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 N Life
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, baby
The guys all fought over each other
Just to get next to you
They try too hard and they smile too much
I admit that Ive done it too
Hangin' around like we do (Like we do)
When everything you touch shines a little brighter
Everything you say sounds so fine
Every time we meet I feel a little lighter
Tell me how can I make you mine
I wish I knew what I could do
To stand out from the crowd, yes
To be the one (That you) you reach out to
And put your arms around
How can you blame me for wanting to be
The only that you see (That you see)
When everything you touch shines a little brighter
Everything you say sounds so fine
Every time we meet I feel a little lighter
Tell me how can I make you mine
Oh, touch me, baby
It would feel so good
Oh, kiss me, baby
Cause I know it would, ho
Love me, baby
Come on love me, love me (Yeah), love me, oh
Love me, love me, baby
Oh, oh, yes
I hope some day Ill wake up and see
The one you're holdin' is me (Holdin' me)
Everything you touch shines a little brighter
Everything you say sounds so fine
Every time we meet I feel a little lighter
Tell me how can I make you mine
(Everything you touch) Shines a little brighter
(Everything you say) Comes out right
(Every time we meet) I feel a little lighter, lighter, lighter
(Tell me how can I) Tell me how can I make you mine tonight
(Everything you touch) Everything, everything, everything, everything
(Everything you say) Everything you say sounds so fine
(Every time we meet) Every time, every time, every time, every time
In Smokey Robinson's song "Love 'N Life," he sings about being infatuated with a woman who seems to have a magical effect on those around her. The guys "acted like fools" and "smiled too much" just to be near her, including Smokey himself. He is drawn to her because everything she touches seems to shine a little brighter, and every time they meet he feels a little lighter. Smokey wishes he could stand out from the crowd and be the one she reaches out to, holding him instead of someone else. He hopes that someday she will wake up and see that he is the one she should be with.
The song captures the essence of infatuation and the desire to be loved by someone who seems almost out of reach. The lyrics convey the frustration and longing that come with being enamored of someone who is desired by many others, and the hopelessness of trying to separate oneself from a crowd of admirers. The repetition of the phrase "everything you touch shines a little brighter" is a powerful image that conveys the almost mystical effect this woman has on those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
The guys all fought over each other
The guys would try to outdo one another to impress the person (you)
Just to get next to you
The guys would do anything to be close to the person (you)
They try too hard and they smile too much
The guys would exaggerate their behavior to win the person's (your) attention
I admit that Ive done it too
The singer (I) confesses to also having acted foolishly to impress the person (you)
How can you blame us for actin' like fools
The singer (I) thinks it's understandable for others to act foolishly to impress the person (you)
Hangin' around like we do
The guys spend time around the person (you) hoping to win their favor
When everything you touch shines a little brighter
The person (you) seems to make everything around them better and more vibrant
Everything you say sounds so fine
The person's (your) words are captivating and alluring to the singer (I)
Every time we meet I feel a little lighter
The singer (I) always feels happier and more carefree when around the person (you)
Tell me how can I make you mine
The singer (I) wants to know what he can do to win the person (your) heart
I wish I knew what I could do
The singer (I) desires to know what he can do to stand out and win your affection
To stand out from the crowd, yes
The singer (I) wants to distinguish himself from the other guys vying for your attention
To be the one (That you) you reach out to
The singer (I) wants to be the person that you (the girl he desires) comes to and depends on
And put your arms around
The singer (I) wants to be held and loved by the person (you) he desires
How can you blame me for wanting to be
The singer (I) thinks his desire to be with the person (you) is reasonable and justified
The only that you see (That you see)
The singer (I) wants to be the only person that the person (you) notices and pays attention to
Oh, touch me, baby
The singer (I) desires physical affection from the person (you) he is pursuing
It would feel so good
The singer (I) believes that physical affection from the person (you) would bring him happiness
Oh, kiss me, baby
The singer (I) desires a romantic kiss from the person (you) he is pursuing
Cause I know it would, ho
The singer (I) believes that a romantic kiss from the person (you) would bring him happiness and joy
Love me, baby
The singer (I) desires the person (you) to love him romantically
Come on love me, love me (Yeah), love me, oh
The singer (I) wants the person (you) to reciprocate his feelings of love and affection
I hope some day Ill wake up and see
The singer (I) wishes to one day wake up and realize that the person (you) he desires is in love with him
The one you're holdin' is me (Holdin' me)
The singer (I) wishes that he could be the person (you) are holding and loving
(Everything you touch) Shines a little brighter
The person (you) has a special way of making everything appear more vibrant and attractive
(Everything you say) Comes out right
The person (you) has a way with words and everything they say is perfect and appealing to the singer (I)
(Every time we meet) I feel a little lighter, lighter, lighter
The singer (I) feels happier and more carefree every time he is around the person (you)
(Tell me how can I) Tell me how can I make you mine tonight
The singer (I) desires to know what he can do to win the person (your) heart tonight
(Everything you touch) Everything, everything, everything, everything
The person (you) has a way of making everything shine and look amazing
(Everything you say) Everything you say sounds so fine
The person (you) is captivating and alluring in everything they say to the singer (I)
(Every time we meet) Every time, every time, every time, every time
The singer (I) feels the same level of joy and happiness every time he meets the person (you)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAMELA P. RESWICK, STEPHEN E. WERFEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertthacher-ro6bh
As a 14 year old back in 67, this was my favorite song by Smokey. Sweet days of youth!
@denise8881m
Me too. I was sweet 16 in 67 and I absolutely loved it! ❤
@user-tk1ht6wn3j
I was 12. Even after all these years, when I hear this song, I flash back to sunset on a warm summer night in late August riding around Belle Isle in Detroit with my grandparents. It was the "Summer of Love" but there had been horrible riots. Although not everything was terrible in Motown back then.
@jazzmanchgo
Smokey wrote this song after his wife Claudette had suffered a couple of miscarriages, and she was feeling guilty for having "let him down." He wanted to reassure her that she hadn't let him down, there was nothing to feel guilty about, and his love for her was lasting and real. This one came from the heart.
@1773JC
Beautiful.
@keithharriston3176
And then he left her.
@yvonnechevannes9825
He did, did not know that. My me
@johnlemoine5571
I didn't know. I only got a phone in November and got a new car. I'm 68 and coming out of the Stone Age. Thanks so much for that information. I didn't know. That makes this song even more special to me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMOKEY!!!!
@darryljbethea644
I wish on yours none
@rlmurc
I loved this song before I met my wife. She died in 1991. We had been married less than three and a half years. We lost 2 baby's to miscarriage and this song is going to go with me to my grave.