Tags
Tamla T 54048 (B), September 1961
B-side of Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues
(Written by Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin)
Like another much-loved early Miracles B-side, the twice-recorded (You Can) Depend On Me, this is a fuzzy, dreamy, lushly-arranged ballad-cum-lullaby, drenched in reverberating echo which makes layers of strings, guitars and brushed drums blend together in pleasing fashion.
Smokey is on some of the best vocal form of his life across the two sides of this single, and he outdoes himself here, hitting a series of spectacular high notes with perfection as he croons the listener into a dreamlike trance, but it’s all in the service of an unremarkable song; three minutes of soothing musical wallpaper.
It’s extremely pretty, but once again I’d dispute how much actual song there is going on underneath the reverberating plucked guitars and Smokey’s vocal acrobatics, and (unlike the wonderful A-side Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues) the Miracles can’t match Smokey’s performance, drifting ever so slightly (but noticeably) out of tune on several occasions.
Quite lovely in places, but ultimately inconsequential.
MOTOWN JUNKIES VERDICT
(I’ve had MY say, now it’s your turn. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment, or click the thumbs at the bottom there. Dissent is encouraged!)
You’re reading Motown Junkies, an attempt to review every Motown A- and B-side ever released. Click on the “previous” and “next” buttons below to go back and forth through the catalogue, or visit the Master Index for a full list of reviews so far.
(Or maybe you’re only interested in Smokey Robinson & the Miracles? Click for more.)
 |
 |
| The Miracles “Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues” |
Joel Sebastian “Angel In Blue” |
Motown Junkies 
I just discovered this song… thanks to the ‘Birth of Soul’ bargain. Extremely pretty, indeed! Nothing this pretty is inconsequential! – It took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. You imply that the song lacks an exoskeleton, but it’s simply impossible to hang this much beauty on nothing. (And it’s NOT nothing: it’s his amazement at his good fortune.) A 7 or perhaps an 8 for me, on first hearing. As for the backup singing, yes, you’re right, but who cares? They really don’t start singing satisfyingly in tune until ‘Ooo Baby Baby’ and ‘The Tracks of My Tears…’ but who would do without the songs that come between?
LikeLike
Wow! Smokey smoked this track. (LOL). His singing his phenomenal on “I Can’t Believe.” This the perfect lullaby style song to fall asleep to = ). With that said, I do agree with Steve D.’S 4/10 verdict. This song lacks a strong refrain which makes it very much forgettable.
LikeLike
This is a very pretty ballad, and well-written song. I think giving it a “4” is short-changing it. I’d give it a “6”.
LikeLike
This is nowhere NEAR a “4”.Definitely a strong 7 or 8 : One of the Miracles’ best ballads . and if anything, their slightly off-key delivery ADDS to it’s lush, dreamy effect: It’s entirely possible that Marv’s gorgeous guitar work and Smokey’s voice actually SENDS Bobby , Ronnie, Pete, & Claudette into lush dreamland, while they were SINGING . It certainly did ME !!!
LikeLike