This 1965 song is pretty ubiquitous but I think I first
heard it on a "Motown Heartbreakers" compilation cassette. In fact, few people cover the whole range of
emotions, better than Motown.
Being based in Detroit, Berry Gordy famously used Ford's
assembly line concept to produce an incredible series of hit single for 1960s
America. However you still need to find great performers (like Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross) and world class writers / arrangers (like Norman
Whitfield and the famed Holland Dozier Holland). Smokey Robinson falls into both categories. Bob Dylan reputedly called him "America's
greatest poet" (although you should never believe much of what he says).
This must one of the saddest songs ever, as Smokey Robinson
testifies that his life is an sham and illusion since his partner broke up with
him. In under three minutes, we can feel
his full pain and suffering. On the outside, he still seems the life of the
party, making jokes, laughing, smiling. But it is an act and charade, because
"deep inside I'm blue" and shattered.
The only way to tell is by detecting the remote marks on his face left
by his tears. Even a new girlfriend cannot help him, there is just the
plaintive "I need you! "
The melody was
initially written by the Miracle's guitarist Marv Tarplin (who gave
himself the great opening chords), and then fleshed out by bassist Pete Moore. It is a great sound,
but the real highlight are Smokey Robinson's lyrics. Rhyming couplets are
always difficult, and can often appear
clunky or contrived (Noel Gallagher), but Robinson is a master. I particularly
like the rhymes for cute &
substitute and masquerading &
fading. There is also the heart-breaking
image of his smile being "my makeup since my breakup with you".
The song's style is more 1950s do-wop than soul or R'n'B, with
Smokey's sweet crooning ("I hear
violins" - ABC), complemented by male chorus backing, especially on the
call and response "I need you" - "need you"
It is such a great achievement to produce such a heartfelt lament, and even more impressive that he matched it with "Tears of a Clown"
five years later (other singles included "My girl is gone", "Broken-hearted",
"What's so good about goodbye", "The love I saw in you was just
a mirage" ). I really hope Smokey didn't
have that much misery in the 1960s!
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNS6D4hSQdA
Hear Next - Motown's strength in the early years were
singles, so logically compilation of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, or Motown in general are
unbeatable, especially the 4 CD "Hitsville USA".
