When Smokey Sings, ABC

[littlemissmartypants]

Good morning, DUers! ❤️

With saxophone solo

Without saxophone solo, with lyrics

"When Smokey Sings" is a song by English pop band ABC, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Alphabet City (1987). The lyrics and title of the song are a tribute to R&B and soul singer Smokey Robinson. In the United States, Robinson himself was on the Billboard 100 pop chart with his single "One Heartbeat" at the same time as this tribute song; for the week ending 3 October 1987, both songs were in the Billboard top 10 simultaneously.[3]
Snip...

Background

"When Smokey Sings" and its B-side, "Chicago", also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and became their second US top-10 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song. Pitchfork were favourable for the Miami Mix.[4]

In the album version, references are made to "Luther," "Sly," "James," and "Marvin" (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye, respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternative lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

The bassline of the song is a homage to Robinson's 1970 composition, "The Tears of a Clown."[5] Smokey Robinson himself praised the song, saying, "Well, of course, that's a form of flattery, and I really appreciate it."[6]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Smokey_Sings

When Smokey Sings
(Ooh ooh)
(Ooh ooh)
(Ooh ooh)
Ooh-ooh (Ooh ooh)

Debonair lullabies
In melodies revealed
In deep despair on lonely nights
He knows just how you feel
The slyest rhymes, the sharpest suits
In miracles made real

Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
You know you're right just to hold her tight
He soothes it right, makes it out of sight
And everything's good in the world tonight

When Smokey sings, I hear violins
When Smokey sings, I forget everything
As she's packing her things
As she's spreading her wings
The front door might slam
But the back door it rings
And Smokey sings, he sings

Elegance in eloquence
For sale or rent or hire
Should I say yes and match his best?
Then I would be a liar
Symphonies that soothe the rage
When lovers' hearts catch fire

Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
You know you're right just to hold her tight
He soothes it right, makes it out of sight
And everything's good in the world tonight

When Smokey sings, I hear violins
When Smokey sings, I forget everything yeah
As she's packing her things
As she's spreading her wings
Smashing the hell
With the heaven she brings
Then Smokey sings, he sings

(Would it be true to say?)

Luther croons
Sly's the original originator
James screams (uh-uh)
Marvin was the only innovator
(Innovator)
But nothing can compare
Nothing can compare
When Smokey sings
(Sings)

When Smokey sings, I hear violins
When Smokey sings, I forget everything
As she's packing her things
(Ooh ooh)
As she's spreading her wings
(Ooh ooh)
She threw back the ring
(Ooh ooh)
When Smokey sings
Smokey sings
(Smokey sings)
Smokey sings
(Smokey sings)
Written by: Mark Andrew White, Martin David Fry
Album: Alphabet City
Released: 1987

Lyrics provided by Musixmatch
https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/ABC/When-Smokey-Sings

Have a great day!
❤️pants

[SouthernDem4ever]

1. Brought a big smile

Thanks. Haven't heard this in years. And I love Smokey too.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. You're welcome, SouthernDem4ever. ❤️