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.
Love Bath
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a love bath baby
Take a love bath baby
Let's take a love bath baby
Put some water in the tub and do the body rub
Touchin'
Close as can be, I'm touchin' you... you're touchin' me
Lets take a love bath baby
Take a love bath baby
Take a love bath baby
Lets take a love bath baby
Hot! As a love can be
We got! all the time we need
I-E, don't want to end this night
Soft candlelight, everything's right
Lets take a love bath baby
Take a love bath baby
Take a love bath baby
Lets take a love bath baby
You, what a wonderful sight
All wet glowin' in the candlelight
I want to stay here forever
I want to see, if you can take all of me
Let's take a love bath baby
Take a love bath babe
Take a love bath baby
Lets take a love bath baby
The lyrics to Smokey Robinson's song "Love Bath" are comprised of multiple verses describing an intimate moment shared by two people. The chorus repeats the phrase "Let's take a love bath baby," creating a sense of indulgence and closeness. The song begins with the suggestion to "Put some water in the tub and do the body rub," emphasizing the physicality of the moment. The next line, "Close as can be, I'm touchin' you... you're touchin' me," expresses the emotional intimacy that accompanies the physical, as the two individuals become fully present with each other.
As the song continues, it emphasizes the intensity of the love that the two share. Lines such as "Hot! As a love can be" and "all the time we need" indicate that the moment is charged with passion and present, undistracted attention. The line "Soft candlelight, everything's right" exemplifies the mood of the song - soothing and romantic, with nothing but each other's company. The final verse expresses the desire for the moment to never end, with Smokey stating "I want to see, if you can take all of me," suggesting that the two could stay in this moment of connectedness forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's Take a love bath baby
Robinson is proposing that he and his lover take a love bath together.
Put some water in the tub and do the body rub
He suggests that they run some water in the tub and rub each other's bodies to get ready for their love bath.
Touchin'
As they're rubbing each other, they're touching each other intimately.
Close as can be, I'm touchin' you... you're touchin' me
They're getting as physically close to each other as they can, touching and exploring each other's bodies with their hands.
Hot! As a love can be
Their love for each other is as hot as it can be.
We got! all the time we need
They have plenty of time to spend together and enjoy each other's company.
I-E, don't want to end this night
Robinson doesn't want their time together to end and he wants to make the most of their love bath experience.
Soft candlelight, everything's right
The atmosphere is perfect for their love bath, with soft candlelight creating a relaxing, romantic mood.
You, what a wonderful sight
Robinson admires his lover's physical beauty as they're soaking in the tub.
All wet glowin' in the candlelight
His lover's skin is glistening in the candlelight, adding to their sensual experience.
I want to stay here forever
Robinson wishes he could stay in this perfect moment with his lover forever.
I want to see, if you can take all of me
He wants his lover to experience all of him, physically and emotionally, and is eager to explore their relationship further.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pauletta Nelson
Smokey's voice and moans makes me wanna take a love bath. Lyrics right on time, as usual. His talent for composing, singing and looks, just helps me to ooze on thru life. This is real nice..... Thanks Smokey!!!
quincy cox
this is a damn good song. loving it Smokey
Kimberly Baskerville
Just heard him sing this tonight and I loved it. The live performance is awesome.
djolskool1968
Smokey is still doing it after all these years!
Kali Schmitt
Saw Smokey for the first time last Friday at the Casino.... What a amazing show. I love Motown Records, but smokey is the key here. I cant believe how cool this guy still is and how much he still rocks it! FABULOUS! This would about the only concert I would travel out of state for.
MaryLeekeg
I love this song it just the right music to put you in the right mood the song is so amazing and just right for any occassion. Smokey still got it and looking good you go Smoke don't stop.
Havenly Beats
What an amazing song...awesome beat and melody
G Norwood
Smokey's been kickin' it like this since the 50's! Thank God!!
#1 Queen
Love this song he shouldn't have to beg
Robert Mayo
G Norwood future future future future