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.
I'll Try Something New
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It reaches the moon
I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly
And compose you a tune
Give you lovin' warm as mama's oven
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
To Venus or Mars
There we will love with your hand in my hand
You'll be queen of the stars
And every day we can play on the milky way
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea
To wear in your hair
I'll do anything and everything to keep you happy
Girl, to show you that I care
I'll pretend I'm jealous of all the fellas
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
I'll take the stars and count 'em and move a mountain
And if that don't do, I'll try something new
I'll tell the moon above it's you that I love
And baby, if it don't do I'm gonna try something new
Oh, well if there's something to see, try, here's what I'll do
Always trying something new, always trying something that's new
The lyrics to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' song "I'll Try Something New" discuss the lengths that the singer is willing to go in order to show his love and affection for his significant other. He promises to build a castle, compose music, and take her to Venus or Mars, all in an effort to make her feel special and loved. These lyrics demonstrate a willingness to be creative and persistent in order to maintain a healthy and loving relationship.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the singer understands that relationships require effort and that he is willing to put in that effort in order to keep his significant other happy. He is willing to try new things and be innovative in order to keep the spark alive. Additionally, the lyrics suggest a gentle and nurturing type of love, with references to a warm and loving presence, as well as bringing flowers from the bottom of the sea.
Overall, the song captures the essence of a devoted and passionate relationship that is built on mutual trust and understanding, as well as a willingness to try new things and keep things fresh.
Line by Line Meaning
I will build you a castle with a tower so high
I will do anything and everything to make you happy, including building you a castle that reaches the moon.
I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly
I will go to great lengths to compose a beautiful tune for you, even if it means collecting melodies from birds that fly.
Give you lovin' warm as mama's oven
I will give you my love and care, as warm and comforting as the feeling of being in a mother's embrace.
And if that don't do
If these efforts are not enough to make you happy,
Then I'll try something new
I will keep trying new things to make you happy.
I will take you away with me as far as I can
I will take you on an adventure and show you the wonders of the universe, even if it means traveling to Venus or Mars.
There we will love with your hand in my hand
We will enjoy each other's company and bask in the love we share, holding hands as we explore the new worlds around us.
You'll be queen of the stars
You will be my queen, the most important person in my life, even amidst the vastness of the universe.
And every day we can play on the milky way
We will have fun and create memories together, as we traverse the Milky Way galaxy.
I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea
I will go to great depths, even to the floor of the ocean, to find you a special flower to wear in your hair.
I'll pretend I'm jealous of all the fellas
I will express my love and affection for you by pretending to be jealous of any attention you receive from other people.
I'll take the stars and count 'em and move a mountain
I will go to extremes, counting the stars in the sky and moving mountains, to make you happy.
I'll tell the moon above it's you that I love
I will proclaim my love for you to the moon, letting the universe know how much you mean to me.
And baby, if it don't do I'm gonna try something new
Even if these grand gestures are not enough, I will continue to try new things to show you how much I care.
Oh, well if there's something to see, try, here's what I'll do
I am always willing to try something new if it means making you happy.
Always trying something new, always trying something that's new
I am committed to finding new ways to make you happy, and will never stop trying.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rogerrrubin
I will build you a castle with a tower so high
It reaches the moon
I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly
And compose you a tune
I'll give you lovin' warm as Mama's oven
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
I will take you away with me as far as I can
To Venus or Mars
There we will love with your hand in my hand
You'll be queen of the stars
And every day we can play on the Milky Way
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea
To wear in your hair
I'll do anything and everything to keep you happy
To show you that I care
I'll pretend I'm jealous of all the fellas
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new
I'll take the stars and count 'em and move a mountain
And if that don't do I'll try something new
I'll tell the moon above it's you that I love
If it don't do I'll try something new
@NYC1927
One day out of the blue I sang the first line of this song to my 75 year old father and without missing a beat he picked it up and sang the rest of the song. He was about 16yrs old when it first came out. Loved it!
@sylvia81
Great story 💋
@dodsonf
Smokey is a true poet, a lyricist par excellence, he spins webs of wondrous words into themes of love like no one else..
@stephenmarcus2825
There is no complete artist like Smokey around today. He does it all, sings beautifully, composes wonderful songs, has an amazing presence, produces music for others and more. I have seen him in concert at least 50 times over my lifetime. Have had the good fortune to get to know him personally through contacts and for the past 30 years usually talk to him backstage before and after shows. Have so many Smokey pictures with my family and myself. He is a national treasure who at age 79 keeps going strong. Love him forever.
@lawball1727
Smokey Robinson songs were the soundtrack of my childhood and early adulthood. The world would be empty without him singing, writing, producing some of the greatest music ever written, performed and recorded. Smokey is a legend and he made the world a better place.
@ronaldjames3984
What a gift to music, I'm so happy I was born in the 50's and enjoyed this iconic figure's music in 60-70's. Shout out to Baltimore Md., Forest Park High class of 1970.
@mustbelyrical
THE BEATLES CALLED HIM THE GREATEST LOVE POET THAT EVER LIVED GOD BLESS YOU SMOKEY THANK YOU FOR GROWING UP WITH ME I CANT THINK OF MY CHILDHOOD WITHOUT YOU AND MOTOWN
@jaysonbiggs8979
WAYNE gooden
George Harrison especially liked Smokey. He wrote a song called "Pure Smokey" in the '80's in tribute to him.
@francesbauer1223
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%
@joelwerner8366
This is my favorite Miracle song, what a remarkable thing to say knowing the beautiful music they produced, truly a talented group, blessed to hear their music.