Released: September 27, 1960

Songwriter: Smokey Robinson Berry Gordy

Producer: Berry Gordy

[Intro]
When I became of age, my mother called me to her side
She said, "son, you're growing up now, pretty soon you'll take a bride"
And then she said

[Verse 1]
Just because you've become a young man now
There's still some things that you don't understand now
Before you ask some girl for her hand now
Keep your freedom for as long as you can now
My mama told me, you better shop around
Whoa, yeah, you better shop around

[Verse 2]
Ah, there's some things that I want you to know now
Just as sure as the wind's gonna blow now
The women come and the women gonna go now
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now
My mama told me, you better shop around
Whoa, yeah, you better shop around

[Chorus]
Try to get yourself a bargain, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving
Before you take a girl and say I do now
Make sure she's in love with you now
My mama told me, you better shop around

[Chorus]
Oh, yeah
Try to get yourself a bargain, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving
Before you take a girl and say I do now
Make sure she's in love with you now
Make sure that her love is true now
I'd hate to see you feeling sad and blue now
My mama told me, you better shop around

[Verse 3]
Oh, don't let the first one getcha
Oh no, 'cause I don't want to see her with ya
Uh huh, before you let 'em hold you tight
Ah, yeah, yeah, make sure she's all right
Uh huh, before you let her take your hand, my son
Understand, my son
Be a man, my son
I know you can, my son
I love you

The Miracles

The Miracles (also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American rhythm and blues vocal group.

They were formed at school in Detroit in 1955 as The Five Chimes. In 1956 they changed their name to The Matadors, adding Claudette Rogers to the line-up. They were spotted by Berry Gordy at an audition in late 1957 and in February 1958 changed their name to The Miracles. Their first release, ‘Get A Job’ b/w ‘My Mama Done Told Me’, was issued via the End label that same month. Another single on End followed, and then one on Chess and Motown, before the group finally found a home on Tamla where they had a string of hits and Smokey established himself as a key songwriter for the label throughout the 1960s.

In late 1965 Berry Gordy decided to adjust the group’s name and they were billed thereafter as Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, until Smokey left the group in July 1972 (although the final Smokey Robinson & The Miracles single was not released until November). He was replaced by Billy Griffin, with the name being reverted back to The Miracles for the new line-up.