A fine record. It’s not a Miracles classic, not by Smokey’s rarified standards, and it’s not without its problems – it’s a trifle repetitive, and (most uncharacteristically for its writer and lead singer) it doesn’t really go anywhere having made such an explosive start – but it’s plenty of fun nonetheless.
Motown’s first double-sided hit. The public was right – Mighty Good Lovin’ is the better song – but this one is good stuff too. A lavish, expensive-sounding production, and the song underneath it is a strong one, a noticeable step forward from the group’s earlier work.
Hardly a million miles away from Who’s Lovin’ You, it’s a sweet, slow-paced ballad that doesn’t really go anywhere, but it’s pretty all the same, well sung by Smokey at the very top of his register.
The Miracles’ singles had been getting progressively less good with each single since Way Over There, to the point where this sounds like a B-side cut by some forgettable act, not a follow-up to a smash hit single by Motown’s flagship group. (4)
Unintentionally funny ending aside, I find the record pleasant but unremarkable. Nothing particularly special to these ears, but hey, your mileage may vary.
Not as good as some of their previous singles – Bad Girl and especially Way Over There are better than this one, all told – but it’s great fun nonetheless, quite aside from it being Historically Significant both for the Miracles and in the grand scheme of the Motown story. (7)
Better than the first version, but I still don’t think there’s actually very much song going on underneath all the harmonising and vocal pyrotechnics. Pretty, though.
This is a great pop song all the way; that chorus is one of early Smokey’s best, and Robinson absolutely *nails* it, hitting the very top of his range when he sings “I’m on my way-YYY”… great stuff.
Quite pretty, clearly intended as a slowie ballad in the Bad Girl vein, sung in a very high register by young Smokey, who gives it his all, but not really to any particular end. More of an exercise in vocal range than a real song, it’s pretty forgettable, to be honest.
The song doesn’t really go anywhere, there are no real surprises, and although it’s not without its charm, as a single it’s not a patch on Bad Girl. (5)
After the soaring, lovely Bad Girl, this somewhat ill-considered B-side sends the listener crashing back down to earth with a bump. (2)
Motown Junkies 