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.
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Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics
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Sit him down upon my knee and here is what I'll say
You might lose your lover, people do sometime
Oh, but it won't make sense for you to sit around cryin'
Son, don't you know that when you fall in love
Sometimes, you're gonna have the blues
but you're gonna she'd some tears
'Cause everybody's got to pay some dues, now, now
Everybody's got to pay some dues
You might have money, yeah, and a big fine car
It don't matter what you look like
No, no it don't matter who you are
Son, don't you know you can't win all the time
Sometime you're gonna have to lose
Just as long as you live
You got to take as well as give
'Cause everybody's got to pay some dues, now, now
Everybody's got to pay some dues
Whoa whoa whoa
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Yeah yeah yeah
(Yeah yeah yeah)
Yeah hea hea hea hea hea
(Yeah hea hea hea hea hea)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Well now, everybody's got to pay some dues
Yeah don't you know it now
Everybody's got to pay some dues
Make no mistakes now son
About the things I told you
I don't want you to think, yeah yeah
That I'm tryin' to scold you
Son because I know
You got to fall in love sometime
Be careful who you choose
'Cause it's sure my son before your life is done
You'll find that everybody's got to pay some dues
Yeah don't you know it now
Everybody's got to pay some dues
Dues, got to pay some dues, got to pay some dues
I've got to pay, he's got to pay
You've got to pay and she's got to pay
No matter what you do, I say
There is gonna come a day
When you gonna have to pay
Can't nobody get away from dues
Yeah yeah yeah, now
The song Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles is a message from a father to his son, instructing him on how to handle some of life's difficulties, particularly in relation to love and loss. The father urges his son to be prepared for the fact that love comes with risks and disappointments, and that it's okay to have moments of sadness and reflection. The father reassures his son that this doesn't mean giving up, because everyone has to face trials and tribulations in their lives.
The lyrics in the song suggest that having money, a good car or any kind of status, don't necessarily mean that one is immune to the difficulties of life. The father encourages his son to learn to take both the good and the bad, to be gracious in victory and humble in defeat, knowing that everyone has to pay some dues.
The song is essentially a guide from a wise father to a son as to how to approach some of life's challenges. The message is universally applicable and has resonated with audiences for generations. The song is a poignant reminder of the fact that no matter what one's status or circumstance may be, everyone has to pay some dues at some point in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
If ever I have a son in life, I'll call him in one day
I will have a conversation with my son about love and life
Sit him down upon my knee and here is what I'll say
I will give him advice and share my experiences
You might lose your lover, people do sometime
Heartbreak is a common experience in love
Oh, but it won't make sense for you to sit around cryin'
Crying over lost love won't change the situation
Son, don't you know that when you fall in love
You will fall in love at some point in your life
Sometimes, you're gonna have the blues
Love can bring sadness and pain
Well, it may take years but you're gonna she'd some tears
Getting over a heartbreak takes time and effort
'Cause everybody's got to pay some dues, now, now
Everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point in their lives
You might have money, yeah, and a big fine car
Money and material possessions can't shield you from experiencing pain
It don't matter what you look like
Physical appearance is not a guarantee of avoiding pain
No, no it don't matter who you are
No one is exempt from experiencing hardships in life
Son, don't you know you can't win all the time
You will experience losses in life as well as wins
Sometime you're gonna have to lose
Experiencing loss is an inevitable part of life
Just as long as you live You got to take as well as give
Life requires balance between giving and receiving
'Cause everybody's got to pay some dues, now, now
Everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point in their lives
Whoa whoa whoa (Whoa whoa whoa)
Interjection, no particular meaning
Yeah yeah yeah (Yeah yeah yeah)
Interjection, no particular meaning
Yeah hea hea hea hea hea (Yeah hea hea hea hea hea)
Interjection, no particular meaning
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Interjection, no particular meaning
Well now, everybody's got to pay some dues
Everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point in their lives
Yeah don't you know it now Everybody's got to pay some dues
Everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point in their lives
Make no mistakes now son About the things I told you
My advice is important and should be taken seriously
I don't want you to think, yeah yeah That I'm tryin' to scold you
I'm not trying to be critical or scold you
Son because I know You got to fall in love sometime
Falling in love is a natural part of life
Be careful who you choose 'Cause it's sure my son before your life is done
Choose your romantic partners carefully as it impacts your life
You'll find that everybody's got to pay some dues
Everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point in their lives
Dues, got to pay some dues, got to pay some dues
Repeating the phrase, everyone goes through difficult times
I've got to pay, he's got to pay You've got to pay and she's got to pay
No one is exempt from paying their dues in life
No matter what you do, I say There is gonna come a day When you gonna have to pay
Regardless of actions taken, everyone will still face hardships in life
Can't nobody get away from dues Yeah yeah yeah, now
No one is exempt from experiencing pain and hardship in life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONALD WHITE, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind