Cruisin' (song)
Encyclopedia
"Cruisin'" is a 1979 single written, produced, and recorded by Smokey Robinson
for Motown Records
' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with The Miracles
, "Cruisin'" was a Top 10 Billboard
Pop hit, peaking at number four not only on the Billboard Hot 100
but on the soul chart as well. The song was co-written by fellow Miracle Marv Tarplin
. "Cruisin'" was an even bigger hit in New Zealand, reaching No. 1 on that country's chart. It is included on Robinson's ninth studio album, Where There's Smoke...
.
musician D'Angelo
recorded a cover of the song for his 1995 album Brown Sugar.
and Huey Lewis
performed a cover of the song in the 2000 film Duets
. The song is included on the soundtrack of the film. The duet spent one week at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
covered this song from the album "Foreward." 3 years later, the late bassist Wayman Tisdale
also covered the song off the album "Hangtime."
In 2011, former Jackson 5
member Tito Jackson
recorded a cover of the song. The release date of the cover has yet to be announced.
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
, "Cruisin'" was a Top 10 Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Pop hit, peaking at number four not only on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
but on the soul chart as well. The song was co-written by fellow Miracle Marv Tarplin
Marv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
. "Cruisin'" was an even bigger hit in New Zealand, reaching No. 1 on that country's chart. It is included on Robinson's ninth studio album, Where There's Smoke...
Where There's Smoke...
-Track listing:All tracks composed by Smokey Robinson; except where indicated#"It's a Good Night" 5:46#"I Love The Nearness of You" 4:30#"Hurt's On You" 4:16...
.
Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | 4 |
D'Angelo version
Neo soulNeo soul
The term neo soul was originally coined by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s as a marketing category following the commercial breakthroughs of artists such as D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell...
musician D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
recorded a cover of the song for his 1995 album Brown Sugar.
Charts
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 53 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | 10 |
Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis version
Gwyneth PaltrowGwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
and Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis is an American musician, songwriter and occasional actor.Lewis sings lead and plays harmonica for his band Huey Lewis and the News, in addition to writing or co-writing many of the band's songs...
performed a cover of the song in the 2000 film Duets
Duets
An original motion picture soundtrack CD was released on September 12, 2000 by Hollywood Records. The CD contained twelve tracks including the original music composed for the film by David Newman....
. The song is included on the soundtrack of the film. The duet spent one week at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Charts
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Charts | 1 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Charts | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 9 |
Other covers
In 2001, saxophonist JaaredJaared
Jaared is a Washington, DC-based contemporary jazz saxophonist.In 2002 he was nominated the Best New Artist of the Year for 2002 by The National Smooth Jazz Association...
covered this song from the album "Foreward." 3 years later, the late bassist Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early life:Tisdale was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
also covered the song off the album "Hangtime."
In 2011, former Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
member Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
recorded a cover of the song. The release date of the cover has yet to be announced.