Ask Smokey Robinson

Mr. Robinson,

First and foremost, thank you for being part of one of the biggest influences of music. Now, during your time as a songwriter for Motown Records, what times were easier for you to pen, was it the joyous and happy times or the more sad and perhaps lonely times?

Mr. Robinson, The music produced in your time with Motown, Do you not
think it had more substance than today's music? In other words, the music had quality or meaning to the songs back then. Not like now, with the vulgar words and what not. Todays music is not like you can play with the family listening. Thank you

Pardon me, but I feel that I should address you as 'Smokey', though with complete respect, for I feel as if I know you. I am a complete by-product of the Motown "Golden Era", pre-Jackson 5 and The Commodores, and you and your musical influence molded me into the producer/songwriter/musician that I now aspire to be.

I became a songwriter solely because of you, and there was a time when I knew the lyrics and melody to every song you recorded be it a single release, or an album 'filler'. I still can sing along with any song you've written while it's being played and/or performed.

I could write to you for hours, but I know I need to cut this short, as it may be edited due to length anyway.

My question posed to you now is what do you recall as your foremost driving force when you wrote that initial collection of songs presented to Berry Gordy when you were around 17 years old, and those that followed for the next 5 or 6 years? Your lyrics were not that of an inner city African-American male bred within what others may view as a limited circumstance, but those of a well-developed, seasoned, mature soul, far beyond your years. I've studied your masterful lyrics since I was a teen-ager (you and I are about the same age), and have often wondered how you could write so well when you were so young. Hopefully, you'll be allowed to answer.

I love you as a positive, spiritual brother, person, songwriter, producer, and vocalist, and still maintain hopes of meeting you one day.

Much love and respect to you, my Brother...

Where and how did you come up with the song,( When the words to my heart get,s caught up in my throat ooh baby I better write a note)?

Smokey,
Did you ever get angry or upset at the British invasion of all those white English singers stealing the thunder from Motown?

SMOKEY:

WHEN WILL YOU BE COMING BACK TO TORONTO? WE MISS YOU, AND YOUR
OH-SO-SMOOTH MUSIC UP HERE !

KATHY CHRISTIE

What are your favorite songs that you have written or recorded, and what makes them your favorites?

As a big fan of the Motown Family, could Motown have supported and saved Marvin Gaye doing his low period?

Music has grown so diverse over the years since the founding of Mowtown. Do you feel that some of the new genre such as hip hop and rap really qualify as music per se?

How do you feel about the trend of Caucasian singers with "powerful and soulful black voices" rising in the R&B charts?

The first album I ever purchased was The Fabulous Miracles (You've Really Got a Hold on Me).

Prominent on the cover was Marv Tarpin showing him as a mainstay of The Miracles.

Marv remains with you and to your credit you always point him out whenever I see you in concert.

Can you tell me more about Marv's connections with Smokey, The Miracles, Motown and other accomplishments we are not familiar with?

Hello!

What was it like for you to sing with the legendary Lucy Lawless of Xena Warrior Princess fame (among other roles)?

Will you please sing happy birthday to me? It's not until september

Dear Smokey, First of all let me say I love all your music. My question is how can a songwriter make it in the business? With all the changes that have taken place with the internet and The music business in general it has been a tough road for me.

I never get tired of hearing them, but do you ever get tired of singing your songs?

Dear Mr. Robinson:

I have always loved your operatic reference in "The Tears of a Clown." How did you come up with the idea of referring to Pagliacci ("just like Pagliacci did, I try to keep my sadess in")? And do you think that there were very many listeners who understood your reference?

Dear Mr. Robinson:

I heard a radio show that talked about your life, and it mentioned a relationship you had with a much younger girl that ended badly.
This was many years ago.
Apparently, you took it so hard that you turned to drugs and it almost killed you. What ever happen to that girl and do you ever see her or think about her?
Any good advice to the young people that experience a broken heart, like you did?

P.S. I love you velvet voice!

God Bless You!

How does it feel -- at this point in your life -- to have influenced a generation of songwriters and performers who have had such a large impact on the American culture?

Why does Marvin Gaye singing "Whats going on" and Public Enemy singing "Fight the Power" elicit different reactions (sympathy v outrage) from the public when both address more or less the same social issues?

Dear Smokey,
How did you keep the magic going, since "Mickey's Monkey", until now?

Will u come back to Jamaica to perform?

Mr. Robinson,

First, let me congratulate you & Motown on fifty wonderful of musical enjoyment. I got on the Motown train way back in 1963 with your song, and album of the same name, "Mickey's Monkey." I still get goose bumps when I listen to your version of "Land of 1000 Dances." Man, you were one funky young man on that song!!

Anyway, back to YOUR songs. We all know of your wonderful witty lyrics and production of songs. This is regards of the pre-production of your songs. It's been stated by others that your primary arranger during the glory years was Willie Shorter.

My question is, just how did you and he (and the other great arrangers at Motown, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, David Van de Pitte, Jerry Long, etc) come up the musical arrangements of your songs? Earl Van Dyke, the leader of the Funk Brothers and Paul Riser have stated that you always wanted your songs fully arranged before you came in the studio. Why was that?

Did you do the rhythm arrangements first and then decide to add string/horns?

Like I told Berry Gordy when I got a chance to thank him when he was town pushing his book in 1994, I want to thank you for all the happiness and joy you have given the world during the past fifty years.

You make songwriting seem effortless. What was the most difficult song for you to write?

Smokey,
I have heard your commentary on social policy and ills in our society, what has kept you from running for public office or assuming another prominent leadershipp role in either the public or private sector?

-Lifelong fan,
Frank Phillips
Oakland, CA

Smokey,
You are a survivor and above all a wonderful musician. Why does it seem that success quickly ruins musicians and groups lkie it seems to have done to many Motown acts especially the Temptations.