Baby, Baby Don't Cry
Encyclopedia
"Baby, Baby Don't Cry", released in December 1968, is a 1969 single recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
for Motown Records
' Tamla label. The composition was written by Smokey Robinson
, Motown staff writers Al Cleveland
and Terry Johnson, a former member of The Flamingos
. Robinson, Johnson, and Miracles member Warren "Pete" Moore were the song's producers.
"Baby Baby Don't Cry" was a top 10 pop hit for The Miracles, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States
, and at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart.It sold over one million copies http://www.gbelv.com/pete_moore_miracles_facts.html, and has inspired cover versions by Gerald Wilson
and His Orchestra, and Projekt.
Although not given writing credit on this particular tune,Miracle Marv Tarplin's
outstanding guitar work plays an important role in this song,his gentle but effective riffs being evident from the song's beginning,giving a "raindrop" effect reminiscent of someone crying (the song's main theme). The song is noted for its two spoken recitations from Smokey before the first and second verse. They Are:
"Nothing so blue as a heart in pain./ Nothing so sad as a tear in vain."
and:
"You trusted him and gave him your love./ A love he proved unworthy of."
The song is also noted for it's long repeated bridge, before the song switches from the key of F Major to F# Sharp Major for the final Choruses.
The Miracles performed this song on a 1969 Telecast of The Mike Douglas Show, a performance that was re-broadcast many years later on VH-1. The success of this song ended a period of relatively mediocre chart action for The Miracles during 1968, and set the stage for their biggest hit ever with Smokey as lead singer, 1970's multi- million selling # 1 hit The Tears of a Clown
.
Covers Reference: Allmusic.
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
' Tamla label. The composition was written by Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Motown staff writers Al Cleveland
Al Cleveland
Al Cleveland is a former American songwriter for the Motown label. Among his most popular co-compositions are 1967's "I Second That Emotion" performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and 1971's "What's Going On" performed by Marvin Gaye.Cleveland was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United...
and Terry Johnson, a former member of The Flamingos
The Flamingos
The Flamingos were a doo wop group from the United States, most popular in the mid to late 1950s and best known for their 1959 cover version of "I Only Have Eyes for You".-Early quintet:...
. Robinson, Johnson, and Miracles member Warren "Pete" Moore were the song's producers.
"Baby Baby Don't Cry" was a top 10 pop hit for The Miracles, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart.It sold over one million copies http://www.gbelv.com/pete_moore_miracles_facts.html, and has inspired cover versions by Gerald Wilson
Gerald Wilson
Gerald Stanley Wilson is an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer/arranger, 8 time Grammy nominee, and educator. He has been based in Los Angeles since the early 1940s....
and His Orchestra, and Projekt.
Although not given writing credit on this particular tune,Miracle Marv Tarplin's
Marv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
outstanding guitar work plays an important role in this song,his gentle but effective riffs being evident from the song's beginning,giving a "raindrop" effect reminiscent of someone crying (the song's main theme). The song is noted for its two spoken recitations from Smokey before the first and second verse. They Are:
"Nothing so blue as a heart in pain./ Nothing so sad as a tear in vain."
and:
"You trusted him and gave him your love./ A love he proved unworthy of."
The song is also noted for it's long repeated bridge, before the song switches from the key of F Major to F# Sharp Major for the final Choruses.
The Miracles performed this song on a 1969 Telecast of The Mike Douglas Show, a performance that was re-broadcast many years later on VH-1. The success of this song ended a period of relatively mediocre chart action for The Miracles during 1968, and set the stage for their biggest hit ever with Smokey as lead singer, 1970's multi- million selling # 1 hit The Tears of a Clown
The Tears of a Clown
"The Tears of a Clown" is a song by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for the Tamla label, originally released on the 1967 album Make It Happen. It was re-released in the United Kingdom as a single in September 1970, where it became a #1 hit on the UK singles chart...
.
Covers Reference: Allmusic.
The Miracles
- Lead vocals by Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
- Background vocals by Claudette Rogers RobinsonClaudette Rogers RobinsonClaudette Rogers Robinson is an African-American soul singer, a member of The Miracles from 1957 to 1972. Her brother Emerson "Sonny" Rogers was an original member of the group, which was originally called "The Matadors" before 1957; Claudette Rogers took her brother's place after he was drafted...
, Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
, Ronnie White, and Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
. - Guitar by Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...