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.
more love
Smokey Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let it be soon, don't hesitate, make love (make love, make love), don't wait (don't wait)
Open your heart and let my love come in
I want the moment to start when I can fill your heart
With more love and more joy than age or time could ever destroy
And my love will be so sound
Gonna take about a hundred lifetimes to live it down
Wear it down, tear it down
This is no fiction, this no act
This is real, it's a fact
I'll always belong only to you
And each day I'll be living to
Make sure I'm giving you more love and more joy
Than age or time could ever destroy
Oh honey now, my love will be so sound
Gonna take about a hundred lifetimes to live it down
Wear it down, tear it down, ooh, ooh
Ooh, as we grow older, no need to fear
When you need me I'll be here
I'll be beside you every step of the way
A heart that's truthful, and is keeping it youthful
With more love, more joy than age or time could ever destroy
Oh honey now, my love will be so sound
Gonna take about a hundred lifetimes to live it down
Wear it down, tear it down
Gonna give you
More, ooh and more joy than any age or time could ever destroy
Oh baby now, my love will be so sound
The lyrics to this song by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles revolve around the theme of love and how it can conquer all, even age and time. The song opens with the singer urging his partner to not hesitate and make love. He then asks his partner to open their heart and let his love come in, wanting to fill their heart with more love and joy than any external force could ever destroy. The singer promises that his love will be steadfast and will take a hundred lifetimes to live down, offering his partner a heart that is truthful and youthful. The song ends with the singer promising to give his partner more and more joy than any age or time could ever destroy.
The lyrics convey a heartfelt message about the power of love and how it can transcend time and space. The singer urges his partner to seize the moment and not wait to make love, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of life. The lyrics also convey a sense of loyalty and commitment, indicating that the singer will always belong only to his partner and will be by their side every step of the way. The promise of a love that is so sound and steadfast that it will take a hundred lifetimes to live down is particularly poignant, conveying the depth and intensity of the singer's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The song begins with background singing and sets the emotional tone of More Love
Let it be soon, don't hesitate, make love (make love, make love), don't wait (don't wait)
Don't wait, make love and let our love start soon, we should embrace each other without hesitation and proceed with intimacy as soon as possible
Open your heart and let my love come in
Disclose your true self and allow me to love you and embrace your personality without any guardedness
I want the moment to start when I can fill your heart
I eagerly await the opportune moment to enliven your emotions and create a connection with you that will lead to a long-lasting relationship
With more love and more joy than age or time could ever destroy
My love will be so strong and meaningful that it will outlast the effects of aging and the passage of time
And my love will be so sound
My love for you will be genuine and unwavering
Gonna take about a hundred lifetimes to live it down
My love for you will be so intense that it will take us many lifetimes to fully experience and understand it
Wear it down, tear it down
Even if the trials of life wear us down or test our relationship, our uncommon love will survive it all
This is no fiction, this no act
The feelings and emotions expressed in this song are not imaginary or acted out, but are genuine and heartfelt
This is real, it's a fact
The singer's love for his partner presented in the song is real and not a fabrication
I'll always belong only to you
The singer is committed to the other person and belongs to them only
And each day I'll be living to
Every day the singer will strive to be the best version of himself to make the other person happy
Make sure I'm giving you more love and more joy
The singer pledges to shower his love with enthusiasm and infuse the relationship with lots of joy and laughter
Oh honey now, my love will be so sound
The singer's love is solid, unwavering and sincere
Gonna take about a hundred lifetimes to live it down
The depth of feeling the singer has in his heart will take many lifetimes to fully comprehend and measure
Wear it down, tear it down, ooh, ooh
Even if challenges persist and one's emotions may frequently fluctuate, our love will remain solid, and we will continue to nurture the relationship
Ooh, as we grow older, no need to fear
As we age, there is no need to fear as our love will grow stronger over time.
When you need me I'll be here
Whenever you need someone to lean on, I'll be here to give you support and comfort
I'll be beside you every step of the way
I will be there for you through thick and thin, and share your joys and sorrows
A heart that's truthful, and is keeping it youthful
We will nourish and preserve our youthful spirits, and our love will be fueled by genuine honesty
With more love, more joy than age or time could ever destroy
Our bond will be strong enough to withstand the challenges of time and the pains of aging
Oh honey now, my love will be so sound
My love for you will be pure and genuine, with never-ending loyalty and support
Gonna give you more, ooh, and more joy than any age or time could ever destroy
I am committed to providing you with unending happiness and joy, which nothing can diminish with time or age
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertthacher-ro6bh
As a 14 year old back in 67, this was my favorite song by Smokey. Sweet days of youth!
@denise8881m
Me too. I was sweet 16 in 67 and I absolutely loved it! ❤
@user-tk1ht6wn3j
I was 12. Even after all these years, when I hear this song, I flash back to sunset on a warm summer night in late August riding around Belle Isle in Detroit with my grandparents. It was the "Summer of Love" but there had been horrible riots. Although not everything was terrible in Motown back then.
@jazzmanchgo
Smokey wrote this song after his wife Claudette had suffered a couple of miscarriages, and she was feeling guilty for having "let him down." He wanted to reassure her that she hadn't let him down, there was nothing to feel guilty about, and his love for her was lasting and real. This one came from the heart.
@1773JC
Beautiful.
@keithharriston3176
And then he left her.
@yvonnechevannes9825
He did, did not know that. My me
@johnlemoine5571
I didn't know. I only got a phone in November and got a new car. I'm 68 and coming out of the Stone Age. Thanks so much for that information. I didn't know. That makes this song even more special to me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMOKEY!!!!
@darryljbethea644
I wish on yours none
@rlmurc
I loved this song before I met my wife. She died in 1991. We had been married less than three and a half years. We lost 2 baby's to miscarriage and this song is going to go with me to my grave.