Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “The Tears of a Clown,” Pop #1, R&B #1 By Joel Francis The Daily Record One of pop music’s most unique and amazing properties is its ability to wrap the most heartbreaking lyrics in a bubbly, effervescent melody. Think about it for a moment. While there are shades and [...]
Posts Tagged ‘The Miracles’
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “The Tears of a Clown”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Enuff Z'Nuff, Hitsville U.S.A., LaToya Jackson, Petula Clark, Phil Collins, Roxette, ska, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The English Beat, The Miracles, The Tracks of My Tears on July 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Rare Earth – “Get Ready”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged acid rock, Ash, Berry Gordy, Black Eyed Peas, Bobby Rogers, Eddie Kendricks, Fergie, Get Ready, Gil Bridges, Hitsville U.S.A., Norman Whitfield, Pete Moore, Pete Rivera, psychedelic rock, Rare Earth, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, the Proclaimers, the Supremes, The Temptations, Will.I.Am on February 15, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Rare Earth – “Get Ready,” Pop # 4, R&B # 20 By Joel Francis The Daily Record Motown’s signing of Rare Earth in 1968 was the sign of a label attempting to spread its wings. Although Rare Earth wasn’t the first all-white rock group signed by to Motown (that would be the Messengers in 1967), [...]
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “Baby, Baby Don’t Cry”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Claudette Robinson, doo-wop, Hitsville U.S.A., I Only Have Eyes for You, Marv Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, the Flamingos, The Miracles on November 25, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “Baby, Baby Don’t Cry,” Pop # 8, R&B # 3 By Joel Francis “Baby, Baby Don’t Cry” ended the Miracles streak of seven consecutive Top 10 R&B hits and was the group’s fourth and final hit of 1968. At four minutes, the song was one of Motown’s longest singles [...]
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “I Second That Emotion”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Al Cleveland, David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, Diana Ross, Grateful Dead, Hitsville U.S.A., Japan, Jerry Garcia, Marv Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, soul music, Tammy Wynette, The Miracles, the Supremes, The Temptations on September 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “I Second That Emotion,” Pop # 4, R&B # 1 By Joel Francis Smokey Robinson was Christmas shopping with fellow Motown songwriter Al Cleveland when Cleveland let slip the malapropism “I second that emotion.” Intrigued, Robinson penned a lyric about a man disinterested in flirting, fishing for long-term love. [...]
Gladys Knight and the Pips – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, Daydream Believer, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Isley Brothers, Jerry Wexler, King Curtis, Marvin Gaye, Monkees, Norman Whitfield, psychedelic soul, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, the Pips, the Supremes on September 9, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Gladys Knight and the Pips – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Pop # 2, R&B # 1 By Joel Francis Unlike nearly every other soul singer at the time, Gladys Knight didn’t want to go to Motown. She was (rightly) worried she and her group, the Pips, would end up playing second fiddle to [...]
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “More Love”
Posted in Motown, Song Review, tagged Berry Gordy, Bette Davis Eyes, David Ruffin, Diana Ross, Hitsville U.S.A., Kim Carnes, Martha Reeves, New Christy Minstrels, Paul Young, Smokey Robinson, Tamla Robisnson, the 5th Dimension, The Miracles, The Temptations on September 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – “More Love,” Pop # 23, R&B # 5 By Joel Francis Smokey Robinson has penned dozens of gorgeous love songs throughout his career, but few are affecting as “More Love.” The reassuring lyrics speak to the tragedies the couple suffered as a result of life on the road. Between [...]
Temptations – “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep”
Posted in Motown, tagged Berry Gordy, Bruce Springsteen, David Ruffin, Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Funk Brothers, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, James Jamerson, Jimmy Ruffin, Mary Wilson, Norman Whitfield, Paul Riser, Pistol Allen, Smokey Robinson, Supremes, Temptations, The Miracles on May 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Temptations – “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” Pop #3, R&B #1 By Joel Francis After teaming to give the Tempts a No. 1 R&B hit with “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland paired again to deliver “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” which fared even better. The song was the Temptations’ third [...]
Rock Hall Celebrates 50 Years of Motown
Posted in Motown, Music history, tagged Berry Gordy, Bobby Rogers, Diana Ross, Fox Theater, Funk Brothers, Hitsville U.S.A., James Jamerson, Joel Francis, Mary Wilson, Motown Turns 50, museum exhibit, Rick James, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rock Hall, Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, the Supremes on January 9, 2009 | 6 Comments »
Above: Part of the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit celebrating 50 years of Motown Records. The exhibit is open all year. (Photo courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.) By Joel Francis It may seem hard to believe, but “the sound of young America” is 50 years old. To celebrate [...]
The Miracles – “The Tracks of My Tears”
Posted in Motown, tagged Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Elvis Costello, Hitsville U.S.A., Joel Francis, Johnny Rivers, Smokey Robinson, soul music, The Miracles, The Tracks of My Tears on December 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Miracles – “The Tracks of My Tears,” Pop #16, R&B #2 By Joel Francis Smokey Robinson had little to prove in 1965. Since joining Motown four years ago, he had not only given the label its first million-selling single and its first No. 1, but written, produced or performed on scores of classic tracks. [...]
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