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 Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gather 'round my friends here
Help me forget my hurtin' tears
About the only girl I ever loved
The only one baby
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
I've got to dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Do the twist (do the twist)
Everybody, it goes like this
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
'Cause I'm so lonely since we parted
Our memories leaves me so broken hearted
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
I've got to dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Do the bird (do the bird)
Do the fly (do the fly)
Come on, gang, you know, by by by, oh yeah
Do the bang, yeah, you can't miss
Everybody, yeah, it goes like this
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Heartaches can gather 'round
Misery I surely found
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
I've got to dance to keep from crying' (crying)
Ooh, you've got the wrong girl
I think you're makin' up too much noise
So get soft, oh, just a little bit soft
Oh, just a little bit soft, soft, soft, soft, soft, just a little bit soft, soft, soft
Guess, I turn it up, I, guess I turn it up, I, guess I turn it up, higher, just a little bit
Come on and dance with me, swing, dance with me swing
I do that move, I do that move,
The lyrics to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' "I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying" speak to the idea that dancing can serve as a way to distract oneself from the pain of heartbreak. The opening lines call for help from friends to forget about a lost love, and the repetition of the phrase "I gotta dance to keep from cryin'" emphasizes the point that dancing is a necessary distraction. The song acknowledges the struggles of heartbreak, with lines like "Heartaches can gather 'round, Misery I surely found" but ultimately promotes the idea that dancing can provide temporary relief from the pain.
The song's structure reflects its message, with a lively beat and a call-and-response format that encourages listeners to participate in the dancing themselves. The various dance styles mentioned in the lyrics, like the twist and the bird, were popular dance crazes of the time and add to the song's lively energy. The repeated use of the phrase "got me swayin', got me, alright" highlights the way that dancing can make one feel carefree and temporarily alleviate emotional pain.
Overall, "I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying" is a fun and energetic song that promotes the power of music and dance to uplift individuals in the face of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on everybody
Let's gather together
Gather 'round my friends here
Stand close to me, my friends
Help me forget my hurtin' tears
I'm in pain and need your support
About the only girl I ever loved
I'm heartbroken over my past love
The only one baby
She was the one for me
I gotta dance to keep from cryin' (crying)
Dancing distracts me from my tears
I've got to dance to keep from crying' (crying)
I must dance to avoid crying
Whoa, do the flop (do the flop)
Let's do the dance called the flop
Do the twist (do the twist)
Let's also do the dance called the twist
Everybody, it goes like this
Here's how to dance to this song
You gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
Dancing makes me feel better
Gotta dance, got me swayin', got me, alright
I need to dance to feel okay
'Cause I'm so lonely since we parted
I feel incredibly lonely since we broke up
Our memories leaves me so broken hearted
Thinking of our past memories makes my heart ache
Do the bird (do the bird)
We can also do the dance called the bird
Do the fly (do the fly)
Let's try the dance move called the fly
Come on, gang, you know, by by by, oh yeah
Join in, everyone, and dance with me
Do the bang, yeah, you can't miss
Let's try another dance move called the bang
Heartaches can gather 'round
My heartache is overwhelming
Misery I surely found
I am definitely feeling miserable
Ooh, you've got the wrong girl
I'm not interested in you
I think you're makin' up too much noise
You're bothering me
So get soft, oh, just a little bit soft
Lower your volume a bit
Oh, just a little bit soft, soft, soft, soft, soft, just a little bit soft, soft, soft
I need you to quiet down
Guess, I turn it up, I, guess I turn it up, I, guess I turn it up, higher, just a little bit
I'll increase the music volume a bit
Come on and dance with me, swing, dance with me swing
Let's dance together, and swing too
I do that move, I do that move
I know this dance move well
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@captainkeyboard1007
I am 67 years-old and still love Motown music. I loved this song since I was a little kid. It is one of my Smokey Robinson & The Miracles favorites on Tamla.
@cynthiachavis9678
I'm 70 reminds me of partying at mommys on them 45s
@michaelrorie5095
My goodness. Philadelphia was like that when this song came out. I was about 5 and my dad took a road trip to Philly from D.C. The best of times
@vanessakler5596
Top tune ... One of my favourite Northern Soul records... England
@addiebrooks6169
Music of the past, it will never come back. Oh, how I miss those days. They were truly the "Good Old Days".
@yvonnemendez3075
Yes yes that was real music and talent 😂❤
@deborahmccoy3837
Good Memories brought Me Here. Oh Those Sweet, Innocent, Good Times.
@yvonnemendez3075
Luv this should been a big hit luv Smokey 😂❤❤
@fredlawson9394
No school like the old School Jamz..🎤🎹🎸🎺🎷🎶🎵🎼🖤❤️🤍
@yvonnemendez3075
Dam I could listen to Smokie forever luv his voice thx Smokie for your beautiful talent your music is timeless let's do a linedance