Released: December 6, 1965
Songwriter: Smokey Robinson Warren “Pete” Moore
Producer: Smokey Robinson
[Intro]
(Ooh)
Ah, yeah
(Ooh)
[Verse 1]
Beggars can't be choicey I know
That's what the people say (People say)
But though my heart is begging for love
I've turned some love away (Love away)
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Oh, maybe one was true love
I'll never know which cause
Your love is the only love to make this beggar rich
[Chorus]
I'm a choosey beggar (choosey beggar)
And you're my choice baby (You're my choice)
[Verse 2]
People say you can't have your cake
And then eat it too (Eat it too)
They tell me I've been making a mistake
Waiting around for you (Around for you)
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Oh, I'm begging for love but
Why can't they see that yours is the only love for me
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm a choosey beggar, choosey beggar (Choosey beggar, choosey beggar)
And you're my choice, baby (You're my choice)
[Bridge]
Say it one more time now (You're my choice)
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (You're my choice)
[Outro]
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
If beg you I must, then I'll never give up 'cause
Your love is the only thing to fill this beggar's cup
I'm a choosey beggar (Choosey beggar, choosey beggar)
And your my choice, oh baby (You're my choice)
When I need someone to hold me (You're my choice)
When I need arms to unfold me (You're my choice)
When I need someone beside me (You're my choice)
(Ooh)
Ah, yeah
(Ooh)
[Verse 1]
Beggars can't be choicey I know
That's what the people say (People say)
But though my heart is begging for love
I've turned some love away (Love away)
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Oh, maybe one was true love
I'll never know which cause
Your love is the only love to make this beggar rich
[Chorus]
I'm a choosey beggar (choosey beggar)
And you're my choice baby (You're my choice)
[Verse 2]
People say you can't have your cake
And then eat it too (Eat it too)
They tell me I've been making a mistake
Waiting around for you (Around for you)
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Oh, I'm begging for love but
Why can't they see that yours is the only love for me
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm a choosey beggar, choosey beggar (Choosey beggar, choosey beggar)
And you're my choice, baby (You're my choice)
[Bridge]
Say it one more time now (You're my choice)
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (You're my choice)
[Outro]
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
If beg you I must, then I'll never give up 'cause
Your love is the only thing to fill this beggar's cup
I'm a choosey beggar (Choosey beggar, choosey beggar)
And your my choice, oh baby (You're my choice)
When I need someone to hold me (You're my choice)
When I need arms to unfold me (You're my choice)
When I need someone beside me (You're my choice)
more tracks from the album
The 35th Anniversary Collection
- Bad Girl
- That’s the Way I Feel
- Come Spy With Me
- I’ve Been Good to You
- I Care About Detroit
- Determination
- Oh Be My Love
- Save Me
- You Never Miss a Good Thing
- Satisfaction
- Who’s Lovin’ You
- After All
- Shop Around (national version)
- A Love She Can Count On
- That’s What Love Is Made Of
- One Heartbeat
- Quiet Storm
- Sweet Harmony
- Being with You
- Happy Landing
- I Gotta Thing For You
- It
- He Don’t Care About Me
- If Your Mother Only Knew
- You Only Build Me Up to Tear Me Down
- I Cry
- All I Want Is You
- I Had To Cry
- The Day You Take One (You Have To Take The Other)
- I’m Stuck On You
- What Love Has Joined Together
- The Composer
- The Feeling Is So Fine
- Whatever Makes You Happy
- Heartbreak Road
- You’re So Fine and Sweet
- All That’s Good
- Crazy About the La La La
- It’s a Good Feeling
- Once I Got to Know You (Couldn’t Help But Love You)
- Here I Go Again (Live)
- The Tears of a Clown
- You Must Be Love
- (You Can’t Let the Boy Overpower) The Man in You
- I Don’t Blame You at All
- Abraham, Martin and John
- Going to a Go-Go
- Choosey Beggar
- The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
- Here I Go Again
- A Fork in the Road
- Doggone Right
- I Second That Emotion
- Ooo Baby Baby
- Cruisin’
- The Tracks of My Tears
- My Business, Your Pleasure
- Promise Me
- There’s A Sad Story Here
- You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
- After You Put Back the Pieces (I’ll Still Have a Broken Heart)
- Point It Out
- My Girl Has Gone
- Mighty Good Lovin’
- Baby Don’t You Go
- (You Can) Depend on Me
- Just to See Her
- Ain’t It Baby
- What’s So Good About Goodbye
- Broken Hearted
- I Like It Like That
- Way Over There
- Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues
- When the Words From Your Heart Get Caught Up in Your Throat
- More Love
- Baby, Baby Don’t Cry
- Special Occasion
- Yester Love
- If You Can Want
- Shop Around (Regional Version)
- Got a Job
- I’ll Try Something New
From the albums
- Going to a Go-Go (1965)
- Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (1968)
- Anthology (1974)
- The 35th Anniversary Collection (1994)
- The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 5: 1965 (2006)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles popular songs
- The Tears of a Clown
- Ooo Baby Baby
- The Tracks of My Tears
- I Second That Emotion
- Much Better Off
- A Fork in the Road
- Satisfaction
- California Soul
- Come Spy With Me
- Swept for You Baby
- Since You Won My Heart
- Your Mother’s Only Daughter
- I Care About Detroit
- Give Her Up
- Oh Be My Love
- Save Me
- I Gotta Thing For You
- All That’s Good
- That Girl
- Crazy About the La La La
- Oh Baby Baby I Love You
- Crazy About the La la La (Stereo Promo Version)
- My Business, Your Pleasure
- My Love Is Your Love (Forever)