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 That Woman
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, a thousand times you ask yourself why
The one guy you love has departed
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted, ooh
Love just comes and it goes
How long it's gonna last, say, nobody knows
That's the way love is, baby
Oh, that's the way love is, sugar, that's how it is
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, that's how it is, my little dalin'
I know you're walkin' down a lonesome road
And your heart is carryin' a heavy load
I know you feel like you ain't got a friend (ain't got a friend)
Oh, and your whole world is cavin' in (whole world cavin' in)
Oh, but now's the time to be strong (to be strong)
You gotta forget him now that he's gone (now that he's gone)
And remember
That's the way love is, honey
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
That's the way love is, baby, that's how it is
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, oh, my little darlin'
Oh, baby, ooh
Oh, listen to me, little darlin'
The road of love gets rough sometimes don't let it get the best of you
Said, I've been hurt by another so many times
So I know just what you're goin' through
Oh, you wish that you were never born, you gotta forget him now that he's gone
Just remember
That's the way love is, baby
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, that's the way love is, honey
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
That's how it is
So wipe away your tears
Love is here today and gone tomorrow
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
I-I say all of your joys turn to sorrow
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Oh, one day gladness, next day sadness
In Smokey Robinson's Love Is The Light, the lyrics speak to a woman who is heartbroken and lost without her love. She is crying bitter tears and looking for answers to why her love has left her. Smokey sings that love is unpredictable and fleeting. Nobody knows how long it will last or when it will go away. That's just how love is. The chorus is a reminder to the listener that they are not alone in their pain. Love is hard, and it comes with both happiness and hurt. The singer tells the woman that although she feels alone and friendless, she needs to be strong and let go of her departed love. Instead of dwelling on the past, she needs to move forward.
The song suggests that the road of love can be rough, and the heart can become heavy with sadness. The chorus speaks again to remind us that love is unpredictable; it can bring us joy one day and sadness the next. We must accept love for what it is, recognizing that it can be here today and gone tomorrow. Love is a light that shines brightly in our lives, but it can also cast deep shadows, which we must be prepared to handle. Smokey Robinson's song Love Is The Light speaks to the complicated nature of love and the challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, baby, as the bitter tears fall from your eyes
The sadness and heartbreak that you feel is evident and clear.
Oh, a thousand times you ask yourself why
You keep questioning yourself and trying to make sense of what happened.
The one guy you love has departed
The person you care for so deeply has left you behind.
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted, ooh
You're feeling lonely and your heart is shattered.
Love just comes and it goes
Love is unpredictable - it can arrive unexpectedly, and it can disappear just as quickly.
How long it's gonna last, say, nobody knows
No one can predict how long love will last - it can be fleeting or everlasting.
That's the way love is, baby
This is just the nature of love - it can be wonderful, but it can also be painful.
(That's the way love is, sure enough, how it is)
This sentiment is true and unchanging - love will always have its ups and downs.
Oh, that's the way love is, sugar, that's how it is
This is just the reality of love - it can be beautiful and magical, but it can also be tough and unforgiving.
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
These are the unwavering facts about love - it can be wonderful and painful, all at once.
Oh, that's how it is, my little dalin'
This is the truth about love, and it's important to remember it.
I know you're walkin' down a lonesome road
You may feel isolated and lonely during this difficult time.
And your heart is carryin' a heavy load
You're struggling to cope with the weight of your heartache and emotions.
I know you feel like you ain't got a friend (ain't got a friend)
You may feel like you have no support or companionship during this trying time.
Oh, and your whole world is cavin' in (whole world cavin' in)
Everything may seem like it's falling apart around you, and it's hard to keep going.
Oh, but now's the time to be strong (to be strong)
It's important to stay resilient and prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.
You gotta forget him now that he's gone (now that he's gone)
It's important to move on and stop dwelling on the pain of the past.
And remember
Instead of focusing on the past, look forward to the future.
That's the way love is, honey
Love can be tumultuous and difficult, but it's worth it in the end.
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
This is just the way it is - love can bring both joy and heartache.
That's the way love is, baby, that's how it is
This is just a fact of life - love can be both magnificent and painful.
Oh, oh, my little darlin'
Even in the midst of such difficult times, it's important to remember that you're loved and valued.
Oh, baby, ooh
You're feeling down and out, but things will get better soon.
Oh, listen to me, little darlin'
Listen to these words of wisdom and guidance.
The road of love gets rough sometimes don't let it get the best of you
Love can be a difficult journey, but it's important to stay strong and resilient.
Said, I've been hurt by another so many times
The singer has gone through similar heartaches and difficulties with love and relationships.
So I know just what you're goin' through
The singer can empathize with your pain and struggles.
Oh, you wish that you were never born, you gotta forget him now that he's gone
It's easy to feel hopeless and defeated after a relationship ends, but it's important to move on and embrace the future.
So wipe away your tears
It's time to let go of the past and start a new chapter in your life.
Love is here today and gone tomorrow
Love can be fleeting and temporary.
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
This is just the way things are - love can be unpredictable and ever-changing.
I-I say all of your joys turn to sorrow
Even the happiest moments can be followed by sadness and heartbreak.
(That's the way love is, sure enough how it is)
Love has its ups and downs, and it's just the way things are.
Oh, one day gladness, next day sadness
One moment you can be filled with joy and happiness, and in the next moment, everything can change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sheila Burns
I was 8 years old and spending the night with my big sister and she played this song, and I kept playing it. I'm now 63 and it still sounds just as sweet. (Love YouTube and all the wonderful folks who post these timeless classics. THANK YOU!!!) … PEACE.
Janis Davis
Smokey, a true poet. LOVE this guy.
Paulboy
This was my mom's jam. I remember being a kid, and her playing her album's while cleaning, or changing the furniture around. I miss those day's..
PATRICIA MISSIE
My mother would be listening to Marvin Gaye,
MaeKae
"I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW PRECIOUS TO CARE IS, AND YOU KNOW THAT I KNOW, MY DARLING, THAT THERE IS" ( The man is a genius)
Arthur Waller- Nowlin
Check it the lyrics in "In case you need love" and "All that's good".
Karen Thurmond
Exactly! Wow!
grammyj1
MaeKae ~ yass GENIUS poet💞
Deborah Patterson
Smokey is the GOAT at lyrics. Just listen to the words of his songs.
Solowolf
Agreed! His lyrics even grab me and I'm usually all into instrumentals.