Such an excellent choice, this song is epic. Smokey is an icon too, not just as a singer but a songwriter too. His songs have been covered by many artists. He's still with us at 84, thankfully.
Don't recall this version, but very familiar with Linda Ronstadt's soulful rendition. My introduction to Smokey & the Miracles is a 45 of "Tears of the Clown"
The final track on Motown Chartbusters Volume 3, a golden treasury of sweet soul music. Compiled originally for the British market, it became one of the best-selling UK albums of 1970.
Though he's definitely a superstar crossover, he is so much more influential both in front and behind the scenes than he gets credited. One of so many of his hits.
Evening Justin. Dave from London (A Thousand Miles Away.... probably more!). Love this song, but there are so many brilliant Motown classics - by Smokey, Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations etc. etc. Talking of big Smokey hits, Tears of A Clown hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic. P.S. my song ref A Thousand Miles Away is a 50s doo-wop classic by The Heartbeats.
This is one of the biggest hits of that era and remembered by all growing up during that time. There are so many songs the Smokey either wrote or wrote and sang for Motown during the 1960’s and early 1970’s!
Smokey Robinsons hero in singing was another detroit native,Nolan Strong ,lead singer of the Diablos,who had many early doo-wop hits ,like The Wind ,in 1954,give this a listen one day,JustJP
A wonderful classic. The sweetness of his voice is also shown in his big hit "Cruisin' ". Also watch the live, black and white video of Smokey and The Miracles doing "Ooh Baby Baby" from around 1966. There you'll really see the stage presence and appeal he had while singing that classic song.
Smokey was also Berry Gordy's right hand man at Motown in Detroit MI. Paul McCartney [of the Beatles and Wings and solo work] is good friends with him, had put up the money to restore the original Motown Grand Piano used on Motown recordings, for the Motown Museum. That's how much McCartney loved the Motown Artists and their output. The Beatles once covered one of Smokey's songs early on with "You Really Got a Hold on Me."
Smokey had a number 1 hit in the UK with 'Tears of a Clown', which had a similar theme to 'Tracks of my Tears'. It's probably my favourite TM song, I remember my cousin playing the 45 all the time.
I instintively associate this song with summertime, so I must have heard it when it was reissued in the UK in 1969. Loved it then, love it still. Timeless.
Absolute banger this one, love it. Smokey is a legend, one of Motown's proper leaders and a fantastic artist. I think the unsung hero of this track is the brass arrangement, marvellous.
I am shocked you didn't know this better. I first learned the song by the Johnny Rivers cover of it. I think this was in your discord recently (along with a few hundred other tunes) but not as a rec IIRC. I forgot say this song is a classic and it deserves the status.
So many classic soul tracks from that era, both within and outside of Motown. Even though I grew up as a child in the 80s, around '87 my 12 year old self decided that all this modern music just wasn't cutting it for me and for the next few years, until I got back into more contemporary music via alternative rock and heavy metal, I only listened to what was termed oldies radio (basically early rock 'n roll up to the British Invasion). So I have a special love for many of the artists from this era. Mary Wells, The Drifters, The Temptations, etc.
Gentleman had quite an instrument! There is surely some avian in his background somewhere. And it makes one wonder if Smokey and Al Jarreau ever collaborated. Hmm... Great to hear this old classic with new old ears. BTW. Even though Senegal appeared fairly close to Nigeria, it is approaching 2 thousand miles in distance between. Africa is that big. Sorry to change the subject. Happy Sunday!
Linda Ronstadt's cover of this on her Prisoner In Disguise album is the best version of this classic song, imo. Her voice is just immaculate, as always.
You don't need to be a soul/Motown/sixties fan (and I'm not...generally) to appreciate that Smokey Robinson is a true musical genius. I'm putting him top tier with Stevie Wonder and James Brown ahead of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. This often pops up in 'best singles of all-time' lists and I have no problem with that.
Talking of tears and combined with Motown, please take a listen the The Temptations, ' Iwish it would rain' the back story is heartbreaking from the writer however the song itself is immense and the harmonies are tremendous and such a great way to express how hard he felt to face the world. Whilst talking about the Temps, their songs covered many aspects of life. Social issue, such as "Take a look around' the the all time classic groove and message of "Papa was a rolling stone' These are some of the reasons why Motown passes the test of time
The great Smokey wrote “When the Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” and I think the version by the Marvelettes is sublime. The original mono single version is the best and it’s on yt, I think you really like that one. Oh and “gonna be a big thing” by the Sapphires is another great one.
You haven't heard this?!?!? Early Motown is brilliant! Have you heard Marvin Gaye's album "What's Goin' On?" Best. Album. Ever. (according to whomever)
An absolute classic song from one of the great soul voices of the sixties.
Such an excellent choice, this song is epic. Smokey is an icon too, not just as a singer but a songwriter too. His songs have been covered by many artists. He's still with us at 84, thankfully.
Smokey was a major player at Motown.
Check out by him: Tears of a Clown,I Don’t Blame You At All,Going to a GoGo,loads of them.
Great great era.
Tears of a Clown is my fave of his/theirs!
Masterpiece. Smokey is my idol, incredible singer songwriter. Great simple lyrics.
My absolute idol. He has written like 1.000 songs and superb quality both lyrically and melodically
100% perfect song.
I back that 100%!
Don't recall this version, but very familiar with Linda Ronstadt's soulful rendition. My introduction to Smokey & the Miracles is a 45 of "Tears of the Clown"
The final track on Motown Chartbusters Volume 3, a golden treasury of sweet soul music. Compiled originally for the British market, it became one of the best-selling UK albums of 1970.
The first LP I ever about.
Though he's definitely a superstar crossover, he is so much more influential both in front and behind the scenes than he gets credited. One of so many of his hits.
Evening Justin. Dave from London (A Thousand Miles Away.... probably more!). Love this song, but there are so many brilliant Motown classics - by Smokey, Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations etc. etc. Talking of big Smokey hits, Tears of A Clown hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic.
P.S. my song ref A Thousand Miles Away is a 50s doo-wop classic by The Heartbeats.
This is one of the biggest hits of that era and remembered by all growing up during that time. There are so many songs the Smokey either wrote or wrote and sang for Motown during the 1960’s and early 1970’s!
Many people know this song, some for its use in ":Platoon" Great song, no matter what
Smokey Robinsons hero in singing was another detroit native,Nolan Strong ,lead singer of the Diablos,who had many early doo-wop hits ,like The Wind ,in 1954,give this a listen one day,JustJP
Is The Wind the same as the cover on Laura Nyro: Gonna Take A Miracle?
Edit: it is, love that song
Beautiful vocal harmonies! A real Motown classic!
The Banana Boat Song though... "Too loud man! Too loud!".
He had another, similar hit a few years later, called Tears of a Clown.
A wonderful classic. The sweetness of his voice is also shown in his big hit "Cruisin' ". Also watch the live, black and white video of Smokey and The Miracles doing "Ooh Baby Baby" from around 1966. There you'll really see the stage presence and appeal he had while singing that classic song.
This song is a real classic! Love this song! It's timeless!
Even though I grew with this song in the early 80's, I still always think of Platoon when I hear it.
Smokey was also Berry Gordy's right hand man at Motown in Detroit MI. Paul McCartney [of the Beatles and Wings and solo work] is good friends with him, had put up the money to restore the original Motown Grand Piano used on Motown recordings, for the Motown Museum. That's how much McCartney loved the Motown Artists and their output. The Beatles once covered one of Smokey's songs early on with "You Really Got a Hold on Me."
Smokey had a number 1 hit in the UK with 'Tears of a Clown', which had a similar theme to 'Tracks of my Tears'. It's probably my favourite TM song, I remember my cousin playing the 45 all the time.
Gotten so used to my Soul Asylum cover song. Good to hear the original again.
I instintively associate this song with summertime, so I must have heard it when it was reissued in the UK in 1969. Loved it then, love it still. Timeless.
Absolute banger this one, love it. Smokey is a legend, one of Motown's proper leaders and a fantastic artist. I think the unsung hero of this track is the brass arrangement, marvellous.
I am shocked you didn't know this better. I first learned the song by the Johnny Rivers cover of it. I think this was in your discord recently (along with a few hundred other tunes) but not as a rec IIRC. I forgot say this song is a classic and it deserves the status.
So many classic soul tracks from that era, both within and outside of Motown. Even though I grew up as a child in the 80s, around '87 my 12 year old self decided that all this modern music just wasn't cutting it for me and for the next few years, until I got back into more contemporary music via alternative rock and heavy metal, I only listened to what was termed oldies radio (basically early rock 'n roll up to the British Invasion). So I have a special love for many of the artists from this era. Mary Wells, The Drifters, The Temptations, etc.
Ah, the soundtrack to my teens. I feel sorry for today's teenagers for the lack of it.
Smokey!!
Incredible Songwriter and Musician!
You should check out Bryan Ferry's version of this one Justin!
Smokey is a legend.
‘Going to a Go-Go’ is also good. A Go-Go was a place to dance. Try some more Smokey.
Love the way you truly enjoyed this wonderful tune. Also a very solid analysis thereafter, as usual 😁.
Massive classic tune. Hard to go wrong with Smokey Robinson. I see there is another guy naming other hits here in comments.
Gentleman had quite an instrument! There is surely some avian in his background somewhere. And it makes one wonder if Smokey and Al Jarreau ever collaborated. Hmm...
Great to hear this old classic with new old ears. BTW. Even though Senegal appeared fairly close to Nigeria, it is approaching 2 thousand miles in distance between. Africa is that big. Sorry to change the subject. Happy Sunday!
Linda Ronstadt's cover of this on her Prisoner In Disguise album is the best version of this classic song, imo. Her voice is just immaculate, as always.
Check out "I Second that Emotion" or "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" for some of his most brilliant writing.
Masterful lyrics.
You have to do my favorite Smokey song, Cruising. He and Roy Orbison both have the silkiest voices.
I had this album. Love this song. Linda Ronstadt did a cover.
they used it in platoon showed cameraderie between grunts.
You don't need to be a soul/Motown/sixties fan (and I'm not...generally) to appreciate that Smokey Robinson is a true musical genius. I'm putting him top tier with Stevie Wonder and James Brown ahead of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. This often pops up in 'best singles of all-time' lists and I have no problem with that.
Talking of tears and combined with Motown, please take a listen the The Temptations, ' Iwish it would rain' the back story is heartbreaking from the writer however the song itself is immense and the harmonies are tremendous and such a great way to express how hard he felt to face the world. Whilst talking about the Temps, their songs covered many aspects of life. Social issue, such as "Take a look around' the the all time classic groove and message of "Papa was a rolling stone' These are some of the reasons why Motown passes the test of time
I suggest listening to "Banana Boat (Day-O)", a parody by Stan Freberg and Billy May released in 1957 by Capitol Records.
The great Smokey wrote “When the Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” and I think the version by the Marvelettes is sublime. The original mono single version is the best and it’s on yt, I think you really like that one. Oh and “gonna be a big thing” by the Sapphires is another great one.
mind blower
Linda Ronstadt does a beautifully poignant cover of this with some country twang.
Harry Belafonte had Jamaican born parents.
Linda Ronstadt had a great cover in 1975.
You haven't heard this?!?!? Early Motown is brilliant! Have you heard Marvin Gaye's album "What's Goin' On?" Best. Album. Ever. (according to whomever)
Dude...this song is cool....but his best song is Tears Of A Clown. I know you've heard it. It is iconic!!
But Dad...it's Smokey!!
Mowtown…….its an incredible musical education……this music is incredible.