Song Lyric Sunday: Smokey

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Today’s theme for Song Lyric Sunday is Motown songs, as Jim tells us in his post Hitsville. Maybe it was because it was the time when I was growing up and getting into music, but for me the heyday of Motown was the Sixties. I wouldn’t count myself as a huge fan, though there were quite a few songs and acts on that label that I liked. Choosing just one for today may well have been difficult for some, as there are so many possibilities, but for me there is one song that stands out way above the rest. This one:

A classic pop song, with wonderful lyrics:

Tu do do do, tu do do do, tu do do do, tu do do do do do do
People say I’m the life of the party
‘Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I’m blue
So take a good look at my face
You’ll see my smile looks out of place

If you look closer, it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you), need you (need you)
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I’m having fun
Although she may be cute

She’s just a substitute
Because you’re the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
Oh, you’ll see my smile looks out of place
If you look a little bit closer, it’s easy to trace
Oh, the tracks of my tears

Oh, I need you (need you), need you (need you)
Hey yeah, outside I’m masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up

I wear since my break up with you
Baby, take a good look at my face
Oh, you’ll see my smile looks out of place
Yeah, just look closer, it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears, baby baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, take a good look at my face
Yeah, you’ll see my smile looks out of place
Ooh, look a little bit closer, it’s easy to trace

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Marvin Tarplin / Smokey Robinson / Warren Moore / William Robinson Jr.

Is that a perfect pop song, or what? So good, in fact, that William ‘Smokey’ Robinson Jr got two songwriting credits for it! The song was released as a single in June 1965, making #16 in the main Billboard chart and #2 in the R&B listings. I’ve always thought of this one has having come around a little later than that, which is probably down to my being a Brit: on original release this wasn’t a hit here, but Motown reissued several previous tracks in summer 1969 and this became a hit here second time round, getting to #9. The song has no particular meaning for me, though I was in the throes of unrequited love when it was a hit here – I was only 15, and had a lot to learn! It is still one of the most beautiful songs I know, though, and just cried out to be played for Jim’s theme today – you can probably see the tracks of tears that it has left…

That’s all for today. A quick personal note to end with, though. I’ve been taking part in Song Lyric Sunday since the beginning of June and absolutely love doing it. There is a very welcoming community here, and my posts for this have always been amongst my most ‘liked’ and commented, which is fabulous. But I’ll be taking a short break: it isn’t that I can’t think of anything for the next few weeks, but December on my blog is when I take on the (for me) challenge of posting every day, which I do from 1-25 December, in what I call my Advent Calendar. Every day I give you one or more Christmas songs, a cartoon (which tend to get progressively less tasteful as the month goes on) and the occasional extra video. On Sundays I play versions of Christmas Carols, which is rather incompatible with this series, and who wants to see two posts from me on the same day anyway! But do feel free to drop in on the Advent Calendar and see what I’m playing there: you’ll find the odd chart song amongst them but it isn’t a collection of cheese, and definitely no Screeching Mariah! I promise to drop in each week here to see what you guys are playing, though: I’ve found a lot of new and enjoyable music from your posts. See you soon!

46 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday: Smokey”

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  3. I’m not sure if this isn’t my favourite song by him but if so, ‘I Second That Emotion’ runs a very close second.Incidentally, my favourite Motown Song is ‘I’m in a Different World’ by the much under rated four Tops fronted by the fantastic Levi Stubbs Jr.
    Hugs

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  6. Oh, I love that song so much! Another great one was The Tears of a Clown. (I remember getting that record as a 45 on my 15th birthday.) Now I have these songs going through my head (so thanks for that!)

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  16. A bit of ancient history for you, Clive. I was in high school in the swinging 60’s and loved Motown. My all-time favorite is the Bristol Stomp because Dom grew up in Bristol and he was “sharp as a pistol”. Can’t wait to hear your Advent choices.

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    • I had to look that up, as I’d never heard it, or even heard of it! Not Motown, seemingly, though? As I said to Stevie, music is great for bringing back memories, isn’t it. I just hope the Advent Calendar doesn’t disappoint: I’ll be playing many of my old favourites but will be mixing in some new ones too.

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