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.
Just My Imagination
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday to you.
A few years ago on my birthday,
I had just become twenty-one (I remember).
I had a lot to live, said I had a lot to give,
And though that war he sent me to didn't claim me,
If I'm bitter don't blame me.
It's just my Soul responding.
Don't you try to tell me I'm un-patriotic.
I deserve an explanation!
I can't help but wonder,
If you really got it.
It's just my Soul responding,
Soul responding,
Soul responding
This land once belonged to my father,
And to his father before him too.
Let me tell you now, I'm on a reservation,
Living in a state of degradation.
What's a Soul suppose to do?
Cause I'm out,
Pushin, right?
I'm not in doubt.
When it's just my Soul responding,
To seeing little hungry children in the "Land of Plenty".
Just my Soul responding.
To doing lots of deeds.
But never having any.
It's just my Soul responding,
Soul responding,
Soul responding
I was born and raised in the ghetto,
On the run down side of the track.
And there are forces who do everything they can do,
To hold me back because my skin is black.
Oh, but more and more I mind!
Hell, It's about time!
It's just my Soul responding,
To being second-class in a land I helped to form
Just my Soul responding,
To too many roaches and not enough heat to keep my babies warm.
In this land I helped to form,
I've got too many roaches, and not enough heat to keep my babies warm.
It's just my Soul responding,
Soul responding,
Soul responding
The song "Just My Soul Responding" by Smokey Robinson is a poignant commentary on the experiences of African Americans in the United States. The lyrics reveal Robinson's frustration with the injustice and inequality that he, and others like him, have experienced throughout their lives. The opening lines of the song express a celebratory and happy tone, as Robinson wishes himself a happy birthday. However, the mood quickly changes when he recalls a traumatic experience of being given a gun and sent off to war.
Throughout the song, Robinson grapples with the many ways in which his soul responds to the injustices he sees around him. He questions his patriotism and demands an explanation for the systemic inequality he encounters. His lyrics touch on themes of poverty, racism, and the struggles of marginalized communities in America. Despite the hardships he has faced, Robinson's soul responds with determination and resilience, refusing to be silenced or held back.
Overall, "Just My Soul Responding" is a powerful reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
A few years ago on my birthday,
Looking back to a birthday when he was just becoming an adult.
I had just become twenty-one (I remember).
He turned 21 on that particular birthday.
I had a lot to live, said I had a lot to give,
He felt like he had a lot to offer to the world.
Til a man comes to give me a gun.
He was drafted into the military.
And though that war he sent me to didn't claim me,
He survived the war he was drafted into.
If I'm bitter don't blame me.
He feels justified in having some bitterness due to his experiences.
It's just my Soul responding.
He can't help his emotional response to difficult situations.
Don't you try to tell me I'm un-patriotic.
He resents being told he is not patriotic.
I deserve an explanation!
He feels he is owed a clear explanation for certain events or circumstances.
I can't help but wonder,
He is curious and questioning about what is happening around him.
If you really got it.
He doubts that certain people truly understand his experiences.
This land once belonged to my father,
His family has roots in the land he is living on.
And to his father before him too.
This family lineage goes back several generations.
Let me tell you now, I'm on a reservation,
He lives on a reservation with other Native Americans.
Living in a state of degradation.
The reservation is in a state of decline.
What's a Soul suppose to do?
He questions what he can do to address this situation.
Cause I'm out,
He is actively trying to make a difference.
Pushin, right?
He is working hard toward his goals.
I'm not in doubt.
He is certain in his beliefs and actions.
To seeing little hungry children in the "Land of Plenty".
He is upset by the sight of hungry children in a wealthy country.
Just my Soul responding.
His emotional response cannot be helped.
To doing lots of deeds.
He has taken many actions to try to make a positive difference.
But never having any.
He has not received much in the way of tangible results.
I was born and raised in the ghetto,
He grew up in an impoverished area.
On the run down side of the track.
He lived in a poor area that was not well-maintained.
And there are forces who do everything they can do,
There are people who actively work against him.
To hold me back because my skin is black.
He experiences racism regularly.
Oh, but more and more I mind!
He is increasingly bothered or affected by these issues.
Hell, It's about time!
He feels like it's past due for change to happen.
To being second-class in a land I helped to form
He is frustrated by the fact that he is not treated equally in a country he helped build.
To too many roaches and not enough heat to keep my babies warm.
He is struggling to keep his household comfortable and healthy due to poor conditions.
In this land I helped to form,
He has contributed significantly to the development of the country he lives in.
I've got too many roaches, and not enough heat to keep my babies warm.
He is facing unacceptable living conditions despite his contributions.
It's just my Soul responding.
He cannot control his emotional responses to these difficult situations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN TARPLIN, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ReyesOldies
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@Rose-ti2ei
Stop interrupting utube report u😮😮😮😮
@Sadeyes123
😊🎶🏖 thank you
@StarrHavoc
I grew up listening to this song. Im 34 now. My parents used to play this all weekend, we would have cookouts and friends and family over. I remember watching my mom at the kitchen table cutting up all the veggies for potato salads and marinating the meats for Dad to grill. Playing and running in the backyard all day. I just lost mom to covid jan 26 2021..i play this for her on the weekends and i close my eyes and imagine i am back there with her again. She was just 62. I love you momma...
@erikasanchez7972
Sweet memories, thank you for sharing yours.
@traceya9615
Music's so evocative, isn't it? I can visualise those cookouts. Bless you for keeping your mom close to you this way. You're a star 🌟
@Donald12308
Yep me too
@laurahamilton1573
so srry for ur loss sweetie keep those memories alive
@juangallegos5182
that's so nice wat a nice Memory thank u for sharing that Loved one Gracias have a nice Blessed day n Safe🙏👍💜🤎🖤🤍
@davidwalker8955
when i was courting! my then boyfriend in 1970, he use to sing this to me so sweet. Wev'e been married for fifty one years now.