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've Been Good To You
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made a fool out of someone
Who thought love was true
And found out that you we're just having fun, oh yeah
Oh, why do you wanna make me blue
After all, I've been good to you
(I've been good to you)
Woah, I recall the time
You needed someone and I made you mine
You needed a friend
So I took you in and treated you so kind, oh yeah
Oh, why do you wanna make me blue
After all, I've been good to you
(I've been good to you)
Oh
I have always been around
And I never, never, never let you down
And now you're telling me that you must go
You know that you're hurting me so
But there come a time
One day, one day, one day, one day, one day you gonna wake up and find
You'll come back to me on your bending knees
And you're gonna be crying
Oh, believe me, what I say is true
After all, Lord I've been good to you
(I've been good to you) oh yes I have
I've been good, I've been good, I've been good (I've been good to you)
Everyday
I've been good, I've been good, I've been good (I've been good to you)
In Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' song "I've Been Good To You," the singer addresses a former lover who has taken advantage of their trust and kindness. The opening lines express the singer's frustration with their situation, suggesting that they once believed in the sincerity of the relationship but now feel foolish for falling for false promises. The chorus pleads with the former lover to explain why they would hurt someone who has always done right by them, emphasizing the singer's loyalty and past efforts to maintain the relationship. The second verse continues this theme, highlighting specific moments when the singer felt they were there for the other person, even when they needed help the most. However, the final stanza suggests that the singer has reached a breaking point and can no longer tolerate the other person's disregard for their feelings. Though they acknowledge their own pain, they hold out hope that eventually the other person will realize what they have lost and return to them.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the complexity of love and the challenges of maintaining trust in a relationship. The singer's vulnerability and sincerity make it easy for listeners to empathize with their situation, while the catchy melody and soulful accompaniment capture the emotional depth of the lyrics. "I've Been Good To You" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today, reminding us all of the power of love and the importance of treating each other with kindness and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Look what you've done
You have caused a negative effect on me
You made a fool out of someone
You made me look foolish
Who thought love was true
I believed our love was genuine
And found out that you were just having fun, oh yeah
But I discovered that you were just playing around
Oh, why do you wanna make me blue
Why do you want to make me sad
After all, I've been good to you
Considering everything, I have treated you well
(I've been good to you)
I have shown you kindness and loyalty
Woah, I recall the time
I remember the moment
You needed someone and I made you mine
You were looking for companionship and I became yours
You needed a friend
You required a confidant
So I took you in and treated you so kind, oh yeah
So I welcomed you with open arms and treated you with tenderness
I have always been around
I have consistently been present
And I never, never, never let you down
And I have never, ever disappointed you
And now you're telling me that you must go
But now you are saying that you must leave
You know that you're hurting me so
You are aware that you are causing me pain
But there come a time
But there will be a moment
One day, one day, one day, one day, one day you gonna wake up and find
Someday you will realize
You'll come back to me on your bending knees
You will return to me, humbled
And you're gonna be crying
And you will be weeping
Oh, believe me, what I say is true
Trust me, what I am saying is accurate
After all, Lord I've been good to you
Given everything that has happened, I have treated you well
(I've been good to you) oh yes I have
I have indeed shown you kindness and loyalty
I've been good, I've been good, I've been good (I've been good to you)
I have consistently been kind and loyal to you, every day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernice Diaz
Love this song 💖 Smokey Robinson #1
Brown Knowledge
I have this exact CD. Pure gold. I play all my doo wop favorites in my car. Loud and proud, even sometimes drowning out hip hop from the car next to me at the traffic light.
Renato Brito
The vocal harmonies are amazing. Inspiration to "This Boy" from the Beatles and many other blues songs. So sad that is so underrated.
Four Seasons
Renato Brito Sexy Sadie by The Beatles
Ashley Martinez
P
Ashley Martinez
@Four Seasons pppppp
Ken Newton
This is such an amazing song only smokey can make beautiful music like this I can listen to this all night long
Eva Cuevas
Such a long time that I hadn't heard this beautiful song, so glad I remembered it and found it.
Carol Donohoe
Love it!!!! ❤️
Creole Lady
What a love song, all I can do is just shake my head and say, Lawd have mercy. 4/23/20.