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.
Sleepless Nights
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay down beside me now, yeah
No time for maybe
Show me like only you know how
You are so sweetly, completely in touch with my fantasy
With everything that you do
When you′re with me, ooh babe
Feels so right, feels so right
The way it should be
Sleepless nights
(Ooh-ooh) come here, baby
We don't need the light anymore (we don′t need the light no more)
No time, no time for maybe
Show me what the night is really for (show me what the night is for)
When I'm holding you, life is unfolding inside of me, ooh (inside me)
Whenever I reach for you
Sleepless nights, sleepless, sleepless nights
(Together again) together, together
(Feel so right) feels so right, feels so right
(Don't let it end) don′t you ever let it end
(Sleepless nights) sleepless nights, when I′m with you
Never so right (never so right)
But ever so true
Hold me, hold me
Ooh-wee
Ooh-wee
Oh, baby
Sleepless nights, sleepless, sleepless nights
(When you're with me) when you′re with me
(Feel so right) feels so right, feels so right
(The way is should be) just the way it always will, ooh
(Sleepless night) sleepless nights, sleepless nights
(Together again) together forever and ever
(Feels so right) to make things just right as they can be
It just takes the night and you and me (don't let it end)
Being together
(Sleepless nights) sleepless nights, sleepless nights
(When you′re with me) when you're with me
In "Sleepless Nights" by Smokey Robinson, the lyrics convey a passionate and intimate connection between two people. The song creates a sensual atmosphere, as the singer invites his lover to come close and lay down beside him. The urgency is highlighted by the assertion that there is no time for uncertainty; the singer desires a demonstration of their affection in a way that only his partner knows how.
The lyrics also emphasize the depth of the emotional and physical connection between the singer and his lover. He describes his partner as sweet and completely in touch with his fantasies. Their actions and presence in his life are portrayed as bringing him a sense of fulfillment and completion. It suggests that their intimacy goes beyond physical pleasure, and their connection extends into the realm of imagination and dreams.
The chorus of the song, "Sleepless nights when you're with me, ooh babe, feels so right, feels so right, the way it should be," expresses the intense pleasure and contentment that the singer experiences when he is with his lover. The sleepless nights symbolize the overwhelming passion and desire that keeps them awake, unable to resist each other's presence. It implies that their connection is so intense that it transcends the need for sleep.
Overall, "Sleepless Nights" by Smokey Robinson depicts a passionate and all-consuming love affair. The lyrics suggest that the singer finds solace and fulfillment in the arms of his partner, feeling a sense of completeness and joy when they are together. The song evokes a sense of intimacy and desire, emphasizing the profound emotional and physical connection between two individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here, baby
I want you to come closer to me, my love
Lay down beside me now, yeah
Please lie down next to me at this moment
No time for maybe
There is no room for uncertainty or hesitation
Show me like only you know how
Demonstrate your love and affection in the way that only you can
You are so sweetly, completely in touch with my fantasy
You understand and connect with my deepest desires and dreams in a wonderfully tender way
With everything that you do
In all your actions and gestures
Sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing
When you're with me, ooh babe
During the times we are together, my love
Feels so right, feels so right
It feels incredibly perfect and true
The way it should be
Exactly as it is meant to be
Sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing
(Ooh-ooh) come here, baby
Oh, please come closer to me, my love
We don't need the light anymore (we don′t need the light no more)
We no longer require the presence of light to see and feel
No time, no time for maybe
There is no room for uncertainty or hesitation
Show me what the night is really for (show me what the night is for)
Reveal and demonstrate the true purpose and meaning of the night
When I'm holding you, life is unfolding inside of me, ooh (inside me)
When I embrace you, it feels like a new chapter of life is being written within me
Whenever I reach for you
Every time I extend my arms towards you, my love
Sleepless nights, sleepless, sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing, sleepless nights
(Together again) together, together
Once more being united and joined together
(Feel so right) feels so right, feels so right
It feels incredibly perfect and true
(Don't let it end) don′t you ever let it end
Please never allow this to come to an end
(Sleepless nights) sleepless nights, when I′m with you
Nights filled with restlessness and longing when I am in your presence
Never so right (never so right)
Never before has something felt so perfectly fitting
But ever so true
Yet, it remains utterly genuine and honest
Hold me, hold me
Embrace me tightly, my love
Ooh-wee
Expression of delight or satisfaction
Ooh-wee
Expression of delight or satisfaction
Oh, baby
Endearing term of affection
Sleepless nights, sleepless, sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing, sleepless nights
(When you're with me) when you're with me
During the times we are together, my love
(Feel so right) feels so right, feels so right
It feels incredibly perfect and true
(The way is should be) just the way it always will, ooh
Exactly as it is meant to be, the way it will always remain
(Sleepless night) sleepless nights, sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing, sleepless nights
(Together again) together forever and ever
Once more being united and joined together, for eternity
(Feels so right) to make things just right as they can be
Creating a state where everything is perfectly aligned and harmonious
It just takes the night and you and me (don't let it end)
All it requires is the night and our presence together, please never allow it to come to an end
Being together
Existing in each other's company and presence
(Sleepless nights) sleepless nights, sleepless nights
Nights filled with restlessness and longing, sleepless nights
(When you're with me) when you're with me
During the times we are together, my love
Writer(s): Alan Gorrie, Michael Mugrage
Contributed by Amelia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.