The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) … Read Full Bio ↴The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. The Miracles went on to become one of Motown's signature acts of the 1960s, during which time their original lead singer and founding member Smokey Robinson became one of the most successful songwriters and record producers of all time.
During their nineteen year run on the American music charts, The Miracles charted over fifty hits and recorded in the genres of doo wop, soul, disco, and R&B. Twenty-six Miracles songs reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including four R&B number ones. Sixteen of the Miracles' songs charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven songs charting within the Top Ten and two - 1970's "The Tears of a Clown" and 1975's "Love Machine" (Part 1) - reaching number-one.

Original members:

Ronald "Ronnie" White (1955–1978, 1980–1983, 1993–1995 (died 1995)
Warren "Pete" Moore (1955–1978) (died 2017)
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. (1955–1972)
Claudette Robinson (1956 - 1972, 2005 -2011)
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin (1958 - 1973) (died 2011)

Free Press
The Miracles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let's set freedom from the free press
Let's set freedom from the free press
You'll find it in the free press baby

Ya move in the city and ya
Wanna get down to the nitty gritty
Come on girl
You'll find it the free press baby

Let me turn ya on
Let me turn ya on
To the hippest publication
In the nation called the free press

If a hip massage is what you need
Massage parlours and such indeed
I say they offer you your privacy yeah
And I bet ya won't find them
In the yellow pages

No, no, no
You'll find it in the free press baby
So walk on there's a rock concert in the valley
I saw it today and it's such an aid of the free press

Ralph Nader good invader
It's the crooks in the system
In his column
He will list 'em every day now

Or the subject matter may be earthy
Won't you dare fill the pipe of his lurking

It deals with vicious types of crime subversive
And it bucks the establishment without mercy.

Overall Meaning

The Miracles's song "Free Press" is a celebration of the power and potential of the free press. The opening lines, "Let's set freedom from the free press, You'll find it in the free press baby," urge listeners to embrace the freedom of the press as a positive force for change in society. The song contrasts the power of the press with the corruption and falsehoods that often plague other institutions of power, with lyrics such as "It's the crooks in the system, In his column, He will list 'em every day now." The song also highlights the importance of alternative sources of information, with nods to the countercultural press of the time as well as Ralph Nader's activism.

The song also takes a lighthearted approach to some of the more taboo topics of the time, such as massage parlors and drug use. The lyrics, "If a hip massage is what you need, Massage parlours and such indeed, I say they offer you your privacy yeah, And I bet ya won't find them, In the yellow pages," reflect the less restrictive attitudes of the era and the counter-culture vibe of the free press. Ultimately, "Free Press" is a call to action and a celebration of the power of the free press to challenge authority and promote social change.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's set freedom from the free press
Let's separate freedom from the free press.

Let me turn ya on to the hippest publication in the nation called the free press
Let me introduce you to the coolest periodical, the free press.

If a hip massage is what you need, massage parlors and such indeed; I say they offer you your privacy yeah, and I bet ya won't find them in the yellow pages. No, no, no. You'll find it in the free press baby.
If you need a relaxing massage, private massage parlors might be exactly what you need although they are not advertised; they are found in free press magazines.

So walk on there's a rock concert in the valley, I saw it today and it's such an aid of the free press
Keep moving because there is a rock concert taking place that is promoting the free press.

Ralph Nader good invader, it's the crooks in the system. In his column he will list 'em every day now
Ralph Nader is a good invader to expose corrupt people in power, which he writes about frequently in his column.

Or the subject matter may be earthy, won't you dare fill the pipe of his lurking; it deals with vicious types of crime subversive, and it bucks the establishment without mercy.
Sometimes the content can be explicit and provocative, but it exposes violent crimes and stands up against authority figures who are corrupt.

Writer(s): BILLY GRIFFIN, PETE MOORE

Contributed by Annabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS