THE MIRACLES - THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS

Released: June 23, 1965

Charted:  UK: #9    US: #16 

"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. The Miracles' million-selling original version has been inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame, has been ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America and The National Endowment for the Arts at No. 127 in its list of the "Songs of the Century".

Robinson had the music Tarplin wrote on a cassette, but it took him about six months to write the lyrics. The words started coming together when he came up with the line, "Take a good look at my face, you see my smile looks out of place." From there, it was a few days before he got the lines, "If you look closer it's easy to trace... my tears." What to do with those tears was a problem, as he wanted to say something no one has said about tears. In a 2006 interview with NPR, he explained that he finally came up with the image of tears leaving lasting marks, and the song came together. "One day I was listening, and it just came - the tracks of my tears," said Robinson. "Like footprints on my face. So that was what I wrote about."

"The Tracks of My Tears" is a classic soul ballad that delves into the hidden emotions and pain behind a seemingly cheerful and lively exterior. The lyrics tell the story of a person who is often considered the life of the party, known for their humorous personality and ability to make others laugh. However, beneath the surface, they are actually deeply sad and lonely.

The song was popular among American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War, which is reflected in the 1986 Oliver Stone movie “Platoon”, where the song is used. Motown head Berry Gordy has said that this song represents Smokey Robinson's best work.

THE MIRACLES - YOU’VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME

Released: November 9, 1962

Charted:  US: #8 

"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, which became a 1962 Top 10 hit single for the Miracles. One of the Miracles' most covered tunes, this million-selling song received a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It has also been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was recorded by the Beatles for their 1963 second album, “With the Beatles”.

Miracles leader Smokey Robinson wrote this song while thinking about Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me." Cooke would sometimes perform at Robinson's church with his group the Soul Stirrers, and Smokey was a big fan. Cooke's song finds the singer apologizing to his girl after casting her off, promising to treat her right if she comes back. "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" is the same sentiment but with the roles reversed: the girl mistreats the guy, but he loves her unconditionally.

When Motown was growing into a dominant label in 1962, they set up a tour where many of their acts performed together around the United States. For many people, this was their first look at Motown acts like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. This was the biggest Motown hit at the time, so The Miracles closed the shows with it.

THE MIRACLES - OOO BABY BABY

Released: March 5, 1965

Charted:  US: #16 

"Ooo Baby Baby" is a song written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore. It is a classic 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla (Motown) label. The song has inspired numerous other cover versions by other artists over the years, including covers by Ella Fitzgerald, Todd Rundgren, Linda Ronstadt, and many others.

"Ooo Baby Baby" features Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson lamenting the fact that he cheated on his female lover, and begging for her to overlook his mistakes and please forgive him. The song's highly emotional feel is supported by the Miracles' tight background vocal harmonies, arranged by Miracles member and song co-author Pete Moore, and a lush orchestral string arrangement that accents The Funk Brothers band's instrumental track.

When Smokey Robinson appeared on American Idol in 2009, he said that this song came about by accident. The Miracles used to sing a medley of love songs on stage, and at the end of the medley (a song called "Please Say You Want Me" by the Schoolboys) he broke off into singing "ooh, baby baby." The Miracles were so in tune that the other members started harmonizing with him, and the crowd went crazy. They incorporated this bit into their live act, then used it as the basis for the song when they decided to record it.

This is one of the most confusingly credited songs of all time; the title sometimes appears as "Ooo Baby Baby" instead of "Ooh Baby Baby," and the group alternately listed as The Miracles or Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. We've even seen a demo 45 where the song is listed as "Oo Baby Baby". On most compilation albums, the song is listed as "Ooo Baby Baby”. 

Robinson called this ballad his 'National anthem,' noting, 'Wherever we go, it's the one song that everybody asks for.' It is now considered the Miracles' signature song.