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.
Got A Job
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was low, I just couldn't get hired
So I sat in a grocery store
Help is light and I need some more
(I got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
(I got a job)
(I got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
(I got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Well, I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
You've been houndin' me to get a job
Well I finally did and my boss is a slob
He's on my back really all day long
It seems like everything I do is wrong
Well, I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
(He says to me)
Get the boxes, take 'em to the basement
Do the job right or I'll get a replacement
Get the mop and clean the dirty floors
And when you're finished wipe the windows and the doors
I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Well, this man's about to drive me stone insane
One of these days I'm gonna have a fit
and though the boss keeps a-runnin' through my brain
I'll never (never) (never) (never) (never never quit my brand new job)
Workin' all day and workin' all night and workin' all day
(He says to me)
Get the boxes, take 'em to the basement
Do the job right or I'll get a replacement
Get the mop and clean the dirty floors
And when you're finished wipe the windows and the doors
I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Well, this man's about to drive me stone insane
One of these days I'm gonna have a fit
And though the boss keeps a-runnin' through my brain
I'll never (never) (never) (never) (never never quit my brand new job)
Workin' all day and workin' all night and workin' all day
Workin' all night and workin' all day
The song "Got A Job" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles is a humorous take on the struggles of finding employment. The first stanza sets the scene of a desperate job seeker who is exhausted from walking around trying to find a job. The character is feeling low and discouraged since he cannot seem to land a job. However, he stumbles upon a grocery store and gets a job offer. The second stanza reveals that his boss is a slob who is constantly on his back. He has to do odd jobs like taking boxes to the basement, cleaning dirty floors, and wiping windows and doors. The singer finishes by stating that he will never quit his new job, even though the boss is driving him insane.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked all day till my feet were tired
I spent the whole day trying to find a job, but it was exhausting and disappointing.
I was low, I just couldn't get hired
I felt depressed and discouraged because I couldn't find a job.
So I sat in a grocery store
I decided to take a break and rest at a grocery store.
Help is light and I need some more
I realized that I needed some assistance and support to find a job.
(I got a job) Sha na na na, sha na na na na
I finally found a job, and I feel happy and relieved.
You've been houndin' me to get a job
You have been pressuring me to find a job.
Well I finally did and my boss is a slob
I found a job, but my boss is lazy and messy.
He's on my back really all day long
My boss is constantly monitoring and criticizing me.
It seems like everything I do is wrong
I feel like I can't do anything right, no matter how hard I try.
Well, I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job) Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Despite the challenges at work, I am still glad that I have a job.
(He says to me) Get the boxes, take 'em to the basement
My boss gives me specific tasks, such as moving boxes to the basement.
Do the job right or I'll get a replacement
My boss threatens to fire me if I don't do my job perfectly.
Get the mop and clean the dirty floors
My boss expects me to clean and maintain the store.
And when you're finished wipe the windows and the doors
In addition to other tasks, I have to keep the windows and doors clean.
Well, this man's about to drive me stone insane
My boss is making me crazy with his constant demands and criticism.
One of these days I'm gonna have a fit
I might lose my temper and have a breakdown if my boss keeps pushing me.
And though the boss keeps a-runnin' through my brain
I can't stop thinking about my boss and his expectations even when I'm not at work.
I'll never (never) (never) (never) (never never quit my brand new job)
I may be frustrated with my boss, but I won't quit my new job because I need the money and stability.
Workin' all day and workin' all night and workin' all day
I work hard all the time to keep my job and meet my boss's expectations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERRY GORDY JR, BERRY JR GORDY, SMOKEY ROBINSON, TYRAN CARLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigscott175
I'm 20 and I finally got a job. On my first day of work, I sang this all day
@ladyvanderson1632
👍🏾
@last1n3living
hilarious
@ralexand56
Wow, Claudette was gorgeous.
@johnwilcox4078
I've been retired 10 years but i like song for some reason 😊
@P.LoMax713
VLADTv interview brought me here
@mathmusic1490
Smokey wrote this song, but Berry Gordy, Jr., somehow got solo writing credit. Gordy was managing the group at the time, which had been called the Matadors, but right after they recorded this song they changed their name to The Miracles. The song came out on Smokey's 18th birthday back in Feb. 1958.
@danvanlandingham3854
That doesn't surprise me in the least.Managers and record label owners could be ganefs.Thats a common Yiddish word for "thief".Think of Morris Levy.Alot of bandleaders during the Big Band Era did the same thing as did music publishers like Irving Mills,who cut himself in on many Duke Ellington tunes.
@brendabarber7459
Barry Gordy Jr should have been ashamed of himself. But at least Smokey prevailed and became successful. They are still buds today.
@jessecastro1448
Just heard this song on Hitsvill U.S.A. Great documentary on Motown.