Submitted by MPAdmin on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 20:08
Song Rating
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Artist
Smokey Robinson
RS500_rank
50
Length
2:55
BPM
97.7
Released Year
1965
Genre Era
Genre
Key
C m
Produced By
Robinson
Released Info
June '65 on Tamla
Chart Weeks
12 weeks
Chart Top
No. 16
Musicbrainz ID
b9c4987e-bc99-1856-350d-35338c1c0516
Song Note

Legend had it that audience members would actually break into tears when Robinson and the Miracles sang "The Tracks of My Tears." "There was just something about it people loved," Moore of the Miracles told ROLLING STONE. "It really tapped into the depth of their emotions." Among those whose emotions it stirred was Pete Townshend, who became obsessed with the way Robinson put across the word substitute in the song ("Although she may be cute/She's just a substitute"). So obsessed, he explained, "that I decided to celebrate the word itself with a song all its own" -- which is how he came to write the Who's 1966 hit "Substitute." Robinson worked on the "The Tracks of My Tears" with Moore and Miracles guitarist Tamplin, and it was such a clear winner, even hard-to-please Motown founder Berry Gordy proclaimed it a masterpiece.

Song Note Source
Rolling Stone 500
Song of Day Date
Written By
Pete Moore, Robinson, Marv Tamplin
Album
Going to a Go-Go (Motown)
Song Status