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)
Mickey's Monkey
The Miracles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Come on, let's do Mickey's monkey, children
Yea, let's do Mickey's monkey, children
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Come on, you can do the monkey, children
Yea, you're doing Mickey's monkey, children
Lum di lum di lie
Lum di lum di lie
Do the monkey, Mickey's monkey
Do the monkey, Mickey's monkey
Mickey's monkey
Mickey's monkey
The lyrics to The Miracles' song "Mickey's Monkey" are deceptive in their simplicity. At first glance, they seem like a nonsensical call to dance to a catchy beat. However, there is a deeper meaning to be found. The song is actually a tribute to a dance craze that was popular at the time. Mickey's Monkey was a specific dance that involved swinging your arms and legs in a random and exaggerated way. The lyrics are imploring children to join in and do the dance themselves. By doing so, they are not only participating in the latest trend but also referencing the playful and carefree attitude that comes along with childhood.
The song was written by William "Smokey" Robinson and released in 1963. It quickly became a hit and solidified the popularity of the Mickey's Monkey dance. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics made it a classic of the Motown era. It also foreshadowed the arrival of more experimental and genre-defying music to come. Overall, Mickey's Monkey may seem like a silly tune, but it holds a special place in the history of dance and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Lum di lum di lie
Let's keep the beat going strong with this fun nonsense phrase
Come on, let's do Mickey's monkey, children
Let's all dance together in the style of Mickey's famous monkey dance
Yea, let's do Mickey's monkey, children
Yes, we are going to dance just like Mickey's monkey, kids
Come on, you can do the monkey, children
Don't worry, everyone can join in and dance like a regular monkey
Yea, you're doing Mickey's monkey, children
Yes, you are all successfully dancing in the style of Mickey's monkey
Do the monkey, Mickey's monkey
Let's dance the monkey dance that Mickey made famous
Mickey's monkey
This is the type of monkey dance that Mickey Mouse used to do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward Jr. Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@l.angellove15
CONGRATULATIONS TO MOTOWN'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
AND TO YOURS TRULY
MR. SMOKEY ROBINSON AND
THE MIRACLES AND
VICE PRESIDENT OF MOTOWN.
SINGING ANOTHER GREAT MOTOWN'S FAVORITE HITS SONG
"MICKEY'S MONEY"
@mikecinquen
It should be a crime to have that much talent on one stage at one time!! Smokey = KING!
@breakevenbernie8543
You got that right Amen 😊
@user-um6lz9hg3r
It should also be a crime to have that much fun at one time.
@dustinredding4897
Went to a bar a few weeks ago...and decided to play this on the jukebox and bust out the moves lol...I'll be damn i had about 5 people between 55-65 join me latino, black and white! Warmed my heart and showed me that EVERYONE can knows the Mickeys Monkey 🤣❤️
@nadinelindo7448
Fun fact: The very first record Michael Jackson ever bought was this single "Mickey's Monkey" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, cut by that classic Motown group in the 1960s. Within a few years Michael was recording for Motown himself. 😊 RIP Michael ❤
@kozmicblues7758
Born in 1947. Still one of my most favorite tunes.
@chriscoburn69
A great piece of footage, thanks for posting. It's one of my favourite Miracles songs, I love the way that they've used a classic Bo Diddley beat. Claudette's voice is all over this one - it's a shame that she didn't join Smokey and the boys in their public appearances during the 60s.'
@laminage
+Chris Coburn What had happened was that she decided to Retire because she wanted to start a Family. She suffered Seven Miscarriages including The Birth and Death of Fraternal Twin Girls. She and Smokey had Two Children Berry born in 1968 and Tamla in 1970. His Marriage deteriorated when he had a Baby with his Mistress.
@pst9821
Hand jive do that crazy hand jive
@johnfulton4061
Claudette stopped touring with the group in the mid sixties and became a stay at home mom she did continue to record with them