Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was the performing and recording name from… Read Full Bio ↴Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was the performing and recording name from 1965 to 1972 of renowned American R&B/soul group The Miracles. From Detroit, Michigan, the band Miracles remain notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. Over their career across the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Miracles were one of Motown's signature acts with over forty top 40 R&B hits. Over the same time period, their original lead singer and founding member Smokey Robinson became one of the most successful songwriters and record producers of all time.

The hit songs "Do It Baby" and Love Machine (written by Billy Griffin & Pete Moore) were performed by Billy Griffin as the lead singer after the departure of original founder member Smokey Robinson.
http://myspace.com/billygriffinthemiracles

Depend of Me
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You
You need a love like mine that you can depend on
When your whole world's falling in
And you need a friend
You can depend on me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh I'll be by your side
When you need me (you can depend on me)
When the whole world seems unfair

And no one seems to care
You can depend on me
Oh when life seems not worth living
And nothing seems to be going right
The comfort my love will be giving
Will change your darkness to light
I'll, I'll, I'll be right by your side
When you need, need me (you can depepend on me)
When the whole world seems unfair
And no one seems to care
You can depend on me (you can depend on me)
Oh, don't you know that I'll, ooh, that I'll be right by your side
Oh, little girl, little girl, little girl
Ooh, when you need a friend

I'm yours 'til the end
Oh, yeah, I love you, I love you (you can depend on me)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' song Depend On Me express a deep sentiment of unconditional love and loyalty. The singer is addressing their lover and assuring them that they need not worry about anything because they have someone to depend on. The lyrics describe how sometimes life can feel overwhelming and unfair, but even then, the singer will be there for their lover. The singer promises to be by their side and provide comfort and love, even when things get rough. The line "When your whole world's falling in/And you need a friend" perfectly encapsulates the message of the song - that no matter what happens, the singer will always be there to offer support and be a friend to their lover.

The lyrics to Depend On Me are incredibly powerful and emotive. They express a sentiment that is all too rare in today's world - that of unwavering loyalty and support. The song is a beautiful reminder of the importance of having someone to depend on and the comfort that such a relationship can bring. The lyrics also touch on the theme of the darkness and light - how even in the darkest of times, love can provide a ray of hope and change everything. Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of love and loyalty that has touched the hearts of millions of people.

Line by Line Meaning

You
The listener, this song is specifically for you

You need a love like mine that you can depend on
You require an affection and commitment similar to mine that you can rely on

When your whole world's falling in
During the time of a significant crisis or upheaval in your life

And you need a friend
You require someone to confide in and support you

You can depend on me
I will always be there for you when you require me

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh I'll be by your side
I will stay close to you during your difficult time

When you need me (you can depend on me)
I am available to aid you whenever you require my help

When the whole world seems unfair
In times when everything appears to work against you

And no one seems to care
When it feels like no one is interested in your well-being

You can depend on me
You can rely on me for support and kindness

Oh when life seems not worth living
In moments where it appears like there is no justification or meaning to life

And nothing seems to be going right
In situations where everything appears to be working against you

The comfort my love will be giving
My love will provide you with the solace and reassurance you need

Will change your darkness to light
My love will positively change your current negative perspective to a positive one

I'll, I'll, I'll be right by your side
I will continually support and stay close to you

When you need, need me (you can depend on me)
Whenever you require me, I am always available and helpful

Oh, don't you know that I'll, ooh, that I'll be right by your side
Do not forget that I am always here and prepared to assist you

Oh, little girl, little girl, little girl
Affectionate reference to the listener

Ooh, when you need a friend
When you require someone to confide in or support you

I'm yours 'til the end
I will remain loyal and supportive of you until the end

Oh, yeah, I love you, I love you (you can depend on me)
I have a lot of affection for you and will always be here to support you

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@brownkl3

7y↑36

I've always thought that this song was the best showcase for Smokey's amazing voice. Very possibly the best falsetto in all of soul music.

@benabney4766

46w

It was not falsetto!

@hegra32

42w

@@benabney4766according to Google his falsetto voice was one of the things that made him so famous.

@stephenmarcus2825

5y↑19

Early song that begins to show the depth of feeling In Smokey’s voice. Simply beautiful.

@denisemcdonald4233

6y↑10

Wowww..I think I will play this at my wedding reception..absolutely mind blowing..

@billklein8745

3y↑13

One of the best songs ever made thank you Smokey

@sherryratliff7068

8y↑27

Smoke y Robinson and the Miracles are the great masters of romantic lingo!

@WSenator1

3y↑1

The greatest ballad singer of the rock era.

@MRLJG408

13y↑9

One of the best songs ever.

@passivedepressive8291

6y↑44

i would like to thank my grandma and grandpa for showing me these wonderful oldies

@jimgag2

6y↑3

nnn nvxn Your grandma and grandpa grew up with this great music like I did. I’m a bit sorry for most people of your generation who have never experienced it.

@TheBrotherBuzz

11y↑2

bjclark1017 - I agree with all you say...Happy Birthday Smokey - Feb.19. He will be 73. Congratulations, Smokey. That's 3 days less than 10 years older than me, and he will always be monumental to my very difficult growing-up years, long ago. Smokey's songs healed my wounds and infused me with the courage to go on. I sang with and like him thru my pains, and I defeated those pains into ashes. Smokey, your music has given us much; God's gift's superbly well-used. "Go on and blow on." We love you.

@tnlrapid4138

10y↑19

Smokey this song reminds me of you and your first wife Claudette. She too is very talented. You two made a lovely couple with your song writing abilities and singing talent. Continued success.

@wkbbrat

12y↑9

Awesome at any age. The writing is amazing (this is how a love song is written). The words & sentiments still resonate 40 years (or moe) later. They do sound a little 'green', they've gotten more polished over the years, but that smooth tenor voice never fails.

@bjclark1017

13y↑14

Can you believe that Smokey was 17 years old! Listen to this masterpiece again with that knowledge! He is just a couple of years older than I am, and I still marvel at what a talent he was--and continues to be. Smokey is, in this genre, the most talented individual artist of our time. If you've never heard it, listen to 'I'll Try Something New. Awesome, is all I can say.

@ASSman864

6y↑2

bjclark1017 he had a whole world of original music in his soul that he thankfully got out to the world. Like jimi hendrix. Another brilliant mind when it comes to originality

@rogerbowen4978

1y↑1

His words

@billchew450

6y↑36

How can this song NOT put someone in the mood?

@bjclark1017

7y↑20

Forget the hits, like More Love, I Second that Emotion, etc.--if you want to hear the real Smokey & The Miracles, THIS IS IT!!!

@joannelong7063

5y↑1

You are absolutely right!

@j.conroy2011

8y↑12

It's the music, turn down the lights and hold onto your love and drift away into paradise. there is only one Smokey & all those fabulous Miracles. My favorite from those formative years. I knew they were special when I first heard I Cry on the End label in 1958.

@helenarudd4284

6y↑3

Jim Conroy amen amen. I consider myself to have been born doing that time. As teenagers we use go to school dances and house parties. And when Smokey and the Miracles you knew you would be dancing with the one you loved.

@helenarudd4284

6y↑3

Oh how very true. I remember meeting the one and only man that I would ever love on songs like this. We use to have the red light bulb and moving as slow as you could move.😊But it made you go home and dream about all that had happen. I was blessed to be have been a teenager doing those years. I'm 73 now and still can dream about those wonderful days.😊

@marybryant1849

5y↑1

Bring back slow dancing.

@tinamccants1604

A favorite Smokey Robinson song. Heard it played while watching Any Day Now today on SmartTV.

@TyBabesss

7y↑32

This song makes me feel like I should be in love.... Father GOD where is my husband???

@denisemcdonald4233

6y↑2

Tyisha Tolbert pray about it..it will happen..in the mean time enjoy these beautiful songs

@jaywilliams7895

5y↑2

"and nothing seems to be going right" smh I feel you

@danielnarvaer4013

8y↑11

Memories.Dylan was right-Smoky is a great poet.

@bretthortonmusic

5y↑10

Smoky Robinson, the greatest singer of all time: there's a few others, too, influenced by him

@jojamful

8y↑33

Cooley High brought me here! Beautiful!

@TyBabesss

me too

@keked9231

6y↑1

Party scene

@Gr8LilLady

2y↑2

My Lord! They SANG that! #HOLYGHOST!!! 🤣😳❤

@allstatelegs1

9y↑63

This is the top of my list. Sing the damn song Smokey. Listen to the background ya'll and hear Claudette carrying the background along with w/ Ronnie, Pete, Bobby.

@williamg2552

9y↑2

Sandra Callis ....And Miracle Marv Tarplin on guitar .

@jaywilliams7895

Yes you can hear her! Holding her own

@phyllissimpson720

2y↑3

Simply beautiful Smokey

@cuztabo

11y↑3

DAmmmmm. this song just takes me away to a different time and place...love the memories...thanks for posting.....

@williamg2552

7y↑7

THE MIRACLES set the STANDARD and the PATTERN for all of the first-tenor-led groups that followed them, both IN and OUT of Motown. The Temptations, Delfonics, Stylistics, Chi-Lites, Blue Magic, and numerous others...all need to pay tribute to the six young kids from Detroit who changed the world of music forever: SMOKEY ROBINSON, CLAUDETTE ROGERS-ROBINSON, BOBBY ROGERS, PETE MOORE, RONNIE WHITE,and MARV TARPLIN.
In the music of ALL of these groups, and numerous others, you can still hear the influence of The Miraculous MIRACLES !!!
The MIRACLES were also the SPARK that caused the worldwide explosion known as MOTOWN !! And just IMAGINE just what the World of Music (and in general) would have been like today if Motown had NEVER EXISTED.

@miguelsantarosa5123

8y↑22

This is a smooth song" dammit I'll always love this jam"🎼🎼

@themoorishriteonline

10y↑25

Perfect Old-School classic; lead vocals on top of background vocals and maintaining the overall soft-tone balance.

@jamalbaker3395

Yup

@rogerbowen5600

5y↑1

DAM U HEAVY 😄

@rogerbowen5600

MELVIN BOWEN BRONX RIVER 1965

@sandygomez8381

7y↑3

The red or blue lightbulb is in place dancing this close and we all turn into coffee grinders. Recollections of a well spent youth....👍👍😎

@PaulettaNelson

3y↑3

Love this song so much. I believe him.

@hawkmalik

7y↑10

THE' CLASSIC TALL TAN TALENTED TERRIFIC TEMPTIN TEMPTATIONS' GIVE A HELL OF A OFFERING OF THIS MIRACLES CLASSIC.....LOVED IT BACK IN THE 60'S AS A TEEN.STILL LOVE BOTH GROUPS TODAY...CHECK OUT EDDIE'S LEAD ON THIS AND THE GLOVE-TIGHT BACKGROUND HARMONIES BY THE 'CLASSIC TEMPTS' ON THIS JAM....AMAZING..

@Iknowknow112

38w↑1

Holland Dozier and Holland, Whitfield and Strong, Smokey, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder incredible composers!! Motown truly had an embarrassment of riches 😂. The best part of my life was growing up in the 60’s for the music alone.

@user-zd1zy2dq2n

..and I also second these emotion ~ _ ~

@lakewoodil

14y↑2

My personal favorite by Smokey & The Miracles, thanks for a great post.

@cassandramuhammad9657

8y↑2

Smokey deserve all the credit. Got to give the credit where it's due . Nothing agàinst the miracles, I love them. Clàudette had his back, killing the background vocàls. But the depth of Smokey's skills ....... a genius.

@williamg2552

7y↑1

The other members of the Miracles, Bobby ROGERS, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and Marv Tarplin , all co-wrote those songs. It wasn't just Smokey who did the writing in that group. It was ALL of them. So they all deserve credit, not just Smokey

@bjclark1017

7y↑14

It is funny that when people look back on Motown, Smokey is shuttled in to the writer/producer mode--don't forget, he could bring it as a singing artist as well. Bad Girl, You Can Depend on Me, More Love, I'll Try Something New, A Fork In The Road, etc.

@landulcosme8304

6y↑2

bjclark1017 would I love you, I've been good to you

@richardparker1017

4y↑1

so true

@fernjohnson1399

BJ I’m with you on all of these. Some of the BESY slow drag love songs ever.

@bernicemahar4147

5y↑3

I spent my late teens listening to the Miracles making one hit after another! The music was so easy to dance to, even if you didn’t know how to dance. The music endures!!!

@maximillianosaben

7y↑19

Just beautiful.

@Gr8LilLady

2y↑3

So many of the key figures in my family are gone now. This is how we all loved each other. It's not so good now and it hurts! I still let them know though,
"You can depend on me " 😪💔

@kidsanders3913

7y↑52

This is one of Motowns songs in Movie " Cooley High " when Cochise was dancing and kissing on Damons girl at The Party ! 1975

@Riddickinfiniti15

6y↑1

Kid Sanders imagining Damon getting mad when they kisssed

@somenew9

6y↑3

"I'm your biggest fan!" I wanted that chocolate beauty myself! My favorite scene!

@skylerwilliams6928

6y↑2

That’s not the same song. It’s has the same structure but that song was ooh baby baby

@kidsanders3913

5y↑4

@@skylerwilliams6928 Oh , come to think of it there were 2 Smokey songs played @ The Party this is the fight song ! You can Depend on that !

@playad6332

5y↑1

I was rollin.🌞tribe

5 More Replies...

@joannavasquez2304

4y↑4

I'll be right by your side when You need me
I'm Your friend before anything💯

@alisonbeeler8270

3y↑3

Classic Smokey and the miracles

@inezpage-graham5540

5y↑4

Brings back memories of those house parties back in the day❤

@paulburek7530

3y↑3

Pure as the driven snow...my, my, my

@cherryheard9396

3y↑7

I truly love this song

@ellenreed8861

8y↑9

Awesome, love this song , sing on Smokey & your fabulous Miracles

@brownpridesoldierXIII

1y↑1

When life seems not worth living
and nothing seems to be going right the comfort my love will be giving
will change your darkness to light
I’ll be right by your side when you need me when the world seems unfair and no one seems to care you can depend on me💕

@deborahpatterson7692

9y↑15

Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this song

@Darvada

4y↑1

This was the flip side of Can you love a poor boy .. both hits in Philly but this song rarely played on the radio is really tops to me and my following.. Glad you posted this classic

@andreamace3676

4y↑3

My favorite Smokey Robinson song ... Dancing at Wagner's Ballroom in Philly.❣️

@waynegooden7459

5y↑3

timmy and richard my cousins when i was real little in the south bronx and dem red light parties my moms had to keep them out the streets....................cooley high for real ya'll

@rogerbowen5600

4y↑1

WHAT STREET ME ALSO !!!

@88ritchie

14y↑2

mane i remember falling in love with song on Cooley High when i first seen it in 1998, mane and it still is perfect as if it was recorded yesterday.Damn where has the good times gone?

@jimgag2

6y↑2

Wonderful. Thanks for posting.

@williamg2552

12y↑1

2012...The year the waiting STOPPED .After 26 years , THE MIRACLES are FINALLY inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame !!!

@cynthia6637

10y↑18

Beautiful.......

@cynthia6637

10y↑2

Thanks for stopping over.......

@kingleo578

Im 27 year's old with 3 heart breaks but I know she's out there 🎧🤗

@williamg2552

12y↑2

GREAT GUITAR WORK by Departed original Miracle MARV TARPLIN , who passed away on 9/30/11-voted one of the 100 GREATEST GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME ....MARV...YOU WILL BE MISSED !!!

@juneahernauthor

5y↑1

saw Smokey and the miracles first time at Basin Street West on Broadway SF - it was love at first sight. I was 16 (phony ID) and my 21 yr old boyfriend took me. Followed Smokey ever since. This is one of the songs I featured in my novel.It fit the theme of a couple of characters.

@alwaysme3015

3y↑2

This music takes me back to a time when it was so much different. its like night and day today . All my siblings and friends where here . I think of them and the fun we use to have . Back in those days kids actually went outside and played . No gun shots to run from , 1penny for a piece of candy you could get chips soda bag of candy and still have change out of a dollar . and practically everything was still natural . hair styles cloth you wore real leather and suede. There was no McDonalds Burger king . You had mom and pop hamburger joins . on east coast white castle was probably only real Hamburger joint. House parties 1 turn tables and we listen to records albums . Times were so much simpler then . Yeah time were so much simpler cherish ever moment you have because we don't know when it will be out last . RIP all those who have past due to the coronavirus ............... You will be forever missed

@cynthia6637

12y↑4

smokey at his best

@TheGarageChronicles

10y↑5

Sooooo Gooood! Pure and chalk full of soul.

@cynthia6637

12y↑2

THAT'S RIGHT! YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME!! I'LL BE RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE!

@SPhillyG

13y↑2

Blue lights in the basement!!!!!!! I danced to this song many nights!

@josielopez5344

6y↑2

The Master!! Luv this...

@stud2me4u

10y↑13

> MASTERPIECE <

@loveme-tg8yk

10y↑13

LOVE THIS SONG.

@playad6332

5y↑5

Every time I hear this song it makes me think about Cooley High, when the dude walks in the party and sees his girl dancing on old boy. lmao😂

@chanj1950

Lest we forget that incredible falsetto. And Claudette with incredible backgrounds.

@tempiaotey6699

9y↑7

Smokey kinda Friday...

@stud2me4u

12y↑3

> PRICELESS <

@Pilcha.

3y↑3

This song inspired John to write “All I’ve Got to do”, specially the first chord!

@Ezralibrascale

I’m 26 & a old soul but this in my opinion is what music is all about using music as a emotional tool with a voice you can feel and passion

@jacquelinehardwick791

2y↑1

My favorite Mm!! Love it so much!!

@SUCHY1983ify

3y↑2

A nice Smokie doo wop

@kurtadams3021

5y↑2

Pure GENIUS

@Thegalacticgeneral

Cooley high. Cochise FOREVER!!!!!

@rightknowledgeman

3y↑3

我喜欢。我非常喜欢😀😀

@janicemurphy7878

8y↑6

Just great music and love song Plus this music is like a crossover from doo-wop and it turns into a new kind of slow songs for young lovers in Pittsburgh we had several disc jockeys being Bob back that's Mac and porky Chadwick

@loisweiss6678

8y↑5

one of their best

@gecko36a

6y↑5

EXQUISITE ♡♡♡♡♡

@kathiginsberg8717

You are a legend ❤

@janicemurphy7878

5y↑2

Bill at his best! Awm

@DJDJANGO1

13y↑1

When Smokey and The Miracles were a Doo Wop group....before Soul even happened as a genre! And yes of course its still soulful!

@keshiawoodall695

6y↑4

You can depend on meeee...

@patriciakehaya6711

5y↑2

Love this gem

@minaashton4454

Awesome ❤❤❤❤

@GarwinWayne

6y↑2

Smokey went to his influence on this one...Nolan Strong & The Diablos

@louiebates9801

Smokey also credits Dallas Taylor from the Danderliers as one of his influences.. Dallas and Nolan set the standard for falsetto voices.

@craigdavis5407

38w↑1

Cooley High!!!

@unlud792

3y↑2

great song ;(

@mchilds319

8y↑1

You can depend on me. 💝

@gilbertcordero2761

7y↑2

Great composer

@Iknowknow112

38w

I made the mistake of listening to this while on a public bus, good thing I was wearing sunglasses 🥹.

@williamg2552

14y↑2

The title at the bottom of this page is correct .This song is by THE MIRACLES. It is not just SMOKEY.

@stephenmarcus2825

So early Miracles song before Smokey began to emerge as the leader and legend he became.

@markv.5962

3y↑2

that opening chord sounds alot like like the beatles all i 've gotta do

@Riddickinfiniti15

6y↑2

love this song

@prettyprepre5450

Darnell Wilson 💕

@dustee

12y↑1

@bjclark1017 I remember watching him and the group perform this song live at The Regal in Chicago. I cried and I cried just listening to this song.

@KYRAA30

Cooley High 💕

@stellaemily3866

8y↑3

You need a love like mine 💖

@richardgrogan133

5y↑1

Seeing smoke at the apollo have all the girl there crying off of this

@armandmorris4244

William EYE HAD TO SHARE 😉😍

@famthemusicman4211

I always think about the movie cooley high when I here this song classic smokey

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