Point It Out
Encyclopedia
"Point It Out" was a 1969 recording by Motown Records
R&B group The Miracles
(AKA "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles") on that label's Tamla subsidiary (Tamla 54189). This mid-tempo song was a national Billboard Top 40 Pop hit,reaching #37 on that chart, and a Top 10 R&B hit was well, reaching #4. It was taken from their album "A Pocket Full Of Miracles
", and was written by Miracles members William "Smokey" Robinson
and Marv Tarplin
, along with Motown staff songwriter Al Cleveland
.
Robinson and Cleveland were the song's producers. It was recorded by the group on September 18, 1969. Point It Out has inspired a cover version by The Supremes
and The Temptations
. As with many Miracles hit tunes, "Point It Out" begins with Miracles member/ co-composer Marv Tarplin's guitar, while Robinson, as the song's narrator, explains the sheer joy of being in a new love relationship with a special lady, one so special that he simply can't think of a reason for not loving her:
Unlike some Miracles songs, where the background vocalists' voices are partially obscured under the music, Miracles Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Pete Moore, and Claudette Rogers Robinson's voices are clearly audible in this song, giving it more of a "group" sound,their tight harmonies adding to the song's overall quality feel, while Robinson's trademark poetry and mastery with wordplay are clearly evident throughout. This song is the closest that The Miracles have come to pure Funk
in any of their records.
The song's "B" side, Darling Dear, was also a hit, reaching #100 on the Billboard Pop chart that same year. It has inspired a cover version by The Jackson Five, who in their career, covered many Miracles tunes, including Who's Loving You , (Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need
, and "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
". Both songs have appeared on several Miracles' "Greatest Hits" CD compilations, including their 35th Anniversary Collection Box Set.
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...
R&B group 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...
(AKA "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles") on that label's Tamla subsidiary (Tamla 54189). This mid-tempo song was a national Billboard Top 40 Pop hit,reaching #37 on that chart, and a Top 10 R&B hit was well, reaching #4. It was taken from their album "A Pocket Full Of Miracles
A Pocket Full of Miracles
A Pocket Full Of Miracles is a 1970 album by Motown Records R&B group The Miracles , issued on its Tamla subsidiary label, one of three albums the group released that year. This album charted at #56 on the Billboard pop albums chart, and reached the top ten of the magazine's R&B albums chart,...
", and was written by Miracles members William "Smokey" Robinson
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...
and 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...
, along with Motown staff songwriter Al Cleveland
Al Cleveland
Al Cleveland is a former American songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most popular co-compositions are 1967's "I Second That Emotion" performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and 1971's "What's Going On" performed by Marvin Gaye.Cleveland was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United...
.
Robinson and Cleveland were the song's producers. It was recorded by the group on September 18, 1969. Point It Out has inspired a cover version by The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
and The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
. As with many Miracles hit tunes, "Point It Out" begins with Miracles member/ co-composer Marv Tarplin's guitar, while Robinson, as the song's narrator, explains the sheer joy of being in a new love relationship with a special lady, one so special that he simply can't think of a reason for not loving her:
- "You're the one that I'm crazy for
- And,every day it seems I love you more and more
- Now,if there's a reason why I shouldn't love you
- The way that I do,with a love that is true
- Somebody Point It Out...
- Point It Out to me".
Unlike some Miracles songs, where the background vocalists' voices are partially obscured under the music, Miracles Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Pete Moore, and Claudette Rogers Robinson's voices are clearly audible in this song, giving it more of a "group" sound,their tight harmonies adding to the song's overall quality feel, while Robinson's trademark poetry and mastery with wordplay are clearly evident throughout. This song is the closest that The Miracles have come to pure Funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
in any of their records.
The song's "B" side, Darling Dear, was also a hit, reaching #100 on the Billboard Pop chart that same year. It has inspired a cover version by The Jackson Five, who in their career, covered many Miracles tunes, including Who's Loving You , (Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need
(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need
" I'm the One You Need" is a 1966 hit single by Motown group The Miracles, released on Motown Records' Tamla label.Unlike most Miracles songs, which were written and produced by the group themselves, "I'm the One You Need" was written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team...
, and "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
"The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" is a 1967 song recorded by American R&B group The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin and produced by Robinson, it is noted for being the first single to bill the group as Smokey Robinson &...
". Both songs have appeared on several Miracles' "Greatest Hits" CD compilations, including their 35th Anniversary Collection Box Set.
Credits: The Miracles
- William "Smokey" RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "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...
- Claudette Robinson
- Warren "Pete" MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
- Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
- Ronnie White
- Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "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...