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.
Satisfaction
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satisfaction
That means
Different strokes for different folks
Oh yeah
Now to the man who who's scaled the mountain high
Feel of climbing through the sky must satisfy, oh ho
Oh, but having a baby with me, baby
Is satisfaction enough for me
Oh, and holding him tightly by me, mightily
That's satisfaction enough for me
Oh, satisfaction (yeah, satisfaction)
Oh yeah (yeah, satisfaction)
Life is so
To each his own, ooh
Well now your satisfaction now
May be
Anything from A to Z
Your mind is free
Uh huh
Oh, but having a baby with me, baby
Is satisfaction enough for me
Oh, and holding him tightly by me, mightily
That's satisfaction enough for me, yeah
Oh and satisfaction
Can't be classified
Oh no
It all depends on
What you feel inside
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, how can I satisfy
All of my baby's dreams?
And keep her from seekin'
Some other means
Of excitement
And relaxation?
I want to be
What she needs
In every phase of life
And every situation
'Cause having my baby with me, baby
Ooh satisfies me so
Oh, and holding him tightly by me, mightily
Oh, that's satisfaction enough for me
Oh, having a baby with me, baby
Yeah, that's satisfaction enough for me
Oh, and holding him tightly by me, mightily
In "Satisfaction," Smokey Robinson and The Miracles explore the theme of satisfaction in various aspects of life. The opening lines suggest that satisfaction means different things for different people, and that everyone has their own idea of what brings them fulfillment. The lyrics then shift to a man who has "scaled the mountain high," implying that he has achieved great success and yet still seeks satisfaction. However, the singer suggests that simply having a baby with him and holding him tightly is enough to satisfy him. The song concludes with the singer expressing his desire to fulfill all of his partner's needs and be everything she needs in every situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Expressing excitement and anticipation.
Satisfaction
The feeling of being content and fulfilled.
That means
Implies or suggests.
Different strokes for different folks
People have their own preferences and opinions.
Oh yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
Now to the man who who's scaled the mountain high
Referring to one who has achieved great success or accomplished a difficult task.
Feel of climbing through the sky must satisfy, oh ho
The exhilarating feeling of accomplishment and reaching new heights.
Oh, but having a baby with me, baby
Expressing the singer's personal source of satisfaction.
Is satisfaction enough for me
The singer is content with his current life situation and does not need anything else.
Oh, and holding him tightly by me, mightily
The singer finds happiness in being near and holding his child.
That's satisfaction enough for me
The singer emphasizes that his child is his main source of satisfaction.
Oh, satisfaction (yeah, satisfaction)
Repeating the song's title for emphasis.
Oh yeah (yeah, satisfaction)
Repeating agreement with the idea of satisfaction being subjective to each individual.
Life is so
A acknowledgement that life can be complex and challenging.
To each his own, ooh
Each person has their own unique desires and preferences.
Well now your satisfaction now
The song switches perspectives from the singer's own satisfaction to that of the listener's.
May be
Suggesting a possibility or likelihood.
Anything from A to Z
Illustrating the broad range of possible sources of satisfaction.
Your mind is free
Encouraging individuals to explore and discover their own sources of happiness and contentment.
Uh huh
An expression signifying agreement.
Can't be classified
Satisfaction is unique and individual, so it cannot be put into categories or labels.
Oh no
An expression of disagreement or disappointment.
It all depends on
Suggesting the idea that the things that bring one satisfaction may vary depending on the individual.
What you feel inside
Personal feelings of joy and fulfillment cannot be measured or compared.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Repeating song's upbeat chorus.
Oh, how can I satisfy
The singer reflects on how he can keep his partner happy and content.
All of my baby's dreams?
The singer wants to be able to fulfill all his partner's desires and goals.
And keep her from seekin'
The singer wants to prevent his partner from seeking satisfaction elsewhere because he wants to be enough for her.
Some other means
The singer doesn't want his partner to look for other options for happiness.
Of excitement
Sources of enjoyment or exhilaration.
And relaxation?
The singer wants to be able to help his partner unwind and relax.
I want to be
The singer expressing his desire to fulfill his partner's needs.
What she needs
The singer wants to be everything his partner desires in a partner.
In every phase of life
The singer wants to be a constant source of happiness throughout his partner's life.
And every situation
The singer wants to be able to make his partner happy regardless of the circumstances.
Ooh satisfies me so
Expressing that his partner's happiness makes him happy as well.
Oh, having a baby with me, baby
Reemphasizing the singer's personal source of satisfaction (his child).
Yeah, that's satisfaction enough for me
The singer is emphasizing that his child is all he needs to feel content and fulfilled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Smokey Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind