Going to a Go-Go
Encyclopedia
Going to a Go-Go is a 1965 album by The Miracles
', the first to bill the group as Smokey Robinson
& the Miracles. It includes four of the Miracles' Top 20 hits: "Ooo Baby Baby
", "The Tracks of My Tears
", "Going to a Go-Go
", and "My Girl Has Gone
". Primarily produced by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, Going to a Go-Go features compositions co-written by Miracles members Robinson, Ronald White
, Bobby Rogers
, Pete Moore
, and Marv Tarplin
. In fact, with the sole exception of the song, My Baby Changes Like The Weather, this entire album was written by The Miracles.
The album also features two important Miracles b-sides, "Choosey Beggar
" and "A Fork in the Road
". "Choosey Beggar" charted on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart at number 35. "A Fork in the Road", on the other hand, did not chart nationally, but proved to be a strong regional hit in several areas of the country and was regularly performed as part of the Miracles' live show.
Going To A Go-Go was the only Miracles studio LP to chart within the Top 10 of the Billboard 200
albums chart, where it peaked at number-eight. The LP peaked at number-one on Billboard's R&B albums chart. Going to a Go-Go was reissued on CD in 2002, coupled with the Miracles' Away We a Go-Go
. A never-before-released live version of "A Fork in the Road" is included as a bonus track. In 2003, the
Miracles' Going To A Go-Go album achieved Gold Record status and was ranked number 271 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
.
recorded a version of the song for his album of soul covers, Going Back
.
The Rolling Stones
released a live version of the song on their 1982 live album "Still Life
".
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...
', the first to bill the group as 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...
& the Miracles. It includes four of the Miracles' Top 20 hits: "Ooo Baby Baby
Ooo Baby Baby
"Ooo Baby Baby" is a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label, today considered the group's signature song. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #262 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
", "The Tracks of My Tears
The Tracks of My Tears
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
", "Going to a Go-Go
Going to a Go-Go (song)
"Going to a Go-Go" is a 1965 single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Issued in December 1965, "Going to a Go-Go" peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States the following spring...
", and "My Girl Has Gone
My Girl Has Gone
"My Girl Has Gone" is a 1965 R&B single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Included on their 1965 album Going to a Go-Go, "My Girl Has Gone" was the follow-up to the group's number 16 Billboard Hot 100 million-selling hit "The Tracks Of My Tears".Written by Miracles members Smokey...
". Primarily produced by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, Going to a Go-Go features compositions co-written by Miracles members Robinson, Ronald White
Ronald White
Ronald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
, Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby 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...
, Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete 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...
, and Marv Tarplin
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...
. In fact, with the sole exception of the song, My Baby Changes Like The Weather, this entire album was written by The Miracles.
The album also features two important Miracles b-sides, "Choosey Beggar
Choosey Beggar
"Choosey Beggar" was a 1965 song recorded by Motown R&B group The Miracles on its Tamla label subsidiary. It was issued as the B-side of the group's top-20 million-selling single, "Going to a Go-Go", and was taken from the group's Billboard Top 10 Pop album of the same name.Written by Miracles...
" and "A Fork in the Road
A Fork in the Road
A Fork in the Road is an Australian travel television series airing on SBS and hosted by Pria Viswalingam.Described by SBS as "the thinking-person’s travel show" the program takes the viewer off the beaten track and takes a look at the lives of the people living in each destination rather than...
". "Choosey Beggar" charted on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart at number 35. "A Fork in the Road", on the other hand, did not chart nationally, but proved to be a strong regional hit in several areas of the country and was regularly performed as part of the Miracles' live show.
Going To A Go-Go was the only Miracles studio LP to chart within the Top 10 of the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart, where it peaked at number-eight. The LP peaked at number-one on Billboard's R&B albums chart. Going to a Go-Go was reissued on CD in 2002, coupled with the Miracles' Away We a Go-Go
Away We a Go-Go
Away We A Go-Go is a 1966 album by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. The album features the singles " I'm The One You Need",a Billboard Top 20 Pop hit, written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland; and "Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart ", written and produced by Frank Wilson...
. A never-before-released live version of "A Fork in the Road" is included as a bonus track. In 2003, the
Miracles' Going To A Go-Go album achieved Gold Record status and was ranked number 271 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
.
Side one
- "The Tracks of My TearsThe Tracks of My Tears"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
" (Warren 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...
, 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...
, Marvin Tarplin) – 2:55 - "Going to a Go-GoGoing to a Go-Go (song)"Going to a Go-Go" is a 1965 single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Issued in December 1965, "Going to a Go-Go" peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States the following spring...
" (Moore, Robinson, Robert 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...
, Tarplin) – 2:46 - "Ooo Baby BabyOoo Baby Baby"Ooo Baby Baby" is a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label, today considered the group's signature song. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #262 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
" (Moore, Robinson) – 2:45 - "My Girl Has GoneMy Girl Has Gone"My Girl Has Gone" is a 1965 R&B single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Included on their 1965 album Going to a Go-Go, "My Girl Has Gone" was the follow-up to the group's number 16 Billboard Hot 100 million-selling hit "The Tracks Of My Tears".Written by Miracles members Smokey...
" (Moore, Robinson, Tarplin, Ronald WhiteRonald WhiteRonald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
) – 2:50 - "In Case You Need Love" (Robinson) – 2:47
- "Choosey BeggarChoosey Beggar"Choosey Beggar" was a 1965 song recorded by Motown R&B group The Miracles on its Tamla label subsidiary. It was issued as the B-side of the group's top-20 million-selling single, "Going to a Go-Go", and was taken from the group's Billboard Top 10 Pop album of the same name.Written by Miracles...
" (Moore, Robinson) – 2:33
Side two
- "Since You Won My Heart" (Robinson, William "Mickey" Stevenson) – 2:16
- "From Head to Toe" (Robinson) – 2:25
- "All That's Good" (Moore, Robinson) – 3:12
- "My Baby Changes Like the Weather" (Hal DavisHal DavisHarold Edward "Hal" Davis was an African American songwriter and record producer, best known as the key figure in the latter part of the Motown career of The Jackson 5....
, Frank WilsonFrank Wilson (musician)Frank Wilson is an African American former songwriter and record producer for Motown Records.-Biography:He was born to James Wilson and Samantha Gibbs...
) – 2:47 - "Let Me Have Some" - (Robinson, Rogers) – 3:07
- "A Fork in the Road" (Moore, Robinson, White) – 3:26
Personnel-The Miracles
- 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...
: lead vocals - Ronnie White, 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...
, Warren "Pete" Moore, Claudette Robinson: background vocals - Marv Tarplin: guitarist
Producers
- 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...
, producer, Album executive producer - Frank WilsonFrank Wilson (musician)Frank Wilson is an African American former songwriter and record producer for Motown Records.-Biography:He was born to James Wilson and Samantha Gibbs...
, producer - William "Mickey" Stevenson, producer
Cover versions
Phil CollinsPhil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
recorded a version of the song for his album of soul covers, Going Back
Going Back (Phil Collins album)
Going Back is Phil Collins's eighth studio album. It was released on 13 September 2010 in the United Kingdom and 28 September 2010 in the United States. and features covers of 60s Motown & Soul standards...
.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
released a live version of the song on their 1982 live album "Still Life
Still life
A still life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made...
".