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.
Little Drummer Boy
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The song "Little Drummer Boy" by Smokey Robinson is a beautiful ode to the nativity story, focusing on the humble gifts presented to the newborn King and the heartfelt music that connects people to him.
The opening lines, "Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum," convey the invitation extended to the singer and others to come and see the newborn King. They are urged to bring their finest gifts, represented by the phrase "Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum." The repetition of "pa-rum pum pum pum" serves as the drumbeat that drives the song, symbolizing the rhythm of their footsteps and the ceremonial nature of their offering.
In the second paragraph, the singer acknowledges their lower social status, stating, "I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum." Feeling inadequate in terms of material wealth, the singer admits to not having a grand gift to present to the King. However, they offer to play their drum in honor of the King, highlighting the importance of one's talents and gifts, regardless of societal expectations.
Mary's approval is conveyed through the line "Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum," indicating her acceptance of the singer's humble offering. The reference to the Ox and Lamb keeping time signifies the presence of the surrounding animals, who seemingly join in the music-making. The singer then plays the drum, giving their best performance for the newborn King, embracing the power of music to express devotion and love.
The final lines, "Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum, Me and my drum," epitomize the climax of the story. The smile from the newborn King toward the drummer boy signifies his appreciation and acceptance of the simple yet heartfelt gift. It is a profound moment of connection, where the singer's act of playing the drum becomes a profound expression of love and devotion to the divine.
Overall, "Little Drummer Boy" is a poignant song that highlights the significance of personal offerings, regardless of their material value. It emphasizes the power of music as a form of worship, connecting individuals to the divine and conveying one's devotion and love for the newborn King.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They informed me to come with excitement and enthusiasm, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness our freshly arrived King, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We present our most exquisite offerings, pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place them as a tribute to the King, pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The rhythmic sound of our drum beats, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
As a way to show deep respect and admiration for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
When we arrive
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Tiny infant, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Similar to a destitute child, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I lack any present to offer, pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That would be suitable to give to our King, pa-rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Am I allowed to perform music for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
on my percussion instrument?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave a slight, affirmative head motion, pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb maintained the rhythm, pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I performed music on my drum for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I showcased my utmost skills for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The rhythmic sound of my drum beats, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
At that moment, He expressed joy with a smile towards me, pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Both myself and my drum
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind