Peak
5
Weeks
19
Score
2,876
Chart Year
1987
This song is a tribute to the American singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson. ABC is a British band, and while Robinson and his group The Miracles fared far better in America, his talents were certainly appreciated by many in the UK, especially musicians. The song alludes to how Robinson could capture a range of emotions in his songs, from devotion to heartbreak. No matter what he's singing about, however, when Smokey sings you forget about your problems. ABC were a new romantic group who enjoyed six UK and four US Top 20 singles. "When Smokey Sings" was their last Top 20 single in both territories. ABC chose their name because "The first three letters of the alphabet are known the world over." This song was a hit just as Smokey Robinson was enjoying a career resurgence. The week it peaked at #5 in the US (September 19, 1987), Smokey's "One Heartbeat" was at #17. A few months earlier, Robinson reached #8 with "Just To See Her." We found an issue of the British music magazine Melody Maker from 1972 that appears to be an influence on this song. Critiquing the Smokey Robinson & the Miracles song "I Don't Blame You At All," it states: "The words themselves are flat and clichéd. But when Smokey sings them in that high, ululating countertenor, he invests them with a tortured, feverish agony without equal in pop."
Debonair lullabies in melodies revealed In deep despair on lonely nights He knows just how you feel The slyest rhymes - the sharpest suits In miracles made real Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night You know you're right just to hold her tight He soothes it right ,makes it outta sight And everything's good in the world tonight! When Smokey sings, I hear violins When Smokey sings, I forget everything As she's packing her things As she's spreading her wings The front door might slam But the back door it rings And Smokey sings...he sings Elegance in eloquence, for sale or rent or hire Should I say, yes I match his best Then I would be a liar Symphonies that soothe the rage When lovers' hearts catch fire Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night You know you're right just to hold her tight He soothes it right - makes it outta sight And everything's good in the world tonight! When Smokey sings, I hear violins When Smokey sings, I forget everything As she's packing her things As she's spreading her wings Smashing the hell With the heaven she brings Then Smokey sings...he sings Luther croons Sly's the original originator James screams Marvin was the only innovator But nothing can compare Nothing can compare When Smokey sings When Smokey sings, I hear violins When Smokey sings, I forget everything As she's packing her things As she's spreading her wings She threw back the ring When Smokey sings... Smokey sings... Smokey sings...
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 4, 1987 | 86 | 40 |
| 2 | Jul 11, 1987 | 70 | 56 |
| 3 | Jul 18, 1987 | 57 | 69 |
| 4 | Jul 25, 1987 | 46 | 80 |
| 5 | Aug 1, 1987 | 39 | 87 |
| 6 | Aug 8, 1987 | 29 | 97 |
| 7 | Aug 15, 1987 | 24 | 102 |
| 8 | Aug 22, 1987 | 18 | 108 |
| 9 | Aug 29, 1987 | 16 | 110 |
| 10 | Sep 5, 1987 | 11 | 115 |
| 11 | Sep 12, 1987 | 8 | 118 |
| 12 | Sep 19, 1987 | 5 | 121 |
| 13 | Sep 26, 1987 | 6 | 120 |
| 14 | Oct 3, 1987 | 8 | 118 |
| 15 | Oct 10, 1987 | 20 | 106 |
| 16 | Oct 17, 1987 | 33 | 93 |
| 17 | Oct 24, 1987 | 55 | 71 |
| 18 | Oct 31, 1987 | 67 | 59 |
| 19 | Nov 7, 1987 | 96 | 30 |