Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr.is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he also served as the group's chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as the Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRock Singer
Date of Birth19 February 1940
CityDetroit, MI
CountryUnited States of America
Originally I was not writing songs for myself
When you write a song, a song has longevity
I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. Songwriting is my gift from God.
My philosophy on writing a song for myself is that I always, always, always want to write a song. I always want to write a song. I realize that as a record producer or a singer or whatever I might not, if I recorded on myself or someone else, the first time out I might not give it the right treatment, so that the world or many people will accept it and it'll be a public hit, or anything like that.
Beethoven was just music, and it didn't matter if he could hear it or not - he could feel it. He could hear it in his mind. He could write it down hearing it in his mind. He was just music. Yeah, he's one of my favorite writers of all times.
If I hear one of my songs by anybody, it's a dream come true every time for me as a songwriter, because I want to write a song, I want to write a song that the world can sing and will always sing.
Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential.
I'm blessed, because I enjoy every part of my life. I enjoy writing songs. I've been trying to write songs since I was five years old.
So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it - only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God.
I left Motown because of the regime of people who were there.
I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record.
That's because we did not set out to make black music. We set out to make quality music that everyone could enjoy and listen to.
In fact, I wouldn't really call this a Gospel album, I call it more an inspirational album.
Had I not come out with an inspirational CD, you perhaps would have never known that I feel like I feel, that all songs, all the music I've ever done is a gift from God.