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 Girl Has Gone )
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
When you were mine, I loved you so much
I got a thrill from your every touch
You went away with somebody else
Now all I can say to comfort myself
Is that my girl has gone and said goodbye
Don't give up, give love one more try
'Cause there's a right girl for every guy, baby
Although your love wasn't right for me
Good for another it will, maybe
Some girls were just made for some guys
Now I've got to make myself realize
That my girl has gone (yes she has) and said goodbye
But I told myself, don't you cry, hold your head up high
Keep on trying, don't give up, give love one more try
Believe me now, there's a right girl for every guy, oh yeah
I've got the feeling, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, baby
My happiness and all that best
That's all I wish for you, oh baby
Now look at me, in misery
I'm feeling sad and I'm blue
I said I'm sad and I'm blue
Oh yeah sad and I'm blue
I said I'm sad and I'm blue
Because my girl is gone, gone, gone gone and said goodbye
But I told myself, don't you cry, hold your head up high
Keep on trying, don't give up, give love one more try
Believe me now, yeah, there's a right girl for every guy, oh yeah
My girl has gone (yes she did) and said goodbye
Don't you cry, hold your head up high
Don't give up
, give love one more try".
"My Girl Has Gone" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles is a soulful ballad about losing love and trying to move on. The lyrics express the pain and sadness of losing someone you love and the struggle to find comfort in the fact that someone else may be better suited for your former partner. The song acknowledges the fact that not everyone is meant to be together, and while the pain of a breakup can be overwhelming, it is important to keep trying and believing that there is someone out there who is the right fit.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics - the repetition of "doo doo doo" creates a melancholic and nostalgic mood. The lyrics tie into the Motown sound of the 60s, a decade where the longing for romantic love and the pain of heartbreak were common themes in popular music. The song is a highlight of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' discography, and showcases the group's distinctive vocal harmonies and skillful songwriting.
Line by Line Meaning
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
The song starts with a melody that is meant to grab the listener's attention.
When you were mine, I loved you so much
The singer reminisces about how much he loved his ex-girlfriend while they were still together.
I got a thrill from your every touch
Being with her was an exciting and pleasurable experience for him.
You went away with somebody else
The ex-girlfriend left the singer and started a relationship with someone else.
Now all I can say to comfort myself
The singer tries to find some kind of consolation for his heartbreak.
Is that my girl has gone and said goodbye
The only thought that gives him comfort is acknowledging the fact that the relationship is over.
Don't you cry, hold your head up high
He encourages himself to be strong and not to dwell on the past.
Don't give up, give love one more try
He advises himself not to give up on love altogether and to keep searching for the right person.
'Cause there's a right girl for every guy, baby
The singer reassures himself that there is someone out there who is meant to be with him.
Although your love wasn't right for me
The singer reflects on the fact that, even though his ex-girlfriend wasn't the right fit for him, she might be perfect for someone else.
Good for another it will, maybe
He believes that, even though the relationship didn't work out with him, it might work out for someone else in the future.
Some girls were just made for some guys
The singer acknowledges that some people are meant to be together, while others are not.
Now I've got to make myself realize
He realizes that it's time for him to move on and accept that the relationship is over.
But I told myself, don't you cry, hold your head up high
The singer repeats his earlier advice to himself, trying to be strong and positive.
Keep on trying, don't give up, give love one more try
He encourages himself to keep searching for love and not to let the hurt of his past relationship get in the way.
Believe me now, there's a right girl for every guy, oh yeah
He reaffirms his belief that there is someone out there who is meant to be with him.
My happiness and all that best
The singer wishes his ex-girlfriend all the best in life, hoping that she finds happiness.
That's all I wish for you, oh baby
He makes it clear that he still cares for her, even though they are no longer together.
Now look at me, in misery
The singer reflects on the sadness he feels after the relationship has ended.
I'm feeling sad and I'm blue
He is very unhappy and downhearted.
Because my girl is gone, gone, gone gone and said goodbye
The singer repeats the sad reality that his ex-girlfriend has left him and ended their relationship.
Believe me now, yeah, there's a right girl for every guy, oh yeah
The singer repeats his earlier reassurance that he is confident he will find someone who is right for him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN TARPLIN, RONALD WHITE, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind