Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American musician Smokey Robinson.
Last updated on November 22, 2024.
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and former record executive director. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. He led the group from its 1955 origins as "the Five Chimes" until 1972, when he announced his retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president. However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. After the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990.
Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential.
In fact, I wouldn't really call this a Gospel album, I call it more an inspirational album.
I left Motown because of the regime of people who were there.
People still look at Michael Jackson as being a Motown artist.
Songwriting is my gift from God.
You know what, I'm probably one of the most blessed people there's ever been, and I thank God for it.
So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it - only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God.
That's because we did not set out to make black music. We set out to make quality music that everyone could enjoy and listen to.
My mother was a churchgoing lady, so I always heard about God at home.
We're very physical creatures, and we worry about how we look sometimes more than our spiritual selves.
When you write a song, a song has longevity.
I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record.
Once you're a Motown artist, you're always a Motown artist.
I played golf all over Detroit.
The only thing you're taking out of here is your spirit and your soul, so we need to be conscious to try and develop that part of ourselves, because we're all spiritual creatures.
Drugs are in every walk of life - doctors, lawyers, preachers, the guy who works for IBM, teenagers on the street, teenagers in school.
I had been stockpiling Gospel songs for other artists, and had planned to submit them to Gospel artists.
One thing I can say about the Motown acts is that we were a family. That's not a myth.
I don't ever balk at being considered a Motown person, because Motown is the greatest musical event that ever happened in the history of music.
As a kid, this is what I wanted my life to be. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever dare to dream that it would be this.
I've been speaking at churches for years, as well as juvenile jails, rehabs and hospitals, and I always talk about my faith. That is a declaration of my relationship with God.
We're all going to be victims of temptation at several points in our lives.
As human beings, we're very materialistic and have all this stuff - furs and cars and diamonds and money.
You know what, life is full of temptations.
When someone picks up one of my songs and records it, I'm a flattered man, it's a blessing to me.
Once you're a Motown artist, that's your stigmatism, and I was there from the very first day.
And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves.
Motown will always be a heavy-duty part of my life because those are my roots.
Originally I was not writing songs for myself.
Had I not come out with an inspirational CD, you perhaps would have never known that I feel like I feel, that all songs, all the music I've ever done is a gift from God.
I really haven't strayed too far, musically, from my roots.
There's so many wonderful gospel people out there, and I don't necessarily want to compete with those people.
There are very few courses around Detroit I haven't played.
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen, try to find one who's gonna give you true loving.
I know what God did for me. I know that He is my way out and my way in. He's my way out of all this havoc and my way into paradise. He suffered for me and for everybody listening. God loves us so much. He tried a lot of things to get our attention. He tried a lot of things to get us back to Him. So He said, "I'll tell you what. I'm going to make it real simple for you. I'm going to send my Son. He's going to take on all your iniquities and all your sins. He's gonna die in your place so you can have everlasting life. All you've got to do is accept that.
I remember my first check that I got for a thousand dollars, and where I grew up, I never thought I'd have a thousand dollars at one time.
The Beatles were huge. And the first thing they said when you interviewed them, 'Oh yeah, we grew up on Motown.'..They were the first white act to admit they grew up listening to black music.
If I just gave you a piece of paper with the lyrics written down on it, it would mean something to you. It would tell you a story.
The one thing about God that's so beautiful is He is omnipotent, and He is the Almighty. But He's not a dictator.
I really haven't strayed too far, musically, from my roots
One thing I can say about the Motown acts is that we were a family. That's not a myth
I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea to wear in your hair.
Once you're a Motown artist, you're always a Motown artist
Before you ask some girl for her hand now, keep your freedom for as long as you can now. My Mama told me, you better shop around.
They don't tell you this in school, Everybody plays the fool.
I'm blessed, because I enjoy every part of my life. I enjoy writing songs. I've been trying to write songs since I was five years old.
There are very few courses around Detroit I haven't played
If you feel like loving me, if you've got the notion, I second that emotion.
She may be cute, but she's just a substitute.
Put your trust in me, let this love be. This is for real, let time stand still.
Songwriting is my gift from God
I don't ever balk at being considered a Motown person, because Motown is the greatest musical event that ever happened in the history of music
Mistakes, I know I've made a few. But I'm only human, you've made mistakes, too.
My uncle Claude was my favorite uncle he was also my godfather. He and I were really, really close. He used to take me to see cowboy movies all the time when I was a little boy because I loved cowboy movies. He got a cowboy name for me, which was Smokey Joe. So from the time I was three years old if people asked me what my name was I didn't tell them my name was William, I told them my name was Smokey Joe.
You know what, life is full of temptations
A taste of honey is worse than none at all.
I love hearing my music, I love hearing it by other people. I hope it will always be played.
With a heart that is truthful, keeping you youthful.