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.
So In Love
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
We make music without playin' a note
In a private place, together we'll be
Listenin' to a tune somebody wrote
That fits our situation to a T
Yeah, a voice on the stereo singin' softly
Describin' what I feel about you
The singer just seems to know all about it
Seems like the writer must
Have sat down and wrote this song about us
So in love, so in love
So in love, so in love
So in love, in love
So in love, in love, in love
Yeah, my kingdom exists wherever you go
I sit down beside you and I'm on my throne
You're my queen and I just want you to know
Your love has been another zone
So into you and I'm with every bit of me
And it's where I want to stay for good
Got a lifetime supply of me to give to you
Let no one tell you this is not it
'Cause when it comes to true love, you know we got it
So in love, so in love
So in love, so in love
So in love, in love
So in love, in love, in love
In the room, we're just two silhouettes
The only light is from the fireplace
Ooh, we're close as any two people can get
And a look of love is shimmering on your face
Passionate kiss of fire that you get with me
Arouses me to want to make love
Stimulates my entire sensitivity
Oh, it's so good when we touch
All the time will never be too much
Never, ever be too much
So in love, so in love
So in love, so in love
So in love, in love
So in love, in love, in love
(So in love, in love, in love)
And you and me will always
(So in love, in love, in love)
So in love, baby
Do say you'll always stay
(So in love, in love, in love)
So in love, baby, yeah
So in love, baby, yeah
(So in love, in love, in love)
So in love, baby, yeah
The lyrics to "So In Love" by Smokey Robinson convey a deep sense of intimacy and connection between two lovers. The opening lines suggest that the couple is able to create a deep emotional connection without even needing to speak, as they "make music without playing a note". The references to a "private place" and listening to a particular song that describes their relationship "to a T" further emphasize the closeness of their bond.
The song continues with a sense of adoration and devotion, with the singer describing the other person as their "queen" and stating that they want to remain with them forever. The references to kissing and physical touch also suggest a strong sexual attraction between the two individuals.
Overall, the lyrics to "So In Love" depict a relationship that is rooted in deep emotional and physical connection. The singer seems to be completely devoted to their partner, with an unbreakable bond that they believe will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby
The singer is expressing his affection for his lover
We make music without playin' a note
The feelings expressed while listening to music together with his lover is so strong that it feels like they are making the music together without actually playing
In a private place, together we'll be
The singer is expressing his desire to be alone in a private space with his lover
Listenin' to a tune somebody wrote
They are listening to a song that someone else composed
That fits our situation to a T
The lyrics of the song they are listening to perfectly describe their current situation
Yeah, a voice on the stereo singin' softly
The singer is describing the song playing on the stereo while witnessing how beautiful it feels to be with his lover
Describin' what I feel about you
The song he is describing is perfectly describing the feelings he has for his lover
The singer just seems to know all about it
The lyrics of the song feel like the singer knows everything about their relationship
Seems like the writer must
He also feels like the writer of the song knows exactly how he feels
Have sat down and wrote this song about us
The writer could have written the song keeping their relationship in mind
So in love, so in love
The singer and his lover are deeply in love, and they are expressing this love through the song they are listening to
Yeah, my kingdom exists wherever you go
The singer's lover is his queen, and wherever she goes, he feels like he has a kingdom
I sit down beside you and I'm on my throne
The singer feels like he is on top of the world when he is beside his lover
You're my queen and I just want you to know
The singer is telling his lover that she is his queen, and he wants her to know how important she is to him
Your love has been another zone
The love he has received from his lover is something that he has never experienced before
So into you and I'm with every bit of me
The singer is expressing how deeply he is in love and how he has given his everything to his lover
And it's where I want to stay for good
He wants this feeling of being in love with his lover to last forever
Got a lifetime supply of me to give to you
He promises to give his lover all the love he has for a lifetime
Let no one tell you this is not it
The singer is telling his lover to not listen to anyone who says that their love is not real
'Cause when it comes to true love, you know we got it
He is confident that they have true love
In the room, we're just two silhouettes
The singer and his lover are in a dimly lit room, and their forms are visible only as silhouettes
The only light is from the fireplace
The only source of light in the room is the fireplace
Ooh, we're close as any two people can get
The singer is describing how close he is to his lover
And a look of love is shimmering on your face
The singer can see the love in his lover's eyes
Passionate kiss of fire that you get with me
The singer is describing the passionate kiss he has with his lover that feels like fire
Arouses me to want to make love
The kiss has aroused him, and he wants to make love to his lover
Stimulates my entire sensitivity
The kiss has stimulated all his senses and made him more sensitive to his lover's touch
Oh, it's so good when we touch
Being together and touching each other feels amazing
All the time will never be too much
The singer wants to be with his lover all the time, and it will never be enough
And you and me will always
The singer and his lover will always be together
So in love, baby
They are deeply in love with each other
Do say you'll always stay
The singer is asking his lover to stay with him forever
Contributed by David N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.