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 Can't Stand To See You Cry
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I realize that of you when you're not around
Oh, I've seen many guys
Taking advantage of you, love
They misuse your kindness
As a weakness too
And watch your life fill with pain
I seen it too many times
Tryin' to smile and keep the tears a strain, baby
I can't stand to see you cry
I love you too much
That's why
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful
Ohh
I realize that you when you're not around
Oh, I share the pain
For the hurt
You have been through
I hate myself for silent things to you
Words that could've been your cure
So now I'd like to step right in
Please, confess your love of me
And my reward for your faith
Will the be joy in your eyes, I see
'Cause baby
I can't stand to see you cry
I love you too much
That's why
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful
Ohh
I realize that you when you're not around, ooh
Ohh, now, now, now, now
I'm gonna be broke
Another life that's true, baby
'Cause that's how serious
I am in wanting you
So place your loving trust
In these hands of mine
And I'm gonna never hurt you again
And together happiness we'll find
'Cause baby, I can't stand to see you cry
I love you too much
That's why
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful, baby
I realize that you when you're not around
I can't stand to see you cry
I love you too much
That's why
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful
Ooh, baby
I realize that you when you're not around
I can't
I can't
I can't stand to see you cry
I love you too much
That's why
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful
I realize that you when you're not around
The lyrics to "I Can't Stand to See You Cry" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles are about the pain of watching someone you love being mistreated and hurt by others. The singer has witnessed the person he loves being taken advantage of and abused by others, and he can no longer stand by and watch it happen. He wants to be the one who brings her happiness and joy, and promises to never hurt her again.
The opening line "Your love is so precious and rare-iful" sets the tone for the song, expressing the depth of the singer's feelings for the person he loves. The use of the word "rare-iful" suggests that this love is something he values deeply and recognizes as unique and rare. He acknowledges that he only truly realizes the worth of this love when the person he loves is not around.
The singer speaks of the pain that he, too, feels when watching the person he loves suffer, and feels guilty for not having said the things that could have made a difference. He promises to step in and be the one to offer love and support in the future.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of overwhelming love and protectiveness for someone who has been hurt in the past, and a desire to be the one to bring happiness and healing to their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is so precious and rare-iful
I understand the true worth of your love and how difficult it is to find someone like you
Oh, I've seen many guys
I have observed many guys taking advantage of your love
Taking advantage of you, love
Using your kindness and love as a tool to fulfill their own selfish desires
They misuse your kindness
They exploit your generosity for their own gain
As a weakness too
They consider your kind nature to be your weakness
No longer can I stand back
I cannot keep silent and watch you suffer anymore
And watch your life fill with pain
I cannot bear to see you go through so much pain and suffering
I seen it too many times
I have witnessed your suffering too often
Tryin' to smile and keep the tears a strain, baby
You try to hide your sorrow, but I can see your pain and struggle
I can't stand to see you cry
Your tears break my heart, I cannot bear to see you sad
I love you too much
My love for you is so great that I cannot see you in pain
That's why
My love for you is the reason why I cannot stand to see you cry
'Cause your love is so precious and rare-iful
Because your love is valuable and unique
Ohh
Expressing deep emotion and tenderness
Oh, I share the pain
I feel your pain and understand what you are going through
For the hurt
I understand the depth of your emotional pain
You have been through
All the struggles and hardships you have faced in your life
I hate myself for silent things to you
I regret not expressing my love and admiration for you earlier
Words that could've been your cure
Words that could have brought you comfort and happiness
So now I'd like to step right in
I want to be there for you and support you through all the difficulties
Please, confess your love of me
I want you to admit your love for me and trust me with your heart
And my reward for your faith
I promise to be faithful and true to you
Will the be joy in your eyes, I see
My reward will be seeing you happy and joyful
'Cause baby
Expressing affection and endearment
I'm gonna be broke
I will give everything I have to make you happy
Another life that's true, baby
I promise to give you a life that is honest and true
'Cause that's how serious
Expressing the depth of feelings and commitment
I am in wanting you
I desire you with all my heart and soul
So place your loving trust
Have faith in me and trust me completely
In these hands of mine
I promise to protect and care for you
And I'm gonna never hurt you again
I will never cause you any pain or harm
And together happiness we'll find
Let us find happiness together, with love and trust guiding us
Ooh, baby
Expressing affection and endearment
I can't
I cannot keep silent and watch you suffer
I can't stand to see you cry
I cannot bear to see you in pain and tears
I realize that you when you're not around
I understand how much you mean to me when you are not with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., DAVID H. JR. JONES, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, WADE BROWN, WADE, JR. BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind