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'Tracks Of My Tears'
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
鈥淭he Tracks Of My Tears鈥 is built around two vital ingredients: Smokey Robinson鈥檚 honey-dipped vocals and his heartbreaking lyrics. Miracles guitarist Marvin Tarplin came up with the main riff after listening to calypso singer Harry Belafonte鈥檚 鈥淏anana Boat Song鈥. |
 Song facts |
| Composer |
Warren 鈥淧ete鈥 Moore/Smokey Robinson/Marvin Tarplin |
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| Genre |
Soul |
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| Album |
Going to a Go-Go |
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| Year of release |
1965 |
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| UK Chart Position |
9
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Robinson wrote the majority of the lyrics straight away, although it was several weeks before he came up with the song鈥檚 central motif of tears leaving tracks down the face.
The memorable introduction perfectly sets the mournful tone of the piece and readies the listener for Smokey鈥檚 smooth vocals. The music is pure Motown 鈥 rattling snares, stabs of strings and blaring brass 鈥 while the harmonies from The Miracles are heavenly. The theme of a man hiding his grief behind a fake smile 鈥 鈥淎lthough I might be laughing loud and hearty/ Deep inside I鈥檓 blue鈥 鈥 is one Robinson later explored with huge success on 鈥淭he Tears Of A Clown鈥.
Strangely though this was not a big hit on its release in 1965 - it failed to make the UK charts, although it did reach number nine when reissued four years later. But although the world may not have known it then, it鈥檚 now clear that one of Motown鈥檚 stars was at the height of his powers on this release.
Smokey Robinson talks about his singing voice |
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Smokey Robinson talks to Andy Peebles about his singing idols, his "boy-sounding" voice and how his singing style has changed over the years.
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Other versions |
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听Linda Ronstadt brings her distinctive local style to Smokey Robinson's soul classic.
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Songwriting tips Are you trying to write your own Soul classic?
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