Smokey Robinson

Producer: Rick Chudacoff Peter Bunetta

[Verse 1]
You gave me space
Girl, you gave me air
You let me run and rip
And when I'm done my trip
You've been waiting right here
You gave me leeway, you gave me my way
Now you're acting like you're bout to give me the highway
I better straighten up

[Chorus]
It's time to stop shopping around
It's time to stop Duking of Earl
It's time to stop Jimmy Macking
And get myself back in
Your arms again

[Verse 2]
I've been a rover
Girl, I've been a mover
You just swallowed your pride
And stood on the side
And let me maneuver
You gave me freedom, you gave me rope
I haven't already hung myself, I hope
I better straighten up

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
At first it was nice
Taking mama's advice
And play the game of pick-and-choose
But along came you
And that's when I knew
I found that woman that I don't want to lose

[Verse 3]
My way was a dream
Girl, your way is real
You had to shake me up
Just to wake me up
Show me how I feel
I showed you my way, you showed me your way
Now you acting like you're bout to show me the doorway
I better straighten up

[Chorus]

Arguably the greatest songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century, Robinson’s timeless creations for Motown, both for his own group and for other artists, provided the ultimate example of what a pop song can be. From The Beatles to Bob Dylan, the rest of the 60s followed in his wake

As if that wasn’t enough, he created a whole new genre in the mid-70s with “quiet storm”, a radio format named after one of his songs. He continues writing and performing today.

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