When Smokey Sings
Encyclopedia
"When Smokey Sings" is the name of a song by the New Wave
band ABC
. The lyrics and name of the song are a tribute to R&B and Soul
singer Smokey Robinson
. It was released in mid-1987, on ABC's album Alphabet City
. Smokey Robinson
himself was on the pop charts with his single "One Heartbeat"
at the same time as this tribute song, marking one of the only times to date that a singer simultaneously was the performing artist of one Top 40 hit, while the subject of another chart hit. For the week ending October 3, 1987, both songs were in the Top 10 simultaneously. In 1964, The Carefrees
hit #39 with We Love You Beatles
during a time when The Beatles
had several hits simultaneously in the Top 40.
"When Smokey Sings" and its B-side, "Chicago" also topped the Hot Dance Club Play
chart. The song reached number 11 on the UK chart and proved to be their second American Top 10 hit, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song.
In the album version, references are made to "Luther", "Sly", "James" and "Marvin" (most likely referring to Luther Vandross
, Sly & the Family Stone
, James Brown
, and Marvin Gaye
respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band ABC
ABC (band)
ABC are an English band, that charted ten UK and five US Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. The band continues to tour and released a new album, Traffic, in 2008.-Formation:...
. The lyrics and name of the song are a tribute to R&B and Soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
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...
. It was released in mid-1987, on ABC's album Alphabet City
Alphabet City (album)
Alphabet City is an album by the band ABC released in 1987.Following a hiatus while Fry was treated for Hodgkin's disease, ABC returned to the studio to record Alphabet City, which they thought might be their final album. Best known for "When Smokey Sings", a tribute to Smokey Robinson, the album...
. 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...
himself was on the pop charts with his single "One Heartbeat"
One Heartbeat (song)
"One Heartbeat" is the title of the second single released by Smokey Robinson from his 1987 album of the same name. The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; at #3 on the R&B chart; and at #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was accompanied by a hugely successful music video filmed...
at the same time as this tribute song, marking one of the only times to date that a singer simultaneously was the performing artist of one Top 40 hit, while the subject of another chart hit. For the week ending October 3, 1987, both songs were in the Top 10 simultaneously. In 1964, The Carefrees
The Carefrees
The Carefrees were a British girl group, most known for their song "We Love You Beatles", a tribute to The Beatles. The song was their only charted single. The session vocalists Lynn Cornell, Barbara Kay and Betty Prescott made up the group...
hit #39 with We Love You Beatles
We Love You Beatles
"We Love You Beatles" is a song by the Carefrees. It was a 1964 novelty record about The Beatles. The song peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the only Beatles novelty record to reach the Top 40...
during a time when The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
had several hits simultaneously in the Top 40.
"When Smokey Sings" and its B-side, "Chicago" also topped the Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
chart. The song reached number 11 on the UK chart and proved to be their second American Top 10 hit, peaking at number 5 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...
. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song.
In the album version, references are made to "Luther", "Sly", "James" and "Marvin" (most likely referring to Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
, James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, and Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.
Chart positions
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
11 |
| U.S. 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... |
5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
2 |
Versions released
- Album version - 4:19
- Single version - 4:21
- Miami Mix - 7:05
- Miami Mix (European single edit) - 5:08
- Bonus Beats - 4:43
- Detroit mix - 6:56