Smokey Robinson is one of the most prolific and influential songwriters in American music history, credited with writing or co-writing over 4,000 songs. As the lead singer, chief songwriter, and producer for The Miracles (later Smokey Robinson & the Miracles), he helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s and 1970s with poetic lyrics, smooth melodies, and emotional depth. He also penned major hits for other Motown acts like The Temptations, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, and The Marvelettes.
Many of his compositions became timeless classics, often blending R&B, pop, and soul. Here are some of his most notable songwriting hits, grouped by category, with key chart highlights (primarily Billboard Hot 100 and R&B positions for the original releases):
Hits for The Miracles / Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
These are songs he wrote (often with co-writers like Pete Moore or Marv Tarplin) and performed:
• “Shop Around” (1960, co-written with Berry Gordy Jr.) — Motown’s first million-seller; #2 Pop, #1 R&B.
• “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1962) — #8 Pop, #1 R&B; famously covered by The Beatles.
• “Ooo Baby Baby” (1965, co-written with Pete Moore) — #16 Pop, #4 R&B.
• “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965, co-written with Pete Moore and Marv Tarplin) — #16 Pop, #2 R&B; widely regarded as one of his lyrical masterpieces.
• “Going to a Go-Go” (1966) — #11 Pop, #2 R&B.
• “I Second That Emotion” (1967, co-written with Al Cleveland) — #4 Pop, #1 R&B.
• “The Tears of a Clown” (1970, co-written with Stevie Wonder and Hank Cosby) — #1 Pop, #1 R&B, #1 UK; the group’s biggest hit.
Solo Hits Written and Performed by Smokey Robinson
After leaving The Miracles in 1972:
• “Cruisin’” (1979, co-written with Marv Tarplin) — #4 Pop, #4 R&B.
• “Being with You” (1981) — #2 Pop, #1 R&B, #1 UK.
• Other notable solo successes include “Just to See Her,” “One Heartbeat,” and “Baby That’s Backatcha” (#1 R&B).
Hits Written for Other Artists
Robinson’s songwriting extended far beyond his own recordings, shaping Motown’s golden era:
• “My Girl” (The Temptations, 1964, co-written with Ronald White) — #1 Pop, #1 R&B; one of the most iconic songs of all time.
• “My Guy” (Mary Wells, 1964) — #1 Pop, #1 R&B.
• “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (The Temptations, 1964, co-written with Bobby Rogers) — #11 Pop, #1 R&B.
• “Get Ready” (The Temptations, 1966; later a hit for Rare Earth) — Strong R&B success.
• “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Marvin Gaye, 1965) — #8 Pop.
• “Don’t Mess with Bill” (The Marvelettes, 1966) — #7 Pop, #3 R&B.
• “Two Lovers” (Mary Wells, 1963) — #7 Pop.
• “I’ll Be Doggone” (Marvin Gaye, 1965).
Covers and revivals extended his reach: Linda Ronstadt took “Ooo Baby Baby” to #7 Pop in 1978; The Captain & Tennille hit #4 with “Shop Around” in 1976; and UB40 charted with “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
Other Notable Contributions
• Songs for The Marvelettes like “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game.”
• Early Miracles tracks like “Bad Girl” (1959) and “Who’s Lovin’ You” (later a hit for The Jackson 5).
• He continued writing into later decades, including contributions to modern tracks.
Robinson’s style often featured clever wordplay, vulnerability (e.g., heartbreak in “Tracks of My Tears”), and romantic themes delivered with falsetto-friendly melodies. His work earned him inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, plus honors like the Gershwin Prize. For a deeper dive, check comprehensive lists on Wikipedia or Motown’s archives, which catalog dozens more charting songs. His catalog remains a cornerstone of soul and pop music.
