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

I Second That Emotion
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'll go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse that none at all

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me

If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion, oh

Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
And so it makes you wise to break the rules

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion

Oh, oh
Oh, oh

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion

Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(Oh)

Overall Meaning

In "I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the singer addresses a potential lover who may not be interested in commitment. The singer suggests that this person may be willing to share some temporary love and affection, but only for a short time with no promise of a future together. The singer then admits that such a situation would only lead to heartbreak and instead encourages the potential lover to consider a longer-lasting relationship with the singer. The song's title itself is a pun, as "second that emotion" sounds like "second that notion."

Line by Line Meaning

Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
Perhaps you will offer me affection, but only briefly and without repetition

But only for one night with no repeat
Offering me love, but only for a brief period, without engaging in future romantic interactions

And maybe you'll go away and never call
Perhaps after a short romantic fling, you will disappear from my life with no further communication

And a taste of honey is worse than none at all
Being given small amounts of love and affection, but then having it cut off, is worse than not experiencing it at all

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
If that's the case, I don't want to be involved in your temporary affections

I do believe that that would only break my heart
I truly believe that your fleeting love and departure would be emotionally painful for me

Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
However, if you genuinely want to love and care for me

If you got the notion
If the idea of expressing love occurs to you

I second that emotion
I support and confirm that emotion, and would also love and care for you in return

Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
If you want to express long-term love and care towards me

I second that emotion, oh
I fully support that idea and promise to reciprocate your lifetime of devotion

Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
Perhaps you believe that love will restrict and inhibit you

And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think you don't have extra time to devote to a relationship

Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
Alternatively, you may consider that love is only for those gullible enough to fall for it

And so it makes you wise to break the rules
Therefore, you consider it wise to not engage in love or relationships and to actively go against societal norms

(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(I still confirm my support and love for you, regardless of your doubts about love)

(Oh)

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred Cleveland, William Robinson Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS