Tags
Tamla T 54084 (B), UNRELEASED
Promos with cat # EX009 issued November 1963
B-side of The Christmas Song
(Written by Smokey Robinson)
If it seemed a bit strange to be writing about The Christmas Song when it wasn’t actually Christmas, well, that turns out not to be a problem with Christmas Everyday – because that’s the theme of this B-side, which isn’t actually a Christmas record in any real sense (despite the title and its inclusion as the only original number on the Miracles’ seasonal LP Christmas With The Miracles).
Effectively, this has almost nothing to do with Christmas at all; it’s a love song written by Smokey Robinson back in the summer of 1962, and feels very much shoehorned in to the tracklisting of Christmas With The Miracles where it rubs shoulders with a crateful of competent covers of songs like Let It Snow and O Holy Night. The tenuous Yuletide connection comes from the song’s central theme: if you fall in love with me, then for me every day would feel like Christmas.
That’s it; a simple lyrical conceit, pressed home in slightly plodding fashion and stretched almost uncomfortably thin in places, poor scansion and unimaginatively obvious choices leaving the song’s skeleton badly exposed – and the skeleton in question turns out to be that of a jaunty, throwaway mid-’62 Miracles B-side, nice enough but nothing spectacular.
What saves it is a combination of great vocals – the Miracles’ harmonies are again enchanting, especially in the genuinely catchy chorus (All mine, all mine), but Smokey’s on particularly fine form here, his audible smile in full effect, and he turns in a warmly winning performance, such that you want him to get the girl, right from the start – and some ripping, unexpectedly rough-edged sax. It’s eminently listenable, very likeable, and a better record than a song.
It’s often referred to, mistakenly, as the proposed A-side for this cancelled single release, and from there some sources have dubbed it a “great lost Miracles single”, conferring an aura of mystique upon this record which it doesn’t really deserve. I can’t agree with that “great lost single” assessment, but that being said, even if it’s not a great record, even among the rest of the Miracles’ output in 1963, it’s charming, bouncy and joyful, and I still (whisper it, blasphemer!) actually prefer it to Mickey’s Monkey.
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.
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Thank you. 🙂
I can live with a ‘6’ just fine. From the crisp drum whacks that start it to Smokey’s last every day-haaay, this chipper song is a smile-producer, in-season and out. And now that you mention it, it probably is a stronger record than “Mickey’s Monkey.” Smokey talking about love going right or love gone wrong makes a record that is never time-worn. Not as reliably the case when any record is talking about dancing.
But of course, this Miracles record stands in line behind the soaring poetry of “Something New,” “Would I Love You,” “Tracks,” “Dues,” “Fork In The Road,” “Mirage,” “Choosey Beggar,” “Save Me,” and plenty of others. Funny how even lower-tier Robinson writing remains consistently entertaining.
1964 can’t come soon enough. During these weeks you’re talking about now, Dale & Gracie’s “I’m Leaving It Up To You” had the dubious luck of moving into the No. 1 Billboard spot the weekend Kennedy was shot, and after four weeks (!) of the Singing Nuns’ “Dominique,” came another sappy Bobby Vinton record. Rock and roll needed saviors to put its ownership back in the hands of the young, and they were on their way from England with a big, big assist by a black company in Detroit, about to find the identity-establishing hits for three different stellar groups of their own.
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Much more likable than the A-side. I’ll be interested in the marks you give to “That’s What Love Is Made Of”, “He’s A Good Guy (Yes He Is)”, and “You’re My Remedy”, which are similar in one way or another.
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As I don’t care much at all about lyrics, and almost exclusively about the sound, as long as the lyrics are not offensive, I like this song very much. I’d give it an “8”. It has enough to do with Christmas for me, to find it not inappropriate for a Christmas holiday album. If the woman that I love would love me very much, and stick by me forever (as long as she lives), I’d give thanks to God for all that good that I’ve been given in my life. Isn’t that at least part of what Christmas is about? I’m not a Christian (a Jew), so perhaps I’m not well versed on that issue?
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Ok what is it about “Mickey’s Monkey” in here. I never knew people were so opinionated about that song!
Anyway heres a swinging holiday tune that according to our host is not really a holiday tune at all. Be that as it may, the first time i hear it every December i know Christmas is coming soon (as well Otis Redding’s “White Christmas” and The Temptations “Silent Night”).
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This may have been only a promo record, but it certainly did its job. The DJs loved and played it in the New York City area on both the R&B stations and the pop stations during December, 1963. It certainly succeeded in getting my spirits up, and for that, I award it an “8.”
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They played it on WVON in Chicago, too.
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