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.
My Business Your Pleasure
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one you love goes in another direction
And you just sit there in a daze reminiscing
When you know some other lips he's been kissing
Now when you need the love he's never shown you come round here
And when you need some loving arms to hold you come round here
Now I may not be the one you want
Said I may not be the one you want
Ooh but I know I'm the one you need
Your life stands still the minute he goes
You count the hours just hoping he shows
Girl can't you see while you're longing for his touch
That I'm the one who loves you so much
While you're longing for his embrace
You're all alone there with tears on your face
Now when you feel the need to cry to someone cry to me
And when you feel the need to lean on someone lean on me
Now I may not be the one you want but I sure 'nuff the one you need
Oh baby I may not be the one you want ooh but I know I'm the one you need
Now the days the days you sit alone by yourself
He's out fooling round with somebody else
Leaving you alone here with nothing to do
Just waiting 'till he has time for you
Now when the loneliness gets hard to bear girl come round here
And when you need a little tender loving care girl come round here
Now I may not be the one you want
But I know I'm the one you need...
In Smokey Robinson's "My Business, Your Pleasure," the singer is boldly telling his love interest that although he may not be the one she wants, he is undoubtedly the one she needs. He is tired of watching her pine for someone who doesn't reciprocate her feelings and is always with other women. Her crying and loneliness haunt him, and he acknowledges he is the person she should confide in and lean on when she is in need of love and affection. Though the girl is still longing for the forbidden love, the singer is confident that he can alleviate the hurt, pain, and ache in her heart.
The lyrics to the song are simple and easy to understand, but the message is quite powerful. The song's sentiment illustrates that sometimes true love is closer than we think, and we may fail to see it when we're blinded by the allure of another. However, when love fails, it is always essential to have someone who can support us and provide comfort during a tumultuous time.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you say every time you need some affection
The one you love goes in another direction
And you just sit there in a daze reminiscing
When you know some other lips he's been kissing
You mention that whenever you need attention, the person you love is not available as they choose to go towards someone else. You are lost in thought, remembering the times spent together, while knowing that they have already moved on to someone else.
Now when you need the love he's never shown you come round here
And when you need some loving arms to hold you come round here
Now I may not be the one you want
Oh But I know I'm the one you need
Said I may not be the one you want
Ooh but I know I'm the one you need
When you feel unloved and need affection, come to me as I will provide you with the love and care you need. You may not think of me as a perfect match, but I know inside that I am the one who can fulfill your requirements.
Your life stands still the minute he goes
You count the hours just hoping he shows
Girl can't you see while you're longing for his touch
That I'm the one who loves you so much
While you're longing for his embrace
You're all alone there with tears on your face
Your life comes to a standstill the moment the one you love is gone. You wait for hours, hoping they will return. You long for their love and touch, but can't you see that I love you much more? While you cry alone longing for their embrace, I am here to comfort you.
Now when you feel the need to cry to someone cry to me
And when you feel the need to lean on someone lean on me
Now I may not be the one you want but I sure 'nuff the one you need
Oh baby I may not be the one you want ooh but I know I'm the one you need
Whenever you feel like crying and need someone to talk to, come to me. When you need someone to lean on, I'll be there to support you. You may not consider me as your first choice, but I am the one you truly need.
Now the days the days you sit alone by yourself
He's out fooling round with somebody else
Leaving you alone here with nothing to do
Just waiting 'till he has time for you
You spend your days alone while the one you love is out with others. You have nothing much to do but wait for them to have some time for you.
Now when the loneliness gets hard to bear girl come round here
And when you need a little tender loving care girl come round here
Now I may not be the one you want
But I know I'm the one you need...
If you feel lonely and need company, come to me. When you need love and care, come to me. You may not desire to be with me, but I know you need me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN TARPLIN, ROBERT ROGERS, RONALD WHITE, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind