to love and have a ball
And the next time you saw me, you wouldn't even know me
'Cause I would be standing tall
Hey, fancy you should answer mine
I only let it ring 10 times, that's all
And you're the last person that I expected
So I know you'd be alone
Oh, I guess you must've picked up your phone
Hey, coincidentally
There's somethings I don't want you to know
Like when you said goodbye, it hurt me so
I'll be strong till the end, I won't break, I won't bend
I just don't think that I'd pretend
Hey, fancy you should find out
The only one true was your best friend
Only you're the last person that I expected
Hard to ever mention it too
Oh, I guess it came to the attention of you
Coincidentally
I let you know
(I let you know)
My way
(My way)
Hey
(Hey)
Accidentally on purpose now
(Accidentally on purpose now)
Yeah
(Yeah)
Hey
(Hey)
I found out
(I found out)
Oh
(Oh)
Coincidentally
(Coincidentally)
I let you know
(I let you know)
My, my, my, my, hey
(My, my, my, my, hey)
Well, well, well
(Well, well, well)
I found out
(I found out)
I let you know, yeah
(I let you know, yeah)
Accidentally on purpose now
(Accidentally on purpose now)
The song "Coincidentally" by Smokey Robinson is about the unexpected meeting of two people who have a history together. The lyrics convey a sense of surprise and disbelief that the singer has in running into someone they thought they would never see again. The first verse speaks of meeting someone at a place the singer said they would never be, implying that they have been hurt before and made a conscious decision to avoid this person. However, fate seems to have brought them together coincidentally. The second verse discusses a phone conversation with the same individual. The singer expresses surprise at hearing their voice and suggests that the other party probably doesn't recognize them because they have moved on and become a stronger person.
The lyrics also indicate that there are some feelings that are still unresolved, as the singer mentions that there are things they do not want the other person to know about the pain of their separation. However, they also declare that they will not pretend or hide their emotions. The chorus reinforces the theme of coincidence as the two parties meet and communicate. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "I let you know my way," which could be interpreted as a declaration of independence and a showing of strength as the singer maintains control over the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Fancy meetin' you here
It's a surprise to see you here.
Right at the place I said I'd never be
I didn't want to come here.
Fancy runnin' into you
It's unexpected to meet you here.
Don't you think it's strange runnin' into me?
Do you find it unusual to see me here?
I said I would never come
I swore not to come here.
'Cause to come here would only make me dumb
I knew coming here would be stupid.
Yeah, I cursed and I swore not to come anymore
I made a promise to never come here again.
And play the fool like I did before
And make myself look foolish like last time.
Dance above that empty room
I chose to dance above the vacant space.
Right outside your apartment door
Just outside where you live.
And you're the last person that I expected
I didn't imagine seeing you here.
I might see right here
Seeing you here is surprising.
I guess it happened to be right here, yeah
I guess this is where we happened to meet.
Coincidentally
It was a coincidence.
Fancy talkin' to you now
It's a surprise to be talking to you right now.
On the other end of the telephone line
Over the phone.
Fancy hearin' your voice
Hearing your voice is unexpected.
Don't you think it's strange that you hearin' mine?
Do you find it strange that you're hearing from me?
Well, I said I would never call
I swore I wouldn't call you.
I 'll just forget to love and have a ball
I'll try to move on and have fun.
And the next time you saw me, you wouldn't even know me
I'll be a different person the next time we meet.
'Cause I would be standing tall
I'll be stronger and more confident.
Hey, fancy you should answer mine
I'm surprised you picked up my call.
I only let it ring 10 times, that's all
I didn't let it ring for long.
So I know you'd be alone
I guessed you were by yourself.
Oh, I guess you must've picked up your phone
You must have answered your phone.
There's somethings I don't want you to know
I have things I don't want to share with you.
Like when you said goodbye, it hurt me so
Your goodbye was painful for me.
I'll be strong till the end, I won't break, I won't bend
I'll stay strong and won't give up.
I just don't think that I'd pretend
I don't want to pretend to be okay.
Hey, fancy you should find out
It's surprising you found out.
The only one true was your best friend
Your best friend was the only one who told the truth.
Hard to ever mention it too
It's difficult to bring it up.
I guess it came to the attention of you
I suppose you found out about it.
Accidentally on purpose now
It was unintentional but had a motive.
I found out
I discovered.
Coincidentally
It was a coincidence.
My way
In my own style.
Hey
Hello.
Well, well, well
I see.
I let you know
I informed you.
My, my, my, my, hey
Surprised expression.
Contributed by Austin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.