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.
The Agony And The Ecstasy
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How did our two worlds entwine
How do I fit in to your life
How did you get into mine
I belong to someone else we know
Back when first we met
Oh, we thought for fun
Oh... Oh... But fun turned into love for both of us
So now we pay forbidden lover's price
Oh, cause love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy)
Oh, love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You got to pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy) oh, oh
Nights when you're alone, you know that I
Laid with someone else beside me
Oh, but you love me still and I love you
You know I would no matter where I'd be
Hey, but love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You got to pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy)
Oh, love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
We got to pay some agony if we wanna have ecstasy (For the ecstasy), oh...
Hey, got to pay some agony
If we wanna have an ecstasy, yeah
And we need each other desperately, don't we baby
And I'll never from you be free, no, no
So you'll have to do the leavin' me, yeah
And you'll have to do the leavin' me, oh, baby
Cause I'm gonna pay the agony, yeah
Cause, oh, lovin' you is ecstasy, that's what it is
And I'm willin' to pay the price, oh
Cause I'll make it a sacrifice, oh, yes, I will
And I'll never, never, never, never, never, never, never be free
From agony
The lyrics to Smokey Robinson's "The Agony and the Ecstasy" speak of the tumultuous nature of a forbidden love. The song reflects on the challenges and sacrifices that come with being in a relationship that society deems inappropriate or unacceptably complex. The lyrics ask questions about the very thing that binds two individuals together, despite the obstacles - their love. The song starts by posing the question "What's it all about, this crazy love? How did our two worlds entwine? How do I fit in to your life, how did you get into mine?" These statements represent the confusion that both individuals experience about the relationship's origins and the durability of their bond.
The track then moves towards a retrospective on how the relationship developed. Initially, Robinson describes how they envisioned the relationship as merely "one night together" merely for pleasure. However, things turned out quite differently, as "fun turned into love for both of us," leading to a penalty of being "forbidden lovers." For this issue, the singer states that "Oh cause love like ours is never, ever free you pay some agony for the ecstasy." Robinson describes the relationship's challenge, knowing that he belongs to someone else but still pursuing this love. This forbidden relationship comes with a price that they both know, and they are resolving to pay the agony despite the rewards of the highs and "ecstasy" of love.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, this crazy love
What is this love that makes us act crazy?
How did our two worlds entwine
How did we end up together despite our differences?
How do I fit in to your life
What is my role in your life?
How did you get into mine
How did you enter into my life?
I belong to someone else we know
I am committed to someone else we both know
Back when first we met
When we first met each other
Oh, we thought for fun
We thought our meeting was just for fun
One night together might be nice
Spending one night together seemed like a good idea
Oh... Oh... But fun turned into love for both of us
But we ended up falling in love with each other
So now we pay forbidden lover's price
We are paying the consequences of being involved in a forbidden relationship
Oh, cause love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
Our love comes with a price
You pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy)
We must endure pain to experience the joy of our love
Nights when you're alone, you know that I
When you are alone at night, you know that I am with someone else
Laid with someone else beside me
I slept with someone else while beside me you were not there
Oh, but you love me still and I love you
Even though we are with other people, we still love each other
You know I would no matter where I'd be
You know that I would love you no matter where I am
We got to pay some agony if we wanna have ecstasy (For the ecstasy), oh...
To experience joy in our relationship, we must also endure pain
Hey, got to pay some agony
We have to suffer to experience the ecstasy of our love
Cause, oh, lovin' you is ecstasy, that's what it is
Loving you brings me great joy
And I'm willin' to pay the price, oh
I am willing to pay the price for our love
Cause I'll make it a sacrifice, oh, yes, I will
I am willing to make sacrifices for our love
And I'll never, never, never, never, never, never, never be free
I will never be free from the consequences of our forbidden love
From agony
I will always experience pain because of our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@okevisa
NO ONE COULD MAKE CHEATING SOUND SO SWEET. NO ONE BUT SMOKEY.
@hazelhebert9892
Omg my husband and I used to play this album and the Isley Brothers we were married for 45 years and had 6 children he passed away 2 years ago and this song is bringing back the sweetest memories of my life.
@rebeccawilkes4647
Agreed
@veronica213LA
🙏🏻
@empress5050
❤
@phillipbrown7655
I had the distinct honor of driving Smokey from San Francisco to Napa last year. To think of how much history he’s contributed to the music industry is completely unfathomable , and to have him in the back of MY CAR??!!!! Absolutely CRAZY!!!! And he’s a genuine, nice guy all around. He tipped and let me take a pic with him!! Unforgettable. PB
@mardigras33
🤩 wow that’s awesome
@MsHiflying
Class Baby, class
@LUVCHUNKS71
Omg I would have probably passed out lol...
@traytyler2138
Thanks for sharing your beautiful story.