Who loves Smokey?

I agree. The Tracks of My Tears and Ebony Eyes come to mind.

Agree. Crusin' is one of my all time favorites.

I'd go with "Tracks Of My Tears".

I didn't really know the song until the movie Platoon came out...it's on the soundtrack...I like the opening of the song the best...the guitar intro.

Roger, we have the same favourite Smokey song:

Criusin' (love that tune)

or

Ooh, Baby Baby

or

Bein' with you

Cruisin is a great song and do you know what, it really works as a driving song. I was playing it out on the road last night and it sounds brilliant as the breeze blows in through the window.

Others I like Ooh baby baby [mentioned by Smorgs] More love, Here I go again, You really got a hold on me, The agony and the ecstasy.

What a voice!

Saw The Miracles ages back live (as one of many support groups to the Walker Brothers) with "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" ... .

Their leadsinger was called ... William Robinson aka Smokey

You really got a hold on me was of course covered by The Beatles on - I think - the With the Beatles album, but Smokey's version is the nonpareil.

Such a cover didn't do the song's profile any harm though...

May I correct you? From wikipedia (because I've found that the easiest way :wink: )



The Beatles covered that song - not The Miracles!

When Smokey Sings
ABC

Debonair lullabies in melodies revealed
In deep despair on lonely nights
He knows just how you feel
The slyest rhymes - the sharpest suits
In miracles made real

Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
You know you're right just to hold her tight
He soothes it right - makes it outtasite
And everything's good in the world tonight!

When Smokey sings - I hear violins
When Smokey sings - I forget everything
As she's packing her things
As she's spreading her wings
The front door might slam
But the back door it rings
And Smokey sings...he sings

Elegance in eloquence - for sale or rent or hire
Should I say - Yes I match his best
Then I would be a liar
Symphonies that soothe the rage
When lovers hearts catch fire

Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
You know you're right just to hold her tight
He soothes it right - makes it outtasite
And everything's good in the world tonight!

When Smokey sings - I hear violins
When Smokey sings - I forget everything
As she's packing her things
As she's spreading her wings
Smashing the hell
With the heaven she brings
Then Smokey sings...he sings

Luther croons
Sly's the original - originator
James screams
Marvin was the only innovator
But nothing can compare
Nothing can compare
When Smokey sings

When Smokey sings - I hear violins
When Smokey sings - I forget everything
As she's packing her things
As she's spreading her wings
She threw back the ring
When Smokey sings...

Smokey sings...

Smokey sings...

I've never heard of that song djjd. Nice tribute.

Ohhhh Smokey. Not only a singer but prolific songwriter as well. A true poet.

I read an interview with Springsteen some years ago where he said that he had "Cruisin" taped over and over and over again on a cassette which he played endlessly. For him, there was nothing better.

"The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" is one of my all-time Smokey favorites because the lyrics were so clever and well thought-out. Well, at least to a little kid in 1966...

"There you were
Beautiful
The power of love was written on your face
You led me on
With untrue kisses
You held me captured in your false embrace
Quicker than I could bat an eye
Seems you were telling me goodbye
Just a minute ago your love was here
Now all a sudden it's seemed to disappear
Sweetness was only heartache camoflouged
The love I saw in you was just a mirage"

The stuff he wrote for the Marvelettes "My Baby Must Be a Magician", "Don't Mess With Bill", "Destination Anywhere" were just so strong! I loved them because of the lead singer's voice and, of course, Smokey's lyrics.

"Eyes that hypnotize
And all it takes is just one glance..."

You started something! I was forced to download a slew of Marvelettes from Itunes this morning. (with Mary Wells, the Ronettes and the Chantels rounding out the disc)

I do know the song posted by djjd as ABC were quite a big band in the UK in the early 80s, but I never saw the full lyric before and I am pleasantly surprised by it:

Symphonies that soothe the rage
When lovers hearts catch fire

Great stuff.

ABC also did a cover of Smokey's Shop around [by which I don't mean they did the original ].

Smokey's work with the Marvellettes has been mentioned but he also was the main songwriter for The Temptations for a long time, writing and producing such classics as The way you do the things you do, My girl and Get ready. An early Temps album was called simply The Temptations sing Smokey.

My favorite Temptations song written by Smokey is "You'll Lose a Precious Love". Harmony tight, David Ruffin crooning out front. It was the kind of doowop that had you and your high school boyfriend slowdancing in the darkened gym without moving your feet.

eoe says

David Ruffin - Walk Away from Love

Sublime soul - one of my all time faves!

I know exactly what you mean, although I don't know that song. I love that doowap sound.

My fave Temptations song with Ruffin on vocals is between Aint too proud to beg and I wish it would rain, both of which were co-written by Norman Whitfield and nothing to do with Smokey [but I thought I'd mention them anyway! :wink: ] which just shows the quality of the writers that Mowtown had working for them in those days, and Smokey was the vice-president of Mowtown and so presumably had a big say in the hiring and firing process [particularly regarding a hugely successful band that he had invested so much work into putting on the map] so it is relevant, sort of...

Fantastic stuff, almost makes me wish I was born a decade earlier and so had been a teenager in that era. Luuuve it!

Sorry, I mean, I love it [I'm borrowing my girlfriend's phraseology and getting carried away, not surprising because I love her to bits!]

Caught Smokey about a year ago on "Def Poetry Jam" with Mos Def. It was incredible. Finally, witnessing the poet as a poet.

Damn right, but he isn't just a poet but somebody who can sing his poetry and put it to incredible harmonies.

Ref back to the Martin Fry lyric [aka ABC]

That's my point, Tino. For decades he's been known as a singer/songwriter. Finally seeing him as a stand-up-at-the-mic poet, no music, no choreography, no background singers, was quite remarkable, to say the least. It was a very, very special moment.

Favourite Smokey song "The tears of a clown" [music ciomposed by a certain Mr Stevie Wonder, who thought thatb the lyric reminded him of a sad circus story].

Played almost to death on oldies stations but I still love it!