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Smokey Robinson
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| William 'Smokey' Robinson has been one of the architects of the Motown sound from the very beginning. Indeed, before the now-legendary Detroit record company was even founded, Berry Gordy was producing Smokey & The Miracles and leasing their masters to independent labels in New York and Chicago.
In addition to his superb and individual singing style, Smokey is one of the finest songwriters of the past four decades, creating an awesome supply of outstanding love ballads. Not only did he front The Miracles and co-write most of their milestone hits but he also successfully wrote and produced various other Motown artists including The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes and Mary Wells.
We invite you to check out, not just the original hit recordings, but some of the great revival versions of Smokey's songs that have been released over the years such as GOING TO A GO-GO by The Rolling Stones (a hit in 1982), MY GIRL by the late Otis Redding from '65, Mickey Gilley's great country take on YOU'VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME from '84, Linda Ronstadt making OOH BABY BABY all her own in '79, Aretha Franklin turning her magic on in her version of THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS in '69 and the UB40 remake of THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO from 1991.
Great songs live on and on and in Smokey's case, they even get better!
Following is a list of Smokey songs which have charted over the years. The great majority are, of course, Jobete copyrights, along with some later titles which also fall under the EMI Music Publishing banner. (He is officially credited as William Robinson on his songs, hence the 'WR' initials listed throughout this checklist.)
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTACY (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1975) #7 R&B, #36 Pop
AIN'T IT BABY (WR/Berry Gordy)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1961) #15 R&B; #49 Pop
AIN'T THAT PECULIAR
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Marv Tarplin)
by Marvin Gaye (Tamla: 1965) #1 R&B, #8 Pop
by George Tindley (Wand: 1969) #35 R&B
by Fanny (Reprise: 1972) #85 Pop
by Diamond Reo (Big Tree: 1975) #44 Pop
by Stevie Woods (Cotillion: 1984) #54 R&B
by New Grass Revival (EMI America: 1986) #53 Country
Other versions include: George Benson Quartet (Columbia), Booker T. & The MG's (Stax), The Contours (Gordy), The Delfonics (Philly Groove), Jose Feliciano (RCA), The Jackson 5 (Motown), Japan (Caroline), Quincy Jones (Mercury), Ramsey Lewis (Cadet), Zoot Money's Big Roll Band (Indigo), Rufus & Chaka Khan (Warner Bros.), Southside Johnny (Cypress), Delroy Wilson (Trojan)
AND I DON'T LOVE YOU (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1984) #33 R&B
AS LONG AS I KNOW HE'S MINE (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1963) #47 R&B, #47 Pop
AUTOMATICALLY SUNSHINE (WR)
by The Supremes (Motown: 1972) #21 R&B, #37 Pop, #17 AC
BABY BABY DON'T CRY (WR/Al Cleveland/Terry Johnson)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1969) #3 R&B, #8 Pop
BABY COME CLOSE (WR/Marv Tarplin/Pamela Moffett-Young)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1974) #7 R&B, #27 Pop
BABY THAT'S BACKATCHA (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1975) #1 R&B, #26 Pop
BEING WITH YOU (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1981) #1 R&B, #2 Pop, #4 AC, UK #1
CHOOSEY BEGGAR (WR/Warren Moore)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1966) #35 R&B
COME ON DO THE JERK
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Ronald White)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1965) #50 R&B, #50 Pop
THE COMPOSER (WR)
by Diana Ross & The Supremes (Motown: 1969) #21 R&B, #27 Pop
Other versions include: The Miracles (Tamla)
CRAZY ABOUT THE LA LA LA (WR)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1971)
#20 R&B, #56 Pop
CRUISIN' (WR/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1979) #4 R&B, #4 Pop, #34 AC
by D'Angelo (EMI: 1995) #10 R&B
DAYLIGHT AND DARKNESS (WR/Rose Ella Jones)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1978) #9 R&B, #75 Pop
DOGGONE RIGHT (WR/Al Cleveland/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1969)
#7 R&B, #32 Pop
DON'T LOOK BACK (WR/Ronald White)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #15 R&B
by Teena Marie (Gordy: 1979) #91 R&B
Other versions include: Al Green & Curtis Stigers (MCA), The Persuasions (Enigma), Bettye Swann (Money), Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger (EMI)
DON'T MESS WITH BILL (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1966) #3 R&B, #7 Pop
DOUBLE GOOD EVERYTHING (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (SBK: 1991) #23 R&B
EVERYBODY'S GOTTA PAY SOME DUES (WR/Ronald White)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1961) #11 R&B, #52 Pop
FIRST I LOOK AT THE PURSE (WR/Robert Rogers)
by The Contours (Gordy: 1965) #12 R&B, #57 Pop
Other recordings include: The J.Geils Band (Atlantic), Nashville Pussy (PolyGram); Rod Stewart (Riva)
FLOY JOY (WR)
by The Supremes (Motown: 1972) #5 R&B, #16 Pop, #33 AC
A FORK IN THE ROAD (WR/Warren Moore/Ronald White)
by Rebbie Jackson (Columbia: 1985) #40 R&B
FROM HEAD TO TOE (WR)
by Elvis Costello (F-Beat: 1982) UK #43
Other recordings include: Chris Clark (Motown), The Miracles (Tamla)
GET READY (WR)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1966) #1 R&B, #29 Pop
by Rare Earth (Rare Earth: 1970) #20 R&B, #4 Pop
by King Curtis & The Kingpins (Atco: 1970) #46 R&B
by Syl Johnson (Twinight: 1971) #34 R&B
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1979) #82 R&B
Other versions include: Booker T. & The MG's (Stax), Ella Fitzgerald (Reprise), Hall & Oates (RCA), Diana Ross & The Supremes (Motown), Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers (Motor City)
GOING TO A GO-GO
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Marv Tarplin)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1966) #2 R&B, #11 Pop
by The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stone: 1982) #25 Pop
by New Situation (Copper Sun: 1989) #92 R&B
Other versions include: Gregory Isaacs (Shanachie), Shalamar (Solar)
HE'S A GOOD GUY (YES HE IS) (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1964) #55 R&B, #55 Pop
HEAVY ON PRIDE (LIGHT ON LOVE) (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1980) #34 R&B
HERE I AM BABY (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1968) #14 R&B, #44 Pop
HERE I GO AGAIN (WR/Al Cleveland/Warren Moore)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1969)
#15 R&B, #37 Pop
by Oran 'Juice' Jones (Def Jam: 1987) #45 R&B
HOLD ON TO YOUR LOVE (WR/Stevie Wonder)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1986) #11 R&B
THE HUNTER GETS CAPTURED BY THE GAME (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1967) #2 R&B, #13 Pop
by Grace Jones (Island: 1980) #87 R&B
Other versions include: Blinky (Motown), Blondie (Chrysalis), Ella Fitzgerald (Reprise), Jerry Garcia (Arista), The Miracles (Tamla)
I AM I AM (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1975) #6 R&B, #56 Pop
I CAN'T FIND (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1984) #41 R&B
I DON'T BLAME YOU AT ALL (WR)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1971)
#7 R&B, #18 Pop
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE (WR/Berry Gordy)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1961) #9 R&B; #33 Pop
I LIKE IT LIKE THAT (WR/Marv Tarplin)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1964) #27 R&B, #27 Pop
I LOVE YOUR FACE (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (SBK: 1992) #57 R&B
I SECOND THAT EMOTION (WR/Al Cleveland)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1967) #1 R&B, #4 Pop
by Thelma Jones (Columbia: 1978) #74 R&B
by 10db (Crush Music: 1989) #18 R&B
Other recordings include: Jose Feliciano (Motown), Japan (Ariola), Manhattan Transfer with Smokey Robinson (Atlantic), Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (Motown), Merl Saunders, John Kahn, Jerry Garcia & Bill Vitt (Fantasy), Run C&W (Universal), Tammy Wynette (Epic)
I'LL BE DOGGONE (WR/Warren Moore/Marv Tarplin)
by Marvin Gaye (Tamla: 1965) #1 R&B, #8 Pop
Other versions include: Willie Mitchell (Hi)
I'LL BE IN TROUBLE (WR)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1964) #33 R&B, #33 Pop
I'LL TRY SOMETHING NEW (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1962) #11 R&B, #39 Pop
by Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (Motown: 1969)
#8 R&B, #25 Pop
by Taste Of Honey (Capitol: 1982) #9 R&B, #41 Pop, #29 AC
Other versions include: Hank Ballard & The Midnighters (Charly)
I'VE MADE LOVE TO YOU A THOUSAND TIMES (WR/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1983) #8 R&B
IF YOU CAN WANT (WR)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1968)
#3 R&B, #11 Pop
IT'S GROWING (WR/Warren Moore)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #3 R&B, #18 Pop
Other versions include: Otis Redding (Volt)
IT'S HER TURN TO LIVE (WR/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1974) #29 R&B
LAUGHING BOY (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1963) #6 R&B, #15 Pop
LET ME BE THE CLOCK (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1980) #4 R&B, #31 Pop
LOVE DON'T GIVE NO REASON (WR/Stephen Tavani)
by Smokey Robinson (Motown: 1988) #31 R&B
THE LOVE I SAW IN YOU WAS JUST A MIRAGE (WR/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1967)
#10 R&B, #20 Pop
Other versions include: The Jackson 5 (Motown)
THE LOVE SHE CAN COUNT ON (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1963) #21 R&B, #31 Pop
MALINDA (WR/Al Cleveland/Terry Johnson)
by Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers (Gordy: 1968) #16 R&B, #48 Pop
MIGHTY GOOD LOVIN' (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1961) #21 R&B, #51 Pop
Other versions include: Edwin Starr (Gordy)
MORE LOVE (WR)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1967)
#5 R&B, #23 Pop
by Kim Carnes (EMI America: 1980) #10 Pop, #6 AC
Other versions include: Mica Paris (Island)
MORE ON THE INSIDE (WR)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1982) #82 R&B
MY BABY (WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #4 R&B, #13 Pop
MY BABY MUST BE A MAGICIAN (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1968) #8 R&B, #17 Pop
MY GIRL (WR/Ronald White)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #1 R&B, #1 Pop, UK #43
by Otis Redding (Atlantic: 1965) UK #11
by Bobby Vee (in a medley with Goffin & King's HEY GIRL)
(Liberty: 1968) #35 Pop
by Otis Redding (Atlantic: 1968 re-issue) UK #36
by Eddie Floyd (Stax: 1970) #43 R&B
by Amii Stewart & Johnny Bristol (in a medley with MY GUY)
(Handshake: 1980) #76 R&B
by Savannah (Mercury: 1984) #73 Country
by Daryl Hall & John Oates w/David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick
(in a medley with THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO)
(RCA: 1985) #40 R&B, #20 Pop, #12 AC
by Suave (Capitol: 1988) #3 R&B, #20 Pop
by The Temptations+ (Epic Soundtrax: 1992) #27 AC, UK #2
Other versions include: Alabama (RCA) Elvin Bishop (Capricorn), Glen Campbell (Capitol), Marvin Gaye (Motown), Al Green (Hi), Michael Jackson (Motown), The Mamas & The Papas (Dunhill), Barry Manilow (Arista), The Miracles (Tamla), Willie Mitchell (Hi), Dolly Parton*(RCA), The Rolling Stones (London), Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (Motown), Lillo Thomas (Capitol), The Whispers (RCA), Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
MY GIRL HAS GONE
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Marv Tarplin)
by The Miracles (1965) #3 R&B, #14 Pop
MY GUY (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1964) #1 R&B, #1 Pop
by Lynda K.Lance (Royal American: 1971) #46 Country
by Petula Clark (MGM: 1972) #12 AC, #70 Pop
by Amii Stewart & Johnny Bristol (in a medley with MY GIRL)
(Handshake: 1980) #76 R&B
by Margo Smith (Warner Bros: 1980) #43 Country
by Sister Sledge (Cotillion: 1982) #14 R&B, #23 Pop, #2 AC
Other versions include: The Supremes (Motown)
MY SMILE IS JUST A FROWN (TURNED UPSIDE DOWN)
(WR/William Stevenson)
by Carolyn Crawford (Motown: 1965) #39 R&B
Other versions include: The Temptations (Motown)
ONE MORE HEARTACHE
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Marv Tarplin/Ronald White)
by Marvin Gaye (Tamla: 1966) #4 R&B, #29 Pop
Other versions include: Cliff Bennett (Parlophone), The Butterfield Blues Band (Elektra)
THE ONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1962) #2 R&B, #8 Pop
OOH BABY BABY (WR/Warren Moore)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1965) #4 R&B, #16 Pop
by The Five Stairsteps (Windy C: 1967) #34 R&B, #63 Pop
by Shalamar (Soul Train: 1977) #59 R&B
by Linda Ronstadt (Asylum: 1979)
#7 Pop, #77 R&B, #85 Country, #2 AC
by Romeo (Triple: 1987) #67 R&B
by Zapp (Reprise: 1989) #18 R&B
Other versions include: Ella Fitzgerald (Reprise), Full Force(Columbia), Hugh Masekela (RCA), Claudette Robinson (Motor City), Ruby Turner (Jive)
OPEN (WR/Marv Tarplin/Pamela Moffett-Young)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1976) #10 R&B
OPERATOR (WR)
by Brenda Holloway (Tamla: 1965) #36 R&B, #78 Pop
Other versions include: Mary Wells (Motown)
POINT IT OUT (WR/Al Cleveland/Marv Tarplin)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1970)
#4 R&B, #37 Pop
QUIET STORM (WR/Rose Jones)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1976) #25 R&B, #61 Pop
REWIND (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (SBK: 1992) #56 R&B
SATISFACTION (WR)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1972)
#20 R&B, #49 Pop
SHOE SOUL (WR/Brenda Sutton/Michael Sutton)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1978) #68 R&B
SHOP AROUND (WR/Berry Gordy)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1961) #1 R&B; #2 Pop
by The Captain & Tennille (A&M: 1976) #4 Pop, #1 AC
Other versions include: Georgie Fame (PolyGram), Billy Griffin (Motor City), The Re-Bops (Rebop), Mary Wells (Motown)
SINCE I LOST MY BABY (WR/Warren Moore)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #4 R&B, #17 Pop
by Luther Vandross (Epic: 1983) #17 R&B
SPECIAL OCCASION (WR/Al Cleveland)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1968)
#4 R&B, #26 Pop
STILL WATER (LOVE) (WR)
by The Four Tops (Motown: 1970) #4 R&B, #11 Pop
by O'Bryan (Capitol: 1982) #23 R&B
SWEET HARMONY (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1973) #31 R&B, #48 Pop
TAKE THIS HEART OF MINE (WR/Warren Moore/Marv Tarplin)
by Marvin Gaye (Tamla: 1966) #16 R&B, #44 Pop
TEARS OF A CLOWN (WR/Henry Cosby/Stevie Wonder)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1970) #1 R&B, #1 Pop
by The Beat (released in the US as The English Beat)
(2 Tone: 1979) UK #6
Other versions include: The Flying Pickets (Virgin), The Monitors (Motor City)
THAT DAY WHEN SHE NEEDED ME (WR)
by The Contours (Gordy: 1965) #37 R&B
THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS MADE OF
(WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1964) #35 R&B, #35 Pop
TOUCH THE SKY (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1983) #68 R&B
THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS (WR/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1965) #2 R&B, #16 Pop
by Johnny Rivers (Imperial: 1967) #10 Pop
by Aretha Franklin (Atlantic: 1969) #21 R&B, #71 Pop
by Linda Ronstadt (Asylum: 1976) #11 Country, #25 Pop, #4 AC
Other versions include: Colin Blunstone (PRT), The California Raisins (Priority), The Contours (Motor City), Bryan Ferry (Reprise), Go West (Capitol), The Jackson 5 (Brunswick), Gladys Knight & The Pips (Soul), The Pharaohs (Luv N'Haight), Dianne Reeves (Blue Note)
TWO LOVERS (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1963) #1 R&B, #7 Pop
Other versions include: Dolly Parton (RCA)
VIRGIN MAN (WR/Rose Jones)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1974) #12 R&B, #56 Pop
THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO (WR/Robert Rogers)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1964) #11 R&B, #11 Pop
by Rita Coolidge (A&M: 1978) #20 Pop, #9 AC
by Daryl Hall & John Oates w/David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick
(in a medley with MY GIRL) (RCA: 1985)
#40 R&B, #20 Pop, #12 AC
by UB40 (Virgin: 1990) #6 Pop, #21 AC (DEP International: 1991) UK #49
Other versions include: Betty Everett & Jerry Butler (Vee-Jay), Tom Jones (London), Randy Klein (Slider), Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (Motown), The Underdogs (Motown)
WHAT'S EASY FOR TWO IS SO HARD FOR ONE (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1963) #8 R&B, #29 Pop
WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT GOODBY (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1962) #16 R&B, #35 Pop
WHAT'S TOO MUCH (WR/Lonnie Kirtz/Ivory Stone/Homer Talbert)
by Smokey Robinson (Motown: 1987) #16 R&B, #79 Pop
WHEN I'M GONE (WR)
by Brenda Holloway (Tamla: 1965) #12 R&B, #25 Pop
WHO'S LOVIN' YOU (WR)
by Brenda & The Tabulations (Dionn: 1967) #19 R&B, #66 Pop
by The Jackson 5 (Motown: 1992) #48 R&B
Other versions include: Ken Boothe (Trojan), Terence Trent D'Arby (Columbia), The Miracles (Tamla)
WHO'S THE FOOL (WR/Berry Gordy)
by Singin' Sammy Ward (Tamla/Globes: 1961) #23 R&B
WHY YOU WANNA SEE MY BAD SIDE (WR/James Bradford)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1978) #52 R&B
YESTER LOVE (WR/Al Cleveland)
by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Tamla: 1968)
#9 R&B, #31 Pop
YOU ARE FOREVER (WR)
by Smokey Robinson (Tamla: 1981) #31 R&B, #59 Pop
YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH (WR/Ronald White)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1962) #1 R&B, #9 Pop
Other versions include: Edwin Starr (Gordy), The Temptations (Gordy)
(YOU CAN'T LET THE BOY OVERPOWER) THE MAN IN YOU (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1964) #59 R&B, #59 Pop
Other versions include: Chuck Jackson (Motown)
YOU'RE MY REMEDY (WR)
by The Marvelettes (Tamla: 1964) #48 R&B
YOU'VE GOT TO EARN IT (WR)
by The Temptations (Gordy: 1965) #22 R&B
by The Staple Singers (Stax: 1971) #11 R&B
YOU'VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME (WR)
by The Miracles (Tamla: 1963) #1 R&B, #8 Pop
by Eddie Money (Columbia: 1979) #72 Pop
by Mickey Gilley (Epic: 1984) #2 Country
Other versions include: The Beatles (Capitol), Bonnie Bramlett (Capricorn), The Jackson 5 (Motown), Gayle McCormick (Dunhill), Bobby McFerrin (Elektra), Mike & The Mechanics (Atlantic), Laura Nyro (Sony), Small Faces (A&M); Sonny & Cher (Atco), The Temptations (Gordy)
YOUR OLD STAND BY (WR)
by Mary Wells (Motown: 1963) #8 R&B, #40 Pop
YOUR WONDERFUL, SWEET SWEET LOVE (WR)
by The Supremes (Motown: 1972) #22 R&B, #59 Pop
+The 1991 re-issue of the original Temptations' version of MY GIRL which subsequently charted here and in Britain was timed to coincide with the opening of the Dan Aykroyd/Jamie Lee Curtis Columbia movie of the same name which prominently featured the song.
*Dolly Parton recorded MY GIRL as MY LOVE.
Of the co-writers listed above, the following were also members of The Miracles: Robert 'Bobby' Rogers (tenor), Warren 'Pete' Moore (bass), and the late Ronald 'Ronnie' White. Other co-writers included guitarist Marv Tarplin, as well as Motown staff writer Al Cleveland, who went on to co-author WHAT'S GOING ON with Marvin Gaye and Renaldo Benson.
Biography courtesy of Alan Warner |
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| Get Ready |
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| My Girl |
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| My Guy |
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| Ooo Baby Baby |
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| The Tears Of A Clown |
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| The Tracks Of My Tears |
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| The Way You Do The Things You Do |
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| You've Really Got A Hold On Me |
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