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.
Might Good Lovin'
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is gonna change the way you act
It's gonna make you mine
And make you feel so fine
And that's a natural fact
When I get you by your hand
You're gonna let me have your heart
When mighty good loving gets a hold on you
It's mighty good now, hey yeah
It's mighty good now, hey yeah, hey yay
It's so good it's so good
It's so good now it's so good
Little girl, it's true there'll be nothing you can do
Oh when mighty good loving gets a hold on you
Well-a it's a mighty good feeling baby
When you know that your love is true
When you know that your man is gonna understand
And do everything he can for you
You're gonna let him have your hand
You're gonna let him have your heart
Little girl it's true there'll be nothing you can do
Oh when mighty good loving gets a hold on you
It's mighty good now, hey yeah
It's mighty good now, hey yeah, hey hey
It's so good it's so good
It's so good it's so good
Little girl it's true there'll be nothing you can do
When mighty good loving baby
I wanna love you, I wanna love you
I wanna love-a you right now a-love you more
Let-a you know that my love is strong
Oh come on come on come on come on
And let me love you I wanna love you
I wanna love I wanna love love love you
I wanna love-a you right now
The lyrics to "Mighty Good Lovin'" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles describe the transformative power of love. The song asserts that once love gets a hold on someone, there's nothing they can do about it - it will change the way they act and make them feel fine. The singer promises to take care of his love interest and do everything he can for her. He expresses his desire to love her and states that his love is strong.
The song's lyrics are optimistic and joyful, suggesting that love can have a positive and transformative effect on a person's life. The use of repetition in the chorus gives the song a catchy hook that is easy to sing along to. The lyrics also highlight some gender roles and stereotypes that were common in the 1960s, such as the man being the one to take care of the woman and protect her.
Overall, "Mighty Good Lovin'" is a classic upbeat Motown love song that celebrates the power of love to change lives.
Line by Line Meaning
A mighty good loving baby
Prepare yourself for some exceptionally great love
Is gonna change the way you act
This love will transform your behavior
It's gonna make you mine
You'll be completely devoted to me
And make you feel so fine
You'll feel amazing and fulfilled
And that's a natural fact
This love is undeniable and true
When I get you by your hand
When we get close and intimate
You're gonna let me have your heart
You'll give me all of your love
Little girl it's true there'll be nothing you can do
Once in love, you won't be able to resist
When mighty good loving gets a hold on you
This type of love will overpower you
It's mighty good now, hey yeah
This is some exceptional love we're talking about here
It's so good it's so good
The love is so fulfilling and satisfying
Little girl, it's true there'll be nothing you can do
You'll be completely swept away by this love
Well-a it's a mighty good feeling baby
This love is so powerful that it will make you feel great
When you know that your love is true
This is genuine and authentic love
When you know that your man is gonna understand
This love comes with understanding and acceptance
And do everything he can for you
Your partner will go above and beyond for you
You're gonna let him have your hand
You'll trust your partner and give them your hand in love
It's mighty good now, hey yeah
Once again, this is some unforgettable love
It's so good it's so good
The love is so wonderful, there are no words
When mighty good loving baby
This love is the real deal
I wanna love you, I wanna love you
I want to shower you with all my love
I wanna love-a you right now a-love you more
I want to love you so much that it hurts
Let-a you know that my love is strong
You need to know the strength of my devotion
Oh come on come on come on come on
Let's not waste any time, let's love!
And let me love you I wanna love you
Be open and let me love you completely
I wanna love I wanna love love love you
I want to love you fully, with all my heart
I wanna love-a you right now
I want to love you this very moment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind