By matt (208.130.56.167) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 01:07 pm:

this one's been killing me lately:

"i have so much confidence when i'm by myself
it's like my nerves wore an armored coat
but baby now you're such a charmer
you melt that coat of armor
and the words from my heart
get caught up in my throat
(maybe i'd better write a note)"

By medusa9e (66.73.14.196) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

what about the lyrics 2 'Baby Baby Don't Cry'
and 'More Love'...(This is no fiction, this is no act, this is real, it's a fact)...and 'The Tracks Of My Tears'..People say I'm The Life of the party because, I tell a joke or two, although I maybe laughing loud & hardy, deep Inside I'm blue'...(and) atlhough she may be cute,she's just a substitute because, you're the only one...I mean those lyrics had true meaning and gave U something 2 think on & 2 feel.
Does anyone know what I'm tryin 2 say?

By Nish (128.239.47.66) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 02:25 pm:

"I will build you a castle with a tower so high
It reaches the moon.
I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly,
and compose you a tune..."

And "Take some ashes or salt, whichever you desire and if that don't make it move put some chains around the tires and pretty soon you're ready to take your ride... but I can't be moved away from you and it's been proved no matter what you do, still I will be stuck on you." BEAUTIFUL!

"If my woe was here to please you, I'd be pleased with my woe, and if my sorrow brought you joy, I'd enjoy my sorrow, and I wouldn't think twice about the sacrifice, anything that I'd have to do, because whatever makes you happy makes me happy too." That's just amazing to me.

By Handsome (170.118.157.133) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 02:58 pm:

You may not know what quarter notes are
Or what I mean by "four to the bar" now
Such musical terms may be Greek to your ears
But deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song that my heart hears

That's mine.

By Common (209.2.55.172) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:12 pm:

Hello everyone,

The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage

We used to meet in
Romantic places
The promise of love
Was written on your face
You led me on
With untrue kisses
You held me captive
In your false embrace

Quicker than I can bat an eye
Seems you were tellin me goodbye

Or

I Can't Find

I've been lookin
There's just nobody around
No sense lookin for who
Can never be found

And of course, Tears Of A Clown, More Love, It's Growing, etc.


Peace!

By Eli (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:28 pm:

Wow Nish,you got your Smokey stuff down girl.
I do concur with your feelings on I'll try something new. It serves as the musical template by which my songs are constructed.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:36 pm:

IN "TEARS OF A CLOWN"...SMOKEY'S REFERENCE TO PALLIACHI!!!...SHOWS A CERTAIN SOPHISTICATION FOR A KID OUT OF THE INNER CITY OF DETROIT!!!...STUBASS

By medusa9e (66.73.6.185) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:37 pm:

...Smoke also composed these lyrics...
Nothing you can say
could tear me away
from MY GUY

Nothing you can do
'cause I'n stuck like glue
to MY GUY
I'm sticking to my guy
like a stamp to a letter
like birds of a feather, we
stick together...
I'm telling you from the start
I can't be torn apart
from "MY GUY"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got sunshine
on a cloudy day
when it's cold outside
I've got the month of May
well, I guess you say
what can make me
feel this way...
"MY GIRL"..
(and the rest was History)

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 04:30 pm:

My heart went out to play but in the game I lost you what a price to pay I'm crying Ooo Baby Baby
I'm just about at the end of my rope but I can't stop trying and I can't give up hope someday you'll hold me near and whisper I still love you until that day is here I'm crying Ooo Baby Baby

And how about "Fork In The Road" killer lyrics.

"Tracts Of My Tears" great lyrics.

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 04:56 pm:

I am extremely partial to the song "Then" sung by Diana Ross and the Supremes on the Reflections album and then recorded again with the Temptations on the Together album. Some of the lyrics are

If Beethoven never wrote a song
And if Shakespeare never wrote a play
If a man has never done a wrong
And if night has never followed day
Then I guess I don't Love you
then I guess I'll have to find me
somebody new
then I guess this love for you couldn't
possibly be true.

The man can write...

By Nish (66.119.33.170) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

I swear, Eli, if I ever have even one lyric that I've written recorded, I might as well just forward the writer's royalty check to Smokey Robinson.

Oh yeah, others that I like -

"One way is for those who go alone, that way tempts the fool like me, oh but lovers don't try to make it on your own, you don't want this misery"

"I hope you'll understand my position, I'm so in love with you, I'll adapt myself to any condition that you ask me to, in the desert where it is hot, or in the North Pole where it's not, and I'll be glad, how happy you would make me if you would only take me..."

"Cute in a peculiar way, a sneak up on you fool you way..." - (From "Once I Got To Know You, Couldn't Help But Love You")

"I'm gonna make it my business to ask your name and get to know you, I'm gonna make it my business to find out the places that you like to go to, I'm gonna make it my business to give you joy to great to measure, I'm arranging my business just so it can be your pleasure."

"I felt it quite awhile ago, but I had to say no, I couldn't admit it to myself, but I guess it's right that the truth comes to the light..." - from "Now That You've Won Me"

"You're like a broom, I'm like dust in the room, 'cause I'm swept for you baby"

"Sunny boy, looks good in everything from silk to corduroy (or mohair), to see him I'd go from Idaho to Illinois (or anywhere)..."

Okay, I think it's safe to conclude Smokey Robinson is a genius.

By TD (68.70.126.246) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

"I've cried a river since the day you said goodbye, and if you don't come back I'm gone to drown in the tears I cry".

Save Me

"If I don't brag or boast click my glass and say a toast"

Still Waters

"Whats so good about goodbye"

"I may not be the one you want, but I know I'm the one you need"

TD

By medusa9e (66.73.6.185) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 07:35 pm:

..Kinda make U fel like Stevie Wonder when he said~~~I WISH THOSE DAYS, COULD COME BACK ONCE MORE, WHY DID THOSE DAYS EVER HAD TO GO, I LOVE THEM SO~~~~~~~~~and let's not 4 get one of Smokeys first:
I don't like you, but I love you
seem like I'm always, thinking of you
oooyou treat me badly, I love you madly...
Don't wanna leave here, don't wanna stay here
don't want to spend, another day here...
You really got a hold on me.

Just because you've become a young man now
there's some things that you don't understan now
Before you ask a girl to say 'I do' now, make sure she's in love with you now...
My mama told me, you better shop around.
(A lot of mothers need 2 tell their son &/or daughters that 2day).
The songs of that time not only sounded good, but they told stories, and if U listened hard enough, U would learn a thing or 2. There were messages N the music.
I remeber my first time trying 2 figure out the Temptaions recording of 'You've Got To Earn It' & 'The way you do the things you do', just simple lyrics with sinsible meanings

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 07:37 pm:

NO LESS THAN BOB DYLAN CALLED SMOKEY...THE GREATEST AMERICAN POET OF THE 20TH CENTURY!!!...HE MADE THAT STATEMENT BACK IN THE 60'S!!!...STU

By Diego (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 09:00 pm:

Nish, yeah, yeah, "and everyday we can play on the milkyway, and if that don't do, i'll try something new.." talk about imagery! And what about:

"You need a love like mine that you can depend on when your whole world's falling in, when you need a friend, you can depend on me....

S.S.. medusa you know i'm feeling you on those choices. it's like close your eyes and point, right? "Sun is shining, there's plenty of light, a new day is dawning sunny and bright, but after i've been crying all night, the sun is cold and the new day seems old. Since I lost my baby..."

By Marv (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:17 am:

"I'll be side you every step of the way, a hearth that's truthful and keeping it youthful with more love" - More Love

"Midnight Sun brightening up my darkest hour, noonday shadows...taking me from ice to fire" - How can you be daylight and darkness at the same time!!!!! - Daylight and Darkness

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:33 am:

"I bragged to the world about
the girl that I had
but it woke me up to find out
she (e-e-e-e!) was bad and my
o (o-o)nly wish is that I
wish I could make a
[everybody!]
bad, bad girl be good..."


I have many, many, many more fav Smoke lyrics, couldn't possibly list them all.

SMOKE IS THE MAN!!!

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:37 am:

"She's not a bad girl
because she
made me see
how love could be
But she's a bad girl
because
she want's to be free
she wants to be free.."

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:39 am:

Oh $#@!, lemme play some Smokey!!! You all have started something!!!

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:40 am:

Smokey should be studied as Shakespeare is, I honestly believe!

By Nish (170.224.224.38) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 01:17 am:

Keep coming with those Smokey tunes guys! Come on now!

Or what about this "My heart is running down, just like a clock, it needs to be wound, before it stops, and only your kiss can wind it up and make it get started, so come and wind it up before I wind up broken hearted."

"hail soft stones of love on me, let them play on my desire, kiss me softly, let your lightning light my fire..."

"You should be huggin' somebody tight now, and I'm puttin' my bid in right now, let me have some!"

"I don't claim to be a jack of all trades but it's love that I'm trying to master, and if you let me love you I can master it a little bit faster."

"Well every woman should try to be whatever her man wants her to be, and I don't want much all I want from you is for you to be true to me!"

"The words I love you just won't do as much for me as just a few hugs and kisses every now and then... oowee baby!"

"All he wants me to be is his wife, wine, women and song are his life..."

"You look as if you're only out walking, you don't even notice how I'm watching you, but the closer you come you make me feel more numb..."

"My, but my days seem shorter since I met your mother's only daughter, why don't you love me like you oughta, since you won my heart"

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 01:54 am:

"My Heart Is Like A Clock" (correct name?) indeed has clever lyrics, and the song just has a cozy feel.

By Julian (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 02:24 am:

Smoke was doin' it more than anybody! I don't think he gets the props he deserves!

By Gary Rosen (12.234.25.217) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 03:02 am:

"The way you stole my heart you know you coulda been a cool crook"

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 10:11 am:

The greatest Smoke lyrics!!! Of His own songs:

Ill Try Something New
You Can Depend On Me
Ooo Baby Baby
The Tracks Of My Tears
Fork In The Road

But there all good, Smokey can't write a bad song, he's smokin'!!!

By Mike Sku (64.9.11.62) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 11:38 am:

If Michelangelo could never paint
And if Jezebel was a saint...
(also from "Then", DR& the Supremes Reflections LP)

What lyrics!

But my favorite:

"Secretly I've been trailing you
Like a fox that preys on a rabbit
I had to get you and so I knew
I had to learn your ways and habits
Ooooh, you were the catch that I was after
When I looked up and I was in your arms
I knew I had been captured.
What's this old world coming to?
Things just ain't the same
Any time the hunter gets captured by the game.

I could go on and on...

By Nish (216.148.246.134) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:19 pm:

Smokey at his most hilariously diabolical:

"You even wrote yourself a love not and signed some man's name, and put it where I can find it, it's just a lowdown dirty shame..."

I should really stop at this point, REALLY.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 03:27 pm:

Everybody knows how great Smokey is at romantic lyrics but some of my favourite couplets of his are ..

"A woman can be as fine as can be, with kisses sweet as honey,
But that don't mean a thing to me if she ain't got
no money,
Cos when the purse is fat, that's where it's at"

and

"I don't care if she waddles like a duck and talks
with a lisp,
I still think I'm in good luck if the dollar bills are crisp"

Sheer poetry ! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when that one was written, heaven knows
what the unused lines were like.

For those who don't know the song it's
"First I Look At The Purse" by the Contours.

Davie

By stranger56 (165.155.160.122) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

"Last night we had an argument....
Oh, but baby, the things I said I never meant..
....Girl....
I'm, so sorry that I broke your tender heart,
But we've come too far to end it now.

You say you're satisfied, and we can leave things just like this
But what you don't realize is.....
Without your love I can't exist

Please, oh please have mercy on me....
...Can't you see....
That we've come too far to end it now

Now I know our love is much too very strong...
To ever think about ending this would be so very wrong
We've had arguments before,
But there's one thing you must know
That I think we've come much too far to end it..
Baby, doncha know I can never let you go
I really love you so
Gotta let you know
That we've come much too far...oohhh
Baby come to me....gotta make you see...
We can make it last, just like in the past
We've come too far to end it now"

Thank you.....thank you all...lol

Stranger56

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 05:31 pm:

Although she may be cute, she's just a substitute because, you're the only one....

By DUSTYROSE (152.163.194.206) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 07:08 pm:

Saw You There
And Your Laughter Seemed To Fill The Air
A Scent Like Perfume From Your Loverly Hair
A Scent That I Do Adore

My Heart Said To Me
Don't Walk Head On Into Misery
Heh With Your Eyes Wide Open
Can't You See
A Hurts In Store
Just Like Before

But OOH Here I Go Again
Walking Into Love
Here I go Again
Never Thinking Of
The Danger That Might Exist
Disregarding All Of This
Just For You

HIS TALENT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY
I'M SEEING SMOKEY IN TWO WEEKS IN ATLANTIC CITY
BE STILL MY HEART !!!!!!

By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 08:03 pm:

Stranger56, I love that song "We've Come Too Far To End It Now"... it's a great Smokey delivery, but surprisingly, it's not a Smolyric... Johnny Bristol, Wade Brown, and David Jones are responsible for that fantastic lyric. Although Smokey and the Miracles were great at song selection too, because the songs they did that weren't written by Smokey still sound as though he could have written them. A song that comes to mind is "Give Her Up," written by Mickey Stevenson, in which Smokey sings (earlier Martha Reeves and the Vandellas did it) "On second thought oh, don't give her up, cause I know I'll take her back whenever you do."

By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 09:12 pm:

Nish,

OOPS!
Ya know, Smokey, being who he is, I never even thought to look to see if he wrote that. I just figured for sure that he wrote it. It never occured to me that someone else might have put pen to paper on that song.
Oh well, I stand corrected.

But isn't it a great damn song???

Stranger56

By jan (80.50.157.155) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 04:42 am:

this thread made me late on this rather warm warsaw ( poland ) morning

i pulled out my smokey robinson and the miracles 4 disc anthology to remind myself of the words to 'choosey beggar', ( disc two ) - well i had to play ooh baby baby, love i saw in you was just a mirage and a couple of others too

looked at my watch, late - guy waiting for me in the office but disc three has 'more love' and 'here i go again' ( beautifully quoted above, but the harmonies make that song special ) - played those, then 'choosey beggar' once more for luck

i still can't quote it word for word but i feel great after my 'smokey moments', i've gotv rid of the guy waiting for me and i thought i'd share this all with you

By John Lester (213.123.133.30) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 05:41 am:

d'ya like the wind as the rain cloud carries me places afar...

...we're like a stamp and a letter, addressed to a love life for two, if the stamp didn't take it, then the letter couldn't make it, so I'm gonna stick with you, don't you ever leave me, unless you wanna grieve me......take me where you go

In the desert where it's hot or in the north pole where it's NOT...

You could be a prince or a pauper, or a shoemaker working with leather, we could live in a palace or a hut, (so what) as long as we're together, don't you ever leave me, unless you wanna grieve me, take me where you go......

(Flo's "baby"'s just kill me)

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 08:03 am:

Girl you were beautiful
The promise of love was written on your face
You led me on, with untrue kisses
Oh, you held me captive in your warm embrace
Quicker than I could bat an eye
Seems you were telling me goodbye
Just a minute ago your love was here
All of a sudden it seemed to disappear
Sweetness is only heartache,camouflage
The Love I saw in you,was just a mirage.

Smoke, Marv Tarplin's guitar and those marvelous backgrounds were just too much. My all time favorite. Genius personified. 'Nuff said..........

By John Lester (213.123.133.30) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 08:51 am:

Kdubya

You are not alone - I know others who rank that as their favourite song of all time!

By Nish (66.119.33.170) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:30 am:

John - "Take Me Where You Go" is the living END! And Flo just shines on that song, doesn't she?

Jan - cute story! See the Miracles are good for a lot of things.

and how can I forget "Two Lovers?" One of the most clever lyrics ever.

By John Lester (213.123.133.30) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 11:04 am:

Nish

Oh yes, Flo certainly shines on that song.

By the way, you have heard Smokey do "Long Gone Lover" for the Velvelettes...I hope it won't be long before you can hear how he captures Cal's sulty vocals for "Your Heart Belongs To Me" - I think the song will have to be issued with a heart warning cos it is smokin'! If the "lover of mine" from a "far away place" had heard how Cal sings that song, he would have been back to her on the next plane!!

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 11:06 am:

One of my many favs is:

Give you lovin'
As warm as Mama's oven,
And if that don't do,
Then I'll try something new

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

I CAN'T FIND PEACE AT NIGHT,I'M EITHER WATCHIN T.V.OR WALKIN,I CAN'T FIND ANY CONVERSATION THAT MEANS MORE TO ME THAN TALKIN,I CAN'T FIND SATISFACTION EVEN WHEN I DO SURRENDER,I CAN'T FIND ANYBODY LIKE YOU WHO MAKES TENDER MORE THAN TENDER!...ONLY SMOKEY,ONLY SMOKEY!

By Nish (170.224.224.134) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 04:44 pm:

John -

Oh my gosh, the Velvies have a version of "Your Heart Belongs To Me?" Uh-huh! I HAVE to hear that song! I know Cal wears that song OUT!

By John Lester (81.132.2.182) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 05:27 pm:

Nish...

I am doing my best.....my very best!!

By Greg C. (207.103.134.170) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 09:09 pm:

"Oh, my morale was low, then he appeared just like a genie. His love has the power, he's my private great Houdini." My Baby Must Be A Magician-Marvelettes (Sophisticated Soul LP)

"When I'm with my friends, and the man talk begins, and they brag about all the love they know. All that I can do is listen, cause all I've done is just some kissin. Can you love a Virgin Man?" Virgin Man-Smokey Robinson (Pure Smokey LP)

By tyrone (192.128.134.68) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:18 pm:

Someone eluded earlier to one of my favorites "Choosey Beggar" .....

Beggars can't be choicy I know
That's what the people say
But though my heart is begging for love
I've thrown some love away ...

People say you can't have your cake
And then eat it too
They tell me that I'm making a mistake
Waiting around for you
Oh I'm begging for love but
Why can't they see that
Yours is the only love for me
Cause I'm a choosey beggar
Choosey beggar
And you're my choice baby ...

If beg you I must
Then I'll never give up
Cause your love is the only thing
That'll fill this beggar's cup
I'm choosey and you're my choice oh baby
Well I need someone to hold me
And I need arms to enfold me
And I need someone beside me
If I had you I'll care
Baby baby baby baby baby baby ...

By john dixon (68.58.232.48) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 10:33 am:

Usually, a spoken intro to a record is a perfect recipe for full-on dreckage to follow. Only Smokey could pull this off and make it a hit record too. The simplicity of this opening always gives me chills:

"Nothing so blue as a heart in pain
Nothing so sad as a tear in vain"--Baby Baby Don't Cry

By Scratcher (65.238.172.135) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 04:32 pm:

How could you guys not mention "What's So Good About Goodbye" and "That's What Love Is Made Of?"

What's so goooood, about goodbyeeeee
all it does, is a make a you cryyyyy
Well if leaving caused this grieving and to part can break your heart, tell me what's so good about it, I could have done without, what's so good about goodbye.


You take sugar and spice (Sugar and Spice)
Everything nice (Everything nice now)
and you got a little girl (Yea, yea)
You take sticks and snails (Sticks and snails)
Some puppy dog tails (Puppy dog tails)
and you got a little boy (yea, yea)
That's What Love Is Made of,
That's What Love Is Made of.

Sticks, snails, puppy dog tails
Sugar, spice everything nice
Yea, Yea, Alright.

By R&B (138.238.41.30) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 04:37 pm:

I HAVE A FEELIN THAT THIS IS GONNA BE A LOOOOOONG THREAD!

By DustyRose (64.12.97.7) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 09:18 pm:

John Dixon
I agree with you ,that a spoken intro is
usually a receipe for boredom.
Except if it's Smokeys voice or Smokeys lyrics.
I've always felt that the opening intro for
Still Waters is breathtaking

"Walk With Me....Take My Hand"

So simple,so beautifull,it always begs me to play it again and again.

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 05:55 am:

Anyone know who wrote the song "Malinda"? I don't think it was Smokey, but lyrically ... what a well thought out song.

i.e. Malinda's the girl, who came in my world and made my interest in all other girls stop. ....etc.

Allen

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 06:03 am:

Hey, Allen. Good to see you back on here. You guessed it! Smoke was one of three writers for "Malinda." The other writers were Alfred Cleveland and Terry Johnson.

I agree with you on that line in the song, and I would bet Smokey wrote it.

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 06:13 am:

Thanks Uptight. That was a pure shot in the dark on my part. Is there another name I might know you as?

Allen

By Uptigh (24.55.6.144) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 06:24 am:

Yup, Allen. We corresponded by email a few times. You and I used to live on the same block in Detroit. And now I believe we live near each other in the Valley, right?

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 07:09 am:

GotCha Uptight,
What up Home Skillet?
I'm in Granada Hills. Where are you again?

Allen

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 07:26 am:

Oh, I don't know where Granada Hills is. My bad. I'm in NoHo.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 12:03 pm:

I NEED TO BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU AGAIN SO WE CAN DO AGAIN LIKE WE USED TO DO,I'LL NEVER GET NO ONE TO TAKE YOUR PLACE,I'LL JUST HAVE TO FACE LIFE WITHOUT YOU,SO WON'T YOU LET ME COME ON HOME CAUSE I'M TIRED OF BEING ALL ALONE,BABY SEE IF YOU CAN ARRANGE FOR ME TO SEE YOU CAUSE I NEED A CHANGE! WHENEVER I HEAR THOSE VERSES I SHOUT,OOOH,IF YOU'RE A SMOKEY FAN AND THIS SONG DOSN'T MOVE YOU THEN CHECK YOUR PULSE CAUSE YOU MIGHT BE DEAD!

By Nish (216.148.244.38) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 12:43 pm:

When you're feeling all right, I never see you coming, but when you're hurt, you always come running, but one of these days I know, I'm gonna have to let you go, then tell me, who you gonna run to, where you gonna hide, who you gonna tell that you're hurting inside.

That's one of my favorite Smokey-written Tempts songs!

By Scratcher (65.238.127.29) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 01:27 pm:

Seems like love should be easier to bear, but it's such a heavy load.
Worldwide travels, you ain't been no where, 'til you've travel down love's road.
Although, I may be just a stranger,
Never let me wander where there's danger,
of a Fork in the Road.

My favorite Miracles song.

By Greg C. (207.103.134.14) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:34 pm:

Here I Am Baby
The one who swore to never yield
Here I Am Baby
The one who swore to play the field

Said I wouldn't let no man tie me down
Not a single one now
Wasn't gonna ever give my heart
To a mother's son now

Many a day I probably stated
The man for me ain't been created
But Here I am Baby....

Marvelettes-Here I Am Baby
Sophisticated Soul LP 1968

By russegal (165.247.211.85) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:25 pm:

"I want a love I can see,
That's the only kind that means a thing to me
Don't want a love you have to tell me about
That's the kind of lovin I can sure do without..."


Temptations


Yep...that's kitchen dancin music....!

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 08:44 am:

Youre' the girl I'm crazy for, Everyday it seems, I love you more and more...Now if theres some reason why I shoudn't love you, the way that I do, with a love thats so true , now darling, Point it Out !...................

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:20 am:

BEFORE YOU LET HER TAKE YOUR HAND MY SON,UNDERSTAND MY SON BE A MAN MY SON,I KNOW YOU CAN MY SON I LOVE YOU,SHOP AROUND!

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.10) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:45 am:

The Smokey song that always killed me was Martha's 'No more tear-stained make-up'

I got no use to wear
a pair of lashes or
mascara
My eyes have constant shadows from the crying

That I've done so much of lately
Cause it really hurt me greatly
When I found the love you vowed was only lying.

But I'm young so there's still a chance
I may find me a new romance
No more tear-stained make-up for me.

No sponge has quite the power
To absorb the constant shower
Of the tears pancake and powder could never cover
Like a storm more tears have rained since your shirt was lipstick stained
And the stains that it contained
Were not my colour

But I'm young, etc.

...That's all I can remember after all these years, and the chorus was based on the old silent movie horror theme.

By LeVan45789 (166.107.78.119) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 12:02 pm:

Mine would have to be "Here I Am Baby"

Here I Am Baby
The One Who Swore To Never Yield
Here I Am Baby
The One Who Swore To Play The Field

The Marvelettes 1968

I have this song on my pager!!!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:15 am:

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT WOULD PAY A HANDSOM PRICE TO SLEEP IN HOLLY'S BED,SHE COULDN'T SEE THAT FAR AHEAD THAT SHE WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE LIVING DEAD,HOLLY ON A CLOUD IN THE SKY,WAY UP ON A CLOUD FLOATING HIGH!..I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU,BUT TO ME SMOKEY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL SOLO EFFORT.HOLLY!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 11:19 am:

LOVE'S A HALLWAY WITH SO MANY DOORS,WHICH ONE DO I GO THROUGH TO MAKE ME YOURS?..POINT IT OUT.

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 02:59 am:

Are you guys DEAF??? :o)

Hands down, the greatest line ever written, by Smokey (or anyone else for that matter), is definitely "...I don't need no money, fortune or fame, I got all the riches baby, one man can claim.." from "My Girl"...

...well, in MY opinion, anyway :o) ...

By MzMusik (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

Here's a couple of mine:

If Romeo and you had ever met,
there never would have been a Juliet
A beauty like yours is so rare,
Even Mona Lisa can't compare (ALL THAT'S GOOD)

Love's a puzzle, Love's a puzzle, confusing as can be, but work it out and you'll discover,
The beauty of loves mystery.
Be my love, come let the work begin
Be my love, loves puzzle we can blend
Be my love, we'll fit the pieces in....somehow

Jagged edges such as heartbreak, can drive you out of your mind, they don't seem to fit, but oh don't you quit, cuz, they're part of loves design.
(Oh Be My Love)

Put your love in the light, let it stay there
There's no use going on playing solitare
Fulfeel your need
Fulfeel your need

Since loves hurt you so bad
Now it's taboo
Come closer now let me comfort you
Fulfeel your need, I will
Fulfeel your need.

A need can be costly, yet isn't worth a cent
if two hearts don't love, with a mutual intent
Love needs love and doesn't cost a dime
It's owned by two hearts, working and giving
all the time.

There's a light burning low in my window
If that ol love fire in you can again glow

Fulfeel you need, need, need, need, need, need, etc: (Fulfeel Your Need)

I could go on forever, but suffice to say that there's not a lyric he wrote that doesn't touch the heart at one time or another!!!

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.3.122) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 09:45 pm:

Did Smokey write the Temps~~You Got To Earn It and~~What Love Has Joined Togehter???

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 02:37 pm:

WHAT LOVE HAS JOINED WAS WRITTEN FOR MARY WELLS,BUT WHEN THE TEMPS SUNG IT,I MEAN HER VERSION AIN'T BAD,BUT WHEN THE TEMPS SING IT...THAT'S IT!!

By SB (205.186.129.180) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

For all the heartbreak lovers in 'da house. I've certainly been there and done that.

"I just don't know what to do with myself"
"Don't know just what to do with myself"
"I'm so used to doing everything with you"
"Planning everything for two"
"And now that we're through"
"I just don't know what to do"

And a boohoo.

I loved all of Smokey's songs. That man is the epitome of what a poet is and does - and his songs have always been right up my alley.

We love you Smokey. Thank you for neva "Walking On By."

I'm listening to you right now. You saved many of my boring babysitting nights back in the day.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:14 pm:

THINGS CHANGE,EVEN MOUNTAINS CAN CHANGE,SOMETIMES SUNSHINE CAN BE WASHED AWAY BY THE RAIN,BUT WHEN SUNDOWN COMES I CAN SAY LORD I MADE IT FOR ONE MORE DAY!WHEN SUNDOWN COMES.

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.10) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

Smokey made those songs personal, SB, but Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself and Walk On By were written by other songwriting geniuses, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.0.162) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 09:59 pm:

Let him walk onout if he wants to
he doesn't really deserve you
his lost is our gain
so don't be blue
because stone (cold)??? not sure
and out of his mind
is what he has to be yeah
...all shucks, does anyone know the lyrics to
Smokeys' "Baby Baby Don't Cry"?

By caliluv (63.251.57.2) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:45 am:

"Ain't That Peculiar"
Honey you do me wrong but still i'm crazy about you
Stay away too long and i can't do without you
Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more
But each hurt makes my love stronger than before
I know flowers go through rain
But how can love go through pain

Ain't that peculiar
A peculiar ality
Ain't that peculiar baby
Peculiar as can be

You tell me lies that should be obvious to me
I've been so much in love with you baby til i don't wanna see
That things you do and say are designed to make me blue
It's a dog gone shame my love for you makes all
Your lies seem true
But if the truth makes love last longer
Why do lies make my love stronger

I cried so much just like a child thats lost its home
Maybe baby you think these tears i cry are tears of joy
A child can cry so much until you do everything they say
But unlike a child my tears don't help me to get my way
I know love can last through years
But how can love last through tears


"Take This Heart Of Mine"
Ooo, you say you're feelin' bad 'cause
The least thing makes you cry
Sounds like a real bad case
Of a girl who needs a guy
I think I know the perfect jewel
One you ought to try
Take a heart that's full of love
On this you can rely

CHORUS:
If you need some quick reaction, take this heart of mine
And if you need some satisfaction, take this heart of mine
And if you're tired of being lonely, take this heart of mine
I think I can help you if you'll only take this heart of mine

I may not be a doctor who can cure your ills
Goodbye to all those different drugs and hard - swallowed pills
My remedy is older than the tale of Jack and Jill
My prescription is the kind you love to have refilled

(chorus)

Got a lovin' side (this heart of mine)
That's pure as gold (this heart of mine)
Take it, it's yours (this heart of mine)
To have and to hold (this heart of mine)
And if you do that, baby (this heart of mine)
After we grow old (this heart of mine)
It'll be the greatest love story (this heart of mine)
That was ever told (this heart of mine)
Oh, baby (one more time, let's hold)

Oh, medicine won't cure you
Just leave you at the most
The relief is only temporary
Pretty soon will go
But love can last a lifetime
When two hearts are close
Take as much as you want to
There is no overdose

By moanman (24.44.218.110) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Hey Medusa-woman,

I came to this thread a li'l life in life. But like you, "Baby Baby Don't Cry" is probably my all-time favorite Smokey tune. You wanted the lyrics a while back? Well, in case you're still interested, they go a li'l sum like dis:

BABY, BABY DON'T CRY
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Nothing so blue as a heart in pain
Nothing so sad as a tear in vain
Let him walk on out if he wants to
He really doesn't deserve you
His loss is our gain so don't be blue

Cause stone blind and out of his mind
Is what he has to be, yeah
So baby straighten up, come on and fly right
It's no catastrophe, yeah
And say now baby, baby don't cry

Baby, baby don't cry
Baby, baby here's why
Love is here standing by
Love is here standing by

Too bad it was him that you trusted
Too bad but you can't be disgusted
It's time that you got readjusted
And realized that tear filled eyes
Can't stop him now
That man is on his way
I think he's gone to stay
You better drop him now, yeah

Oowee now, baby, baby don't cry
Baby, baby don't cry
Baby, baby here's why
Because love is here standing by
Love is here standing by
You trusted him and gave him your love
A love he proved unworthy of
Oh baby, oh baby all you've got to do
Is dry your eyes long enough to see

That you have found the love you thought
You had in him here in me
Love is hope girl, love is strength
Here's someone standing right beside you
Who would go to any length

To give you love true and deep
And hope you realize at last
You found a love that you can keep
And only losers weep
So standing by you , tears aren't shed in vain
I said so

(then back the Chorus)


Peace
MM

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 02:56 pm:

"Everyday I'm more inclined ta
Find her
Inclined ta
Find her
Inclined ta find my baby
Been looking everywhere (ba--by)
Baby, I really, really care!

Oh, determination is fading fast (oh yeah)
Inspiration is a thing of the past (oh yeah)
Can't see how my hope's gonna last
Good things are bad and what's happy is sad

Since I lost my baby. (Since I lost my baby.)
Oh, since I lost my baby. (Oh, since I lost my baby.)
I feel so bad (since I lost my baby)
I feel so sad (since I lost my baby)
Everything is wrong
This heart is hard to carry on (since I lost my baby)
I'm lost as can be (since I lost my baby)
What's gonna happen to me...."

Just one spippet of a genius......so many, many more....

By Nish (216.148.246.134) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

Well, I'm partial to:

"Nuff gold in her personality to set fort knox to shame, this golden girl belongs to me let no guy try to stake his claim on my baby."

and "Don't blame me entirely for the hurt you've gone thru, stop and think about it it's your own fault too, you share the blame."

and the crown jewel "It would be easier to take the/ wet from water/ all the dry from sand/ than for anyone to try to/ separate us/ and stop us from holding hands." THAT is GOLDEN.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Check out Smokey's "Pure Smokey" LP, too......some good, very original, and admittedly odd lyrics in there......particularly on "Virgin Man" and "My Daughter's Having a Baby."

By RnE (64.164.115.207) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 10:19 am:

I know that you know how precious to care is
and you know that I know my darling that there is...Nothing that means mo oore to a woman than a love she can count on...

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

I'M PAYIN THE PRICE FOR A TRIP I TOOK TO PARADISE CAUSE I LOOKED INTO A PAIR OF EYES AND WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE LOOK OF LOVE WAS ONLY HURT IN DISGUISE.

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 03:32 pm:

HEY,HEY,HEY PAPERBOY,LET ME SEE YOUR PAPER PLEASE,HEY,HEY,HEY PAPERBOY THAT STORY MAY BE JUST FOR ME,I LOST MY LOVE A SHORT TIME AGO,IS HE TRYING TO FIND ME I'VE GOT TO KNOW,HEY.HEY,HEY..PAPERBOY.