We've Come Too Far to End It Now
Encyclopedia
We've Come Too Far to End It Now was a 1972 single by Motown Records
R&B group The Miracles
(AKA "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles") on its Tamla Label subsidiary,(T54220F) and taken from their album, "Flying High Together
", the group's final studio album with original lead singer Smokey Robinson
.This song charted at #46 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and reached the Top 10 of its R&B chart, peaking at # 9.
Written by Motown staff songwriter Johnny Bristol
, along with writers David H. Jones, and Wade Brown,http://www.top40db.net/Lyrics/?SongID=72418 and arranged by legendary writer/producer H. B. Barnum
, this song was conceived as the Miracles "swan song" with Robinson ,who left the group shortly thereafter (even though the group actually had one more single release with Robinson from that same LP, I Can't Stand To See You Cry, this song was the group's way of saying goodbye to the Smokey Robinson era, and Smokey's way of saying goodbye to the group's fans, and to his friends and singing partners in The Miracles, Bobby Rogers
, Pete Moore
, and Ronnie White).(Motown singer/songwriter Johnny Bristol also co-wrote The Supremes
'final hit with Diana Ross
, "Someday We'll Be Together
"). After singing in the group from 1955 until 1972, Smokey decided to retire from the group to spend more time with his family, and to concentrate on his duties as Vice President of the Motown Record Corporation.
Smokey's wife, Miracles member Claudette Robinson, left the group when her husband did. Despite having retired from live performances 8 years prior,(in 1964),Claudette continued recording with the group in the studio, finally retiring in 1972 to raise the couple's 2 children, Berry and Tamla, and concentrate on being a stay at home wife and mom. Miracle Marv Tarplin
stayed with the group an additional year, then decided to leave the Miracles to work with Smokey, writing songs , and eventually touring with him, once Robinson decided to do limited touring as a solo artist.
Like the Miracles' 1965 hit, Ooo Baby Baby
, We've Come Too Far told the story of a troubled long-time relationship between a couple nearing a breakup,with Smokey, as the song's narrator, apologizing to his wife for his wrongs, with the hopes of saving the relationship:
In the 2006 Motown DVD, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963–1987), Miracles bass singer and vocal arranger Pete Moore replied , when asked about Smokey's decision to depart the group, said it made him "very sad, because we had been together for so long , since we were kids,and had done so many wonderful things in the music industry up to that point... and obviously,we didn't want to see Smokey leave... because we loved him,and he loved us...so it took us a while... for that idea to sink in...but once it did...we had to seek a replacement..."
The song's title,"We've Come Too Far Too End It Now" actually has a double meaning, in that, in addition to being the song's theme, it actually also referred to The Miracles themselves. Yet, in 1972,after over 15 years together,that is exactly what they did.(The Miracles would, of course, continue, but with new lead singer Billy Griffin
).
This song has spawned a cover version by The Escorts and has appeared in several Miracles "greatest hits" CD compilations.It was also performed by The Miracles live on their final live album with Smokey, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957-1972
.The song's "B" side, When Sundown Comes, was actually earmarked as an "A" side release,(Tamla 54211), but was cancelled in favor of the song "Satisfaction" *
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 its Tamla Label subsidiary,(T54220F) and taken from their album, "Flying High Together
Flying High Together
Flying High Together was a 1972 album by The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. It is noted as The Miracles' last studio album with original lead singer Smokey Robinson, who retired from the act to concentrate on his duties as Vice President of The Motown Record Corporation...
", the group's final studio album with original lead singer 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...
.This song charted at #46 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and reached the Top 10 of its R&B chart, peaking at # 9.
Written by Motown staff songwriter Johnny Bristol
Johnny Bristol
Johnny Bristol , was an American musician, most famous as a songwriter and record producer for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
, along with writers David H. Jones, and Wade Brown,http://www.top40db.net/Lyrics/?SongID=72418 and arranged by legendary writer/producer H. B. Barnum
H. B. Barnum
H. B. Barnum is an American pianist, arranger, record producer, songwriter, and former child actor....
, this song was conceived as the Miracles "swan song" with Robinson ,who left the group shortly thereafter (even though the group actually had one more single release with Robinson from that same LP, I Can't Stand To See You Cry, this song was the group's way of saying goodbye to the Smokey Robinson era, and Smokey's way of saying goodbye to the group's fans, and to his friends and singing partners in The Miracles, Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby 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...
, Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete 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...
, and Ronnie White).(Motown singer/songwriter Johnny Bristol also co-wrote 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...
'final hit with Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, "Someday We'll Be Together
Someday We'll Be Together
"Someday We'll Be Together" is a song made popular as the last of twelve number-one singles for Diana Ross & the Supremes on the Motown label. It is the final Supremes song featuring Diana Ross, who left the group for a solo career in January 1970...
"). After singing in the group from 1955 until 1972, Smokey decided to retire from the group to spend more time with his family, and to concentrate on his duties as Vice President of the Motown Record Corporation.
Smokey's wife, Miracles member Claudette Robinson, left the group when her husband did. Despite having retired from live performances 8 years prior,(in 1964),Claudette continued recording with the group in the studio, finally retiring in 1972 to raise the couple's 2 children, Berry and Tamla, and concentrate on being a stay at home wife and mom. 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...
stayed with the group an additional year, then decided to leave the Miracles to work with Smokey, writing songs , and eventually touring with him, once Robinson decided to do limited touring as a solo artist.
Like the Miracles' 1965 hit, Ooo Baby Baby
Ooo Baby Baby
"Ooo Baby Baby" is a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label, today considered the group's signature song. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #262 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
, We've Come Too Far told the story of a troubled long-time relationship between a couple nearing a breakup,with Smokey, as the song's narrator, apologizing to his wife for his wrongs, with the hopes of saving the relationship:
- Last Night....we had an argument...
- Oh but baby...the thing's I said I never meant...
- I'm so sorry,that I broke your tender heart....
- Cause We've come too far to end it now.
In the 2006 Motown DVD, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963–1987), Miracles bass singer and vocal arranger Pete Moore replied , when asked about Smokey's decision to depart the group, said it made him "very sad, because we had been together for so long , since we were kids,and had done so many wonderful things in the music industry up to that point... and obviously,we didn't want to see Smokey leave... because we loved him,and he loved us...so it took us a while... for that idea to sink in...but once it did...we had to seek a replacement..."
The song's title,"We've Come Too Far Too End It Now" actually has a double meaning, in that, in addition to being the song's theme, it actually also referred to The Miracles themselves. Yet, in 1972,after over 15 years together,that is exactly what they did.(The Miracles would, of course, continue, but with new lead singer Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
).
This song has spawned a cover version by The Escorts and has appeared in several Miracles "greatest hits" CD compilations.It was also performed by The Miracles live on their final live album with Smokey, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957-1972
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957-1972
1957-1972 is a 1972 double- album by The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. This two-record set is noted as the group's final series of live concerts with original lead singer Smokey Robinson, recorded over a period of three days, July 14–16, during the 1972 National Parks Centennial, at the...
.The song's "B" side, When Sundown Comes, was actually earmarked as an "A" side release,(Tamla 54211), but was cancelled in favor of the song "Satisfaction" *
Credits: The Miracles
- 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...
- 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...
- Claudette Robinson
- Ronnie White
- 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...
- 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...
External links
- *Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The 35th Anniversary Collection, Pg 62