William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he also served as the group's chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as the Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.
However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year, later scoring Top 10 solo hits such as "Cruisin'" (1979), "Being With You" (1981) and "Just to See Her" (1987). Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Early life and early career
Smokey Robinson was born to an African-American father and a mother of African-American and distant French ancestry into a poor family in the North End area of Detroit. He was raised by his elder sister and her husband, after his mother died of a brain hemorrhage. His uncle Claude gave him the nickname "Smokey Joe" when he was a child. He attended Northern High School, where he was above average academically and a keen athlete, though his main interest was music and he formed a doo-wop group named the Five Chimes. At one point, he and Diana Ross lived several houses from each other on Belmont; he once said he has known Ross since she was about eight.
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin. It is a multiple award-winning 1965 hit R&B song originally recorded by their group, The Miracles, on Motown's Tamla label. Linda Ronstadt recorded a hit cover of the song in 1975. "The Tracks of My Tears" has also been covered by many artists over the years.
In the five-LP publication The Motown Story, by Motown Records, Robinson explained the origin of this song in these words:
"'Tracks of My Tears' was actually started by Marv Tarplin, who is a young cat who plays guitar for our act. So he had this musical thing [sings melody], you know, and we worked around with it, and worked around, and it became 'Tracks of My Tears'." Tarplin's guitar licks at the song's intro are among the most famous in pop music history.
Lewis's success continued with the release of her debut album, Spirit, in 2007; it went 10x platinum in the United Kingdom, while the lead single, "Bleeding Love", spent seven weeks at number-one. She achieved international recognition with the album in 2008, when she became the first British female solo artist to top the US Billboard 200 album chart in more than 20 years. Spirit has sold more than eight million copies worldwide, and "Bleeding Love" peaked at number one in over 30 countries, becoming the best-selling single of 2008. As a result, she was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard in 2008. Under the guidance of Cowell and Davis, Lewis released her second UK number-one album Echo and recorded the theme song for the film Avatar in 2009, while embarking on her first UK arena tour, The Labyrinth, in 2010.
The Tracks of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Classic Motown
published: 21 Nov 2008
The Tracks Of My Tears
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
The Tracks Of My Tears · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Definitive Collection
℗ 1965 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 2008-01-01
Producer, Associated Performer, Vocals: Smokey Robinson
Associated Performer, Guitar: Marvin Tarplin
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Claudette Robinson
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Warren "Pete" Moore
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Ronnie White
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Bobby Rogers
Composer Lyricist: Warren Moore
Composer Lyricist: Smokey Robinson
Composer Lyricist: Marvin Tarplin
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 30 Oct 2018
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tracks Of My Tears
A classic by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
published: 09 Nov 2008
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles The Tracks of My Tears lyrics
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles The Tracks of My Tears with lyrics (1965)
published: 26 Jul 2012
Boyz II Men - The Tracks Of My Tears
Official Website: http://www.boyziimen.com/
Stream: https://lnk.to/aHFtC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen
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Music video by Boyz II Men performing The Tracks Of My Tears. (C) 2007 Decca Label Group
Stevie Wonder & Smokey Robinson - "Tracks of My Tears" | 25th Anniversary Concert
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson perform "Tracks of My Tears" at the 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
Looking for more Induction Ceremony memories? Visit these official Hall of Fame online bios:
Stevie Wonder: http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder
Smokey Robinson: http://rockhall.com/inductees/smokey-robinson
published: 25 May 2020
SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - TRACKS OF MY TEARS
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
The Tracks Of My Tears · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Definitive Collection
℗ 1965 Motown Records, a Divis...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
The Tracks Of My Tears · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Definitive Collection
℗ 1965 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 2008-01-01
Producer, Associated Performer, Vocals: Smokey Robinson
Associated Performer, Guitar: Marvin Tarplin
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Claudette Robinson
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Warren "Pete" Moore
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Ronnie White
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Bobby Rogers
Composer Lyricist: Warren Moore
Composer Lyricist: Smokey Robinson
Composer Lyricist: Marvin Tarplin
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
The Tracks Of My Tears · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Definitive Collection
℗ 1965 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 2008-01-01
Producer, Associated Performer, Vocals: Smokey Robinson
Associated Performer, Guitar: Marvin Tarplin
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Claudette Robinson
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Warren "Pete" Moore
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Ronnie White
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Bobby Rogers
Composer Lyricist: Warren Moore
Composer Lyricist: Smokey Robinson
Composer Lyricist: Marvin Tarplin
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Official Website: http://www.boyziimen.com/
Stream: https://lnk.to/aHFtC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoyzIIMen
Ins...
Official Website: http://www.boyziimen.com/
Stream: https://lnk.to/aHFtC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoyzIIMen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyziimen/
Music video by Boyz II Men performing The Tracks Of My Tears. (C) 2007 Decca Label Group
Official Website: http://www.boyziimen.com/
Stream: https://lnk.to/aHFtC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoyzIIMen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyziimen/
Music video by Boyz II Men performing The Tracks Of My Tears. (C) 2007 Decca Label Group
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson perform "Tracks of My Tears" at the 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
Looking for more Induction Ceremony memories? Visit the...
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson perform "Tracks of My Tears" at the 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
Looking for more Induction Ceremony memories? Visit these official Hall of Fame online bios:
Stevie Wonder: http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder
Smokey Robinson: http://rockhall.com/inductees/smokey-robinson
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson perform "Tracks of My Tears" at the 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
Looking for more Induction Ceremony memories? Visit these official Hall of Fame online bios:
Stevie Wonder: http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder
Smokey Robinson: http://rockhall.com/inductees/smokey-robinson
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
The Tracks Of My Tears · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Definitive Collection
℗ 1965 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 2008-01-01
Producer, Associated Performer, Vocals: Smokey Robinson
Associated Performer, Guitar: Marvin Tarplin
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Claudette Robinson
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Warren "Pete" Moore
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Ronnie White
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Bobby Rogers
Composer Lyricist: Warren Moore
Composer Lyricist: Smokey Robinson
Composer Lyricist: Marvin Tarplin
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Official Website: http://www.boyziimen.com/
Stream: https://lnk.to/aHFtC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyzIIMen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoyzIIMen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyziimen/
Music video by Boyz II Men performing The Tracks Of My Tears. (C) 2007 Decca Label Group
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson perform "Tracks of My Tears" at the 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
Looking for more Induction Ceremony memories? Visit these official Hall of Fame online bios:
Stevie Wonder: http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder
Smokey Robinson: http://rockhall.com/inductees/smokey-robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he also served as the group's chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as the Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.
However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year, later scoring Top 10 solo hits such as "Cruisin'" (1979), "Being With You" (1981) and "Just to See Her" (1987). Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Early life and early career
Smokey Robinson was born to an African-American father and a mother of African-American and distant French ancestry into a poor family in the North End area of Detroit. He was raised by his elder sister and her husband, after his mother died of a brain hemorrhage. His uncle Claude gave him the nickname "Smokey Joe" when he was a child. He attended Northern High School, where he was above average academically and a keen athlete, though his main interest was music and he formed a doo-wop group named the Five Chimes. At one point, he and Diana Ross lived several houses from each other on Belmont; he once said he has known Ross since she was about eight.
la la la la I did you wrong my heart went out to play But in the game I lost you What a price to pay I'm cryin' Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby Mistakes, I know I've made a few But I'm only human you've made mistakes too Im cryin' Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope But I can't stop tryin' I can't give up hope Cause I feel that one day I'll hold you near whisper "I still love you" Until that day is here ooh, I'm crying Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby