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 Way You Do
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you do the things you do
The way you do the things you do (do it, do it, do it)
The way you do the things you do
The way you do
Ah, yes
You know you could have been a candle
I'm holding you so tight
You know you could have been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could have been a broom
The way you smell so sweet
You know you could have been some perfume
Well, you could have been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell, the way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) the way you do the things you do
The way you do the things you do
As pretty as you are
You know that you could be a flower
If good looks was a minute, uh
You know that you could be an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could have been a cool crook
And baby you're so smart
You know that you could be a schoolbook
Well, you could have been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell, the way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) the way you do the things you do
The way you do the things you do
Well
All right
You made my life so rich
You know you could have been some money
And baby you're so sweet
You know you could have been some honey
Well, you could have been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell, the way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) the way you do the things you do
The way you do the things you do
You made me feel all right (made me feel all right)
You made me feel all right
(The way you do the things you do) made my life complete
(The way you do the things you do)
(The way you do the things you do) the things you do
(The way you do the things you do)
I can't get over you, I can't get over you (The way you do the things you do)
(The way you do the things you do)
(The way you do the things you do) do it, do it, do it
(The way you do the things you do) the way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) ooh
Do it
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" is a classic soul song by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles that celebrates a woman's beauty and charm. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of how the woman embodies qualities that make her uniquely compelling. Robinson uses metaphors to describe every aspect of the woman and emphasizes that she could have been anything she wanted, but she chose to be herself, and that is what attracts him to her. The catchy melody and Robinson's smooth vocals make for a playful yet heartfelt song that is impossible not to sing along to.
Throughout the song, Robinson compares the woman to various objects, including a candle, a handle, a broom, and some perfume, to highlight her alluring qualities. He also notes that her beauty is matched by her intelligence, calling her a "cool crook" and a "schoolbook." He highlights her ability to steal his heart and make his life richer, demonstrating that she is more than just a pretty face. The repetition of "the way you do" creates a memorable chorus that underscores the central message of the song: the woman's unique qualities make her irresistible to Robinson.
Overall, "The Way You Do the Things You Do" is a lighthearted yet heartfelt celebration of a woman's beauty and charm. Robinson's clever use of metaphors and catchy melody make this a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
The way you do the things you do
The unique and special way that you do things sets you apart and makes you absolutely amazing
You've got a smile so bright
Your smile is radiant and captivating, making it hard for anyone to look away
You know you could have been a candle
Your brightness and light has the power to uplift and inspire everyone in your presence
I'm holding you so tight
I feel a deep sense of comfort and safety when I am in your embrace
You know you could have been a handle
Your strength and reliability make you the perfect person to hold onto when things get tough
The way you swept me off my feet
You have the ability to make me feel incredibly special and loved with just a small gesture
You know you could have been a broom
You have the power to clean up any mess in my life and bring order to chaos
The way you smell so sweet
Your alluring scent is so intoxicating that it makes me want to be near you all the time
You know you could have been some perfume
You have the power to make everything around you smell and feel amazing
As pretty as you are
Your beauty takes my breath away every time I see you
You know that you could be a flower
You have the same delicate and captivating beauty as a flower, and you bring joy to everyone around you
If good looks was a minute, uh
If beauty was measured in time, you would be timeless and effortless in your elegance
You know that you could be an hour
Your beauty, elegance, and charm are enough to make time stop and everyone's attention turn towards you
The way you stole my heart
You have the power to completely capture and win over my heart with your charm and warmth
You know you could have been a cool crook
You have the ability to steal attention and steal hearts in a way that is both effortless and cool
And baby you're so smart
Your intelligence is just as captivating and alluring as your physical beauty
You know that you could be a schoolbook
You have a wealth of knowledge and insight that anyone would benefit from learning and reading
You made my life so rich
You have brought so much joy, happiness, and abundance into my life
You know you could have been some money
Your worth and value is immeasurable and priceless, just like money cannot buy happiness
And baby you're so sweet
Your kindness, warmth, and affection have an indescribable sweetness that is contagious and heartwarming
You know you could have been some honey
Your sweetness can make anyone feel loved, cherished, and appreciated
You made me feel all right (made me feel all right)
Your presence and love have the power to make everything in my life feel okay and in its right place
Made my life complete
You have filled my life with joy, love, and happiness, and have made it whole and complete
I can't get over you, I can't get over you (The way you do the things you do)
Your unique and special way of doing things has made such a profound impact on my life that I can never forget or move past you
Do it, do it, do it
Keep being the amazing and special person that you are, never stop doing things with your own unique style and flair
Ooh
An expression of awe and wonder at the incredible person you are
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Robert Rogers, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lblu1181
Sooo good, can't stop playing this song! Love it! Smokey & CeeLo Shine!
Rewind 2play
Love it... well done😊😊😊
Cameron Crazie DieHardDuke Fan
i love me some oldies and i wasnt expecting this to sound so good because these newbies dont know any better BUT this WAS AMAZING!! i know ceelo not new to the game but the genre, the styles of smokey vs him i wasnt expecting to match.. I LOVE IT! :)
Robin Lee
love me some Ceelo Green and my all time favorite Mr. Smokey Robinson, thank you both for the music you share with
the world
TrueBlueSue49
Smokey & Ceelo Rock!!!!
Sweet TJ
I love it...😚😘😙
Boy George
Forever song!!!
Boy George
the best song Cee lo green !!!
Isabel Corral
Best Song Ever <3 <3 LOVE YOU SMOKEY
Joshua Keddy
🔥