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.
Piece of My Heart
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't explain the things you do to me
But I'm sure there's an explanation or
Maybe it's the way that you carry yourself
Or maybe it's your conversation
Ooh, you've got me tiptoein' on a cloud
I pray that I might fall through
And hit rock bottom, soon to be forgotten
I need you to help me convince myself (oh oh oh, I love you)
That besides me there's no one else (oh oh oh, I love you)
'Cause I, (I feel) I feel a whole lotta shakin' in my heart (in my heart) since I met you, girl
Don't you know I, feel a whole lotta shakin' in my heart (in my heart) since I met you?
The guys I used to run around with
Tell me I've changed, that I'm acting kinda strange
But they don't realize that since I met you
My whole life has been rearranged
Ooh, you make me feel kinda insecure
'Cause my heart, I can no longer control
And you've got me knockin', jumpin' and stoppin'
Don't know which way I'm supposed to go
My heart is all tied up in knots (oh oh oh, I love you)
I walk around daily in a state of shock (oh oh oh, I love you)
'Cause I (whole lotta feelin' of lovin' in my heart since I met you, girl)
Don't you know I got a feelin' (there's a whole lotta feelin' of love in my heart since I met you?)
Whole lotta feelin' of love in my heart since I met you, girl
There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in my heart since I met you
Now my heart is all tied up in knots (oh oh oh, I love you)
I walk around daily in a state of shock (oh oh oh, I love you)
'Cause I (whole lotta feelin' of lovin' in my heart since I met you, girl)
There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in my heart since I met you, you, you
(You know what?) a whole shakin' goin' on (shake me up, yeah) in my heart since I met you, girl
(Yeah, you makin' me shiver, ooh, you makin' me shiver) There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on
In my heart since I met
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ “Whole Lot of Shakin' in My Heart” is a love song that explores the overwhelming sensation of being in love. The singer is not able to explain the feelings that his lover invokes in him but knows that he is indeed in love. The lyrics suggest that the cause of his attraction is not just physical but also the way she carries herself and converses with him. The singer is not used to feeling this way and is uncertain of his emotions. He is afraid of falling too hard too quickly, and the fact that his friends are noticing his strange behavior makes him feel even more vulnerable. He longs for his friends to accept his feelings towards his lover and convinces himself that she is the only one for him.
The lyrics express the disorienting feeling of being in love that can “shake” someone’s world. The singer’s heart is in a state of shock, and he is “all tied up in knots.” He is scared but also excited, as he knows he has found someone special. The singer's vulnerability and emotional state of mind are described through the metaphor of physical shaking and trembling. He feels as though he is standing on a cloud and prays that he falls through, but at the same time, he wishes that he could regain control over his emotions. The song highlights the paradoxical feelings that come with newfound love- the thrill of excitement mixed with the fear of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, yeah
Expressing enjoyment and anticipation
I can't explain the things you do to me
There are no words to describe how you make me feel
But I'm sure there's an explanation or
I know there must be a reason for why I feel this way
Maybe it's the way that you carry yourself
Perhaps it's your confident demeanor
Or maybe it's your conversation
It could be the way you speak and connect with me
Ooh, you've got me tiptoein' on a cloud
You have me feeling like I'm walking on air
I pray that I might fall through
I hope I can fall deeper into love with you
And hit rock bottom, soon to be forgotten
I want to surrender completely to you and not look back
Like so many other people do
Like others who have given their hearts to someone they love
I need you to help me convince myself (oh oh oh, I love you)
I need your reassurance to know that my feelings for you are real
That besides me there's no one else (oh oh oh, I love you)
I want to believe that you love me and only me
'Cause I, (I feel) I feel a whole lotta shakin' in my heart (in my heart) since I met you, girl
I feel a lot of emotions and passion in my heart since I met you
Don't you know I, feel a whole lotta shakin' in my heart (in my heart) since I met you?
I need you to understand that you have stirred up deep feelings in me
The guys I used to run around with
My old friends and companions
Tell me I've changed, that I'm acting kinda strange
My friends have noticed that I'm different and acting out of character
But they don't realize that since I met you
They don't understand the impact you have had on my life
My whole life has been rearranged
You have transformed my entire world and perspective
Ooh, you make me feel kinda insecure
You have me feeling a bit unsure and vulnerable
'Cause my heart, I can no longer control
You have taken over my heart and I can't resist your pull
And you've got me knockin', jumpin' and stoppin'
You have me feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed
Don't know which way I'm supposed to go
I am lost and confused, unsure of what to do next
My heart is all tied up in knots (oh oh oh, I love you)
You have me feeling all tangled up inside with love and affection
I walk around daily in a state of shock (oh oh oh, I love you)
You have me completely stunned and unable to think straight
'Cause I (whole lotta feelin' of lovin' in my heart since I met you, girl)
I have a lot of love and positive emotions inside my heart since meeting you
Don't you know I got a feelin' (there's a whole lotta feelin' of love in my heart since I met you?)
Do you understand just how much love and passion you have brought into my life?
Whole lotta feelin' of love in my heart since I met you, girl
I am overflowing with love and affection for you
There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in my heart since I met you
You have caused a lot of excitement and intense emotion in my heart since I met you
Now my heart is all tied up in knots (oh oh oh, I love you)
My heart is overwhelmed with love and affection for you
I walk around daily in a state of shock (oh oh oh, I love you)
I am constantly surprised and amazed by the depth of my feelings for you
'Cause I (whole lotta feelin' of lovin' in my heart since I met you, girl)
My heart is overflowing with love and passion since meeting you
There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in my heart since I met you, you, you
You have stirred up a lot of intense emotions and excitement within me since I met you
(You know what?) a whole shakin' goin' on (shake me up, yeah) in my heart since I met you, girl
You have caused so much excitement and passion in my heart since meeting you
(Yeah, you makin' me shiver, ooh, you makin' me shiver) There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on
You have me feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed with love and passion for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK EDWARD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ericlangevin818
To me...Smokey is the Goat.
Wrote major hits not only for himself but
The Temptations
Marvin Gaye
Mary Wells
And many others.
Some of the greatest songs of all time that still sound great today.
Not to mention all the other things he made happen.
The King Of Motown.
@BetriceMWold
@@iambransonperk8083 Thank you I will give it to you personally if you like ?
Bake your favorite chicken legs or thighs wing which ever you like.
Saute 1/2 onion in olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
Salt pepper to your desire I use little salt
1 Can of cream of mushrooms soup I can of corn and 1 can of green peas spread evenly over chicken once soup has heated through and thicken to your desire top with cook biscuits and serve .
Trust me its yummy I made home made biscuits but you can use can.
Cook at 325 until chicken is done season to you desire..
There you have it some but delicious
.
@okentu578
This young generation wouldn't understand this kind of music it's to mature for their eardrums....this is pure grown folk music.
@makmaktheemultipotentialit6407
Im 19. And I can say these type of music feeds my soul. It has unexplainable effect on my mood and perspective in life. Ertime I hear songs like this I forget that we are going through bitter phases of life..
@glendacunningham3434
Ain’t that the damn truth
@PatriciaUJohn
Agreed (ha ha ha) When men knew what to say and how to say what they felt and wanted... and we couldn't resist
@sharonpope1737
Amen
@paulettewashington1088
2 MATURE Y'ALL😋😍KILLER FINISH, MR. WILSON N SMOKEY💣❣️
@DWIGHT697
DO A REMIX AND GET RONALD ISLEY ON BOARD THAT WOULD BE SUPER FIRE!!!!!!!
@debrajohnson4525
Fosho
@duragggura3695
Wow, great Minds think alike. I was thinking the SAME thing b4 I clicked onto this Video. How exciting it would be if the Three (Ronald Isley) could have bn included. Maybe theres a chance that this would happen in the future.
However, this arrangement was done in great taste. What else came to mind was each of these Legends earlier hits. Silent Partner in a Three Way Love Affair "-Smoky R. and You've Burned Rubber on Me- uncle Charlie (Gap Band). had bn an evolving exprience in Life and now they are living there BEST LIFE, bc both Smokey & Uncle Charlie's relationships with there wives have bn long term...Congrads!!!
@vh6307
BELIEVE IT!!!🙋🏾♀️👊🏾🤩