• Skip to main content
• Text only version of this page
• Access keys help

Home

Explore the BBC

This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage BBC Music

Full Schedule -

Radio 2 Sold on Song What's On Search For A Songwriter Songs A-Z Artists A-Z Songwriting Guides Genres Glossary Newsletter
	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

SONG HOME YOUR VIEWS 98 | Top 100 'Tracks Of My Tears' Smokey Robinson and the Miracles “The Tracks Of My Tears” is built around two vital ingredients: Smokey Robinson’s honey-dipped vocals and his heartbreaking lyrics. Miracles guitarist Marvin Tarplin came up with the main riff after listening to calypso singer Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat Song”. Song facts Composer Warren “Pete” Moore/Smokey Robinson/Marvin Tarplin Genre Soul Album Going to a Go-Go Year of release 1965 UK Chart Position 9 Robinson wrote the majority of the lyrics straight away, although it was several weeks before he came up with the song’s central motif of tears leaving tracks down the face. The memorable introduction perfectly sets the mournful tone of the piece and readies the listener for Smokey’s smooth vocals. The music is pure Motown – rattling snares, stabs of strings and blaring brass – while the harmonies from The Miracles are heavenly. The theme of a man hiding his grief behind a fake smile – “Although I might be laughing loud and hearty/ Deep inside I’m blue” – is one Robinson later explored with huge success on “The Tears Of A Clown”. Strangely though this was not a big hit on its release in 1965 - it failed to make the UK charts, although it did reach number nine when reissued four years later. But although the world may not have known it then, it’s now clear that one of Motown’s stars was at the height of his powers on this release. Smokey Robinson talks about his singing voice Smokey Robinson talks to Andy Peebles about his singing idols, his "boy-sounding" voice and how his singing style has changed over the years. Audio help Other versions Linda Ronstadt brings her distinctive local style to Smokey Robinson's soul classic. for me it is the heartache song and ecapsulates universal feeling of hurt better than any other song. Michael READ MORE COMMENTS... Make a comment Your Name and Town/City: Your Message: Songwriting tips Are you trying to write your own Soul classic? Find out more in Writing A Song Test your knowledge Smokey Robinson has had many great hits - do you know your classic soul? TAKE THE CHALLENGE! 97This Charming Man 99Without You Newsletter sign-up Sign up for updates on new songs, documentaries and live events Like this song? Try these... I Heard It Through The Grapevine Marvin Gaye DON'T MISS Doves Special guests on Dermot's show this week What's on Radio 2 Documentaries Find out more about current and forthcoming documentaries on Radio 2.

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy