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.
Cruisin
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, let's cruise, away from here
Don't be confused, the way is clear
And if you want it you got it forever
This is not a one night stand, baby, so
Let the music take your mind
Ooh, just release and you will find
You're gonna fly away, glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
The music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together
Baby tonight belongs to us
Everything's right, do what you must
And inch by inch we get closer and closer
To every little part of each other, ooh, baby, so
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find
You're gonna fly away, glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
Music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together
Cruise with me baby
Cruise with me baby
Cruise
So good to cruise
So good to cruise
Baby, let's cruise
Let's float, let's glide
Ooh, let's open up and go inside
And if you want it you got it forever
I can just stay there inside you
And love you baby
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find
You're gonna fly, yeah, I'm glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
The music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together
You're gonna fly away, glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
The music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
You're gonna fly away (yeah) glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
The music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
You're gonna fly away (yeah) glad your goin' my way
I love it when we're cruising together
Music is played for love
Cruising is made for love
I love it when we're cruising together
The song "Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson, released in 1979, conveys a sense of intimacy and romance. The lyrics suggest a desire to escape from the rest of the world and spend time with someone special, cruising away together. The music plays a crucial role in bringing the lovers together, fueling their passion, and making them feel alive. Smokey's voice amplifies the sensuality of the lyrics, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and connection.
The singer urges his lover to let the music take her mind and just release, promising that they will find happiness together. He tells her that they are bound forever, that this is not a one-night stand, and that he loves it when they are cruising together. The lyrics also suggest that the lovers will gradually get closer and closer to each other, exploring every part of each other's bodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, let's cruise, away from here
Let's escape from our current environment, together.
Don't be confused, the way is clear
There's no need to be uncertain, the path is straightforward.
And if you want it you got it forever
Our love isn't temporary, it'll last forever if you choose.
This is not a one night stand, baby, so
Our connection is deeper than a one-off encounter.
Let the music take your mind
Let the melody guide your thoughts and emotions.
Ooh, just release and you will find
Relax and let go, you'll discover something amazing.
You're gonna fly away, glad your goin' my way
Together, we're heading towards something incredible.
I love it when we're cruising together
I feel pure joy when we're together, enjoying life's pleasures.
The music is played for love
Melodies are created to express the beauty of human connection.
Cruising is made for love
Being together, enjoying life's simple pleasures is what love is all about.
Baby tonight belongs to us
This evening is meant for us to share and celebrate our love.
Everything's right, do what you must
In our love's embrace, everything falls into place and anything is possible.
And inch by inch we get closer and closer
We're slowly building towards an intimate and deeper connection.
To every little part of each other, ooh, baby, so
We're exploring every facet of our being, discovering each other's true selves.
Cruise with me baby
Let's continue to navigate life together, as a team.
So good to cruise
It's so refreshing and exciting to escape and experience life together.
Let's float, let's glide
Let's take it easy and coast along life's journey, savoring every moment.
Ooh, let's open up and go inside
Let's be vulnerable and share our deepest emotions and thoughts together.
I can just stay there inside you
Our love is so powerful, I never want to leave your side.
And love you baby
I have nothing but love for you, always.
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
I can't express enough how much I enjoy spending time with you and sharing our love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Tarplin, Smokey Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrisprz_7
It’s a Monday morning during the summer, school is out, you turn on GTA 5, get in your favorite ride and this song comes on, you go for a nice ride along the coast of Los Santos, Life is good! 🙌
@HenrittsRivera-zl9dq
Let's Ride ❤❤❤
@Fit_Shaced
that isn't life, in fact, it's the exact opposite. real life is better than that virtual experience.
@raymartin9890
😊😊😅😅😮😮😅😊😊😅😅😅
@corylahey9941
Lifes also better when youre not a hater bro
@patriciajohnson6928
I remember when this song came out I was in middle school still a classic to this day I’m 56 now they don’t make good music like this anymore. Smoky is hit maker. All his music he wrote is a hit.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@johnd3020
Go listen to Smokey's new album Gasms
@jimpeterson9154
Might be the sexiest song EVER recorded ! Thanks Smokey !
@maggiefran904
It IS the sexiest song EVER played or recorded..
@rudygarcia4676
Yes sir .