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.
Hold On To Your Love
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love the way you smile at me
An open door that lets the sunshine in
It lights my world, my days
I love your face
I love the look that's in your eyes
You see right through the deepest part of me
I love your face
Don't you ever change, you're just right for me
I love all of you
And especially I love your face
I love the message there for me
The greatest love story I ever heard
Without a sound, without a word
I love your face
I love your face
I love your face
The lyrics to "Faces" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles express a deep and profound love for someone's face. The singer expresses his love for the way the person smiles at him, which feels like an open door that brings sunshine into his life. The person's face lights up his world and his days. Additionally, the singer loves the way the person looks at him, seeing right through him and into his heart. He loves the person's whole being, but especially their face, as it carries a message of love that resonates with him.
The lyrics convey a sense of unconditional love and admiration for the person's face. The singer finds the person's face to be the embodiment of love, and no matter what happens, he wants the person to know that he loves their face. The song is a beautiful and sincere tribute to the power of human connection and how the face can convey so much emotion and feeling without words.
Line by Line Meaning
I love your face
I deeply adore and cherish your physical appearance, the way you look at me, and your expressions.
I love the way you smile at me
I love the warmth and tenderness I feel when you smile at me, it brightens my day and uplifts my spirit.
An open door that lets the sunshine in
Your smile is like a welcoming door that allows joy and optimism to come into my life.
It lights my world, my days
Your smile makes my world brighter and fills my days with happiness.
I love the look that's in your eyes
Your eyes show me a deep understanding of my innermost emotions and thoughts, and I am drawn to the depth of your spirit.
You see right through the deepest part of me
You have an ability to understand and relate to the most intimate parts of me, and it makes me feel appreciated and loved.
Right down into the heart of me
You have the ability to penetrate my heart and soul, and I am grateful for the depth of connection we share.
Don't you ever change, you're just right for me
I love you for the way you are, and I would never want you to change because you are perfect just the way you are and bring joy into my life.
I love all of you
I love every aspect of your personality, your soul, and your essence.
And especially I love your face
Although I love everything about you, I hold a special place in my heart for your face and the emotions it conveys.
I love the message there for me
Your face sends a powerful message of love, acceptance, and understanding to me, and I am grateful for it.
The greatest love story I ever heard
Our love story is the most beautiful, inspiring, and heartwarming tale I have ever heard in my entire life.
Without a sound, without a word
Our love is so pure and deep that it doesn't need any words or sounds to express itself, it is felt in the silence and depth of our being.
I love your face
I deeply adore and cherish your physical appearance, the way you look at me, and your expressions.
I love your face
I deeply adore and cherish your physical appearance, the way you look at me, and your expressions.
I love your face
I deeply adore and cherish your physical appearance, the way you look at me, and your expressions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind