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 Second That Emotion
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'll go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse that none at all
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion, oh
Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
And so it makes you wise to break the rules
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(Oh)
In "I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the singer addresses a potential lover who may not be interested in commitment. The singer suggests that this person may be willing to share some temporary love and affection, but only for a short time with no promise of a future together. The singer then admits that such a situation would only lead to heartbreak and instead encourages the potential lover to consider a longer-lasting relationship with the singer. The song's title itself is a pun, as "second that emotion" sounds like "second that notion."
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
Perhaps you will offer me affection, but only briefly and without repetition
But only for one night with no repeat
Offering me love, but only for a brief period, without engaging in future romantic interactions
And maybe you'll go away and never call
Perhaps after a short romantic fling, you will disappear from my life with no further communication
And a taste of honey is worse than none at all
Being given small amounts of love and affection, but then having it cut off, is worse than not experiencing it at all
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
If that's the case, I don't want to be involved in your temporary affections
I do believe that that would only break my heart
I truly believe that your fleeting love and departure would be emotionally painful for me
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
However, if you genuinely want to love and care for me
If you got the notion
If the idea of expressing love occurs to you
I second that emotion
I support and confirm that emotion, and would also love and care for you in return
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
If you want to express long-term love and care towards me
I second that emotion, oh
I fully support that idea and promise to reciprocate your lifetime of devotion
Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
Perhaps you believe that love will restrict and inhibit you
And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think you don't have extra time to devote to a relationship
Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
Alternatively, you may consider that love is only for those gullible enough to fall for it
And so it makes you wise to break the rules
Therefore, you consider it wise to not engage in love or relationships and to actively go against societal norms
(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(I still confirm my support and love for you, regardless of your doubts about love)
(Oh)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred Cleveland, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sixunderground2002
Verse 1]
Maybe you want to give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'd go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse than none at all
[Hook]
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
[Verse 2]
Maybe you think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think that love was made for fools
So it makes you wise to break the rules
[Hook]
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
@Morgan-pz3ni
Maybe you want to give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'd go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse than none at all
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
Maybe you think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think that love was made for fools
So it makes you wise to break the rules
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
@GreigStott
Never fail to be uplifted by this one, magic 🙏❤️
@chemistryset1
well said, such a sweet and soulful song
@gilbertochoa6982
The Motown sound is unlike any other. It is real. The sound produced came from pure talent and is timeless.
@Suri-A_
"If you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion I second that emotion " sends chills up & down my spine! WOW!
@woahmusic
@Markus Patients why are one night stands knocking on your door, anyway?
@lukeskywalker1840
No Auto-Tune, no electronics, no gimmicks. 100 percent talent.
@angelbaby9680
PURE MICHIGAN
@bellofortis2020
Smokey and Marvin.
That's it. That's the list.
@martynh5410
I also second that!
@joanjett8814
All I know is it sounds absolutely incredible to me ..