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.
Here I Go Again
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh hmm, a scent like perfume from your lovely hair
I said that I do adore
Mmh, my heart said to me, don't walk head on into misery
Hey, with your eyes wide open can't you see?
A hurt's in store just like before
Here I go again never thinking of
The danger that might exist
Disregarding all of this just for you
I ignore the detour sign
I won't stop until you're mine (until you're mine)
I'm past the point of no return
Girl, you walk by and I said to me, myself and I
Now we've got to give it one more try
I know somehow the time is now, right now
Oh whoa, here I go again walking into love
Here I go again walking into love
Here I go, here I go
Here I go, here I go again
In Smokey Robinson's song Here I Go Again, the singer sees a woman he is attracted to, and he describes her laughter as filling the air with a scent like perfume from her lovely hair. His heart tells him he should be careful not to walk into another heartbreak, but he ignores the warning signs and walks head-on into love once again. He is fully aware of the danger that exists and disregards it just for her.
The singer is determined to pursue the woman, ignoring detour signs and refusing to stop until she is his. He believes that now is the time to give it one more try. The song's chorus emphasizes his willingness to risk everything for love, as he declares that he is walking into love once again.
The lyrics of Here I Go Again tap into universal experiences of love and heartbreak. The singer's willingness to take risks for love despite past disappointments is a relatable sentiment for many people. The song's melody is catchy and upbeat, underscoring the singer's optimism and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw you there and your laughter seemed to fill the air
I noticed you and your joyful energy instantly lifted the mood
Uh hmm, a scent like perfume from your lovely hair
I was drawn to your sweet-smelling hair that added to your allure
I said that I do adore
I couldn't help but express my appreciation of you
Mmh, my heart said to me, don't walk head on into misery
My instincts warned me not to rush into something that could end in sadness
Hey, with your eyes wide open can't you see?
I questioned why I couldn't see the imminent danger despite being alert
A hurt's in store just like before
I knew from experience that pain was likely to happen again
Oh ho ho, but here I go again walking into love
Despite the risk, I was willingly stepping into love
Here I go again never thinking of
I was ignoring any potential consequences or dangers
The danger that might exist
I knew there was a possibility of danger, but chose to ignore it
Disregarding all of this just for you
I was willing to overlook any warning signs because of my love for you
I ignore the detour sign
I kicked caution to the curb and chose to take the path I wanted
I won't stop until you're mine (until you're mine)
I was determined to keep trying until I made you mine
I'm past the point of no return
I had gone too far to turn back now
Girl, you walk by and I said to me, myself and I
When you passed by, I had an internal conversation with myself
Now we've got to give it one more try
I felt compelled to try again, despite any doubts or fears
I know somehow the time is now, right now
I had a feeling that this was the right moment for another attempt
Oh whoa, here I go again walking into love
Once again, I was walking towards love, even though it could lead to danger or pain
Here I go again walking into love
I was continually moving forward towards love, undeterred by any risks
Here I go, here I go
I was ready and willing to take the leap into love, no matter what
Here I go, here I go again
I couldn't resist the call of love and was willing to try again and again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE RAY CHARLES FOUNDATION DBA TANGERINE MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALFRED W CLEVELAND, TERRY JOHNSON, WARREN MOORE, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lillyrose sunset
"Here I Go Again"
Saw you there and your laughter seemed to fill the air
A scent like perfume from your lovely hair
I said that I do adore
My heart said to me, don't walk head on into misery
Hey, with your eyes wide open can't you see?
A hurts in store just like before
Oh ho ho, but here I go again walking into love
Here I go again never thinking of
The danger that might exist
Disregarding all of this just for you
I ignore the detour sign
I won't stop until you're mine
I'm past the point of no return
Girl, you walk by and I said to me, myself and I
Now we've got to give it one more try
I know somehow the time is now, right now
Oh whoa, here I go again walking into love
Here I go again walking into love
Here I go, here I go
Here I go, here I go again
Writer(s): Robinson William, Moore Warren, Cleveland Alfred W, Johnson Terry
Charles L Jones
No singer living or dead can match smokeys,singing and songwriting skills.
Yvette Jones
Yes, and I said to me, myself and I that this is my favorite song sung by Smokey. I love the vocals and arrangement. Lovely!💜❤️
Rich Varela
Marvin Gaye .. and produce music too .. my opinion .. but like smokey alot
anita lipscomb
Absolutely!
Anita Watkins
You are so right. Simple lyrics with deepest that touches the soul.
Cheryl Mosley
Kellz is pretty good for sure.
rodney jerome
This is ,to me is, the definitive love ballad. The melody, strong lyrics, that all tie into the chorus, makes this the perfect love song, that takes us where we all have been, and will probably go again. Nothing is wasted, and it has always made me wish I had thought of this to write. This is the genius of song writing...
Darrell Wilson
On point brother!, hands down his best, he doesn't waist any space.
Corey Sheppard
This is such a great song. Beautiful lyrics and great music that matches the emotion of Smokey's voice!
Linda Harris
It's 2022 and am still in love with this song! Love you smokey 💕