Smokey Robinson

Released: February 17, 1981

Songwriter: Smokey Robinson

Producer: Mike Piccirillo George Tobin

Hey, tobacco man
Tell me if you can
How much money would you make off that cigarette
If your only son should partake
And then proceed to get
T.B. or Cancer, I got to know the answer

Industrial tycoon
You must see pretty soon
If you don't stop pouring that poison waste
Down into the water
There might not be any left to taste
Think of your thirsty daughter
You'd sure sound funny
Saying, "come on, honey
Let's try to drink this money"

Well, I'm not trying to tell you what to do
But he who spins the web sometimes gets caught
I'm not trying to fill you full of bull
I'm just feeding you some food for thought

(Food for thought)
A little food for thought
(Food for thought)
(Food for thought)
Yes I am
(Food for thought)

Hey, man on the run
Out there having fun
Trying to gander all the gooses
Stallion all the mares
At home, she's immune to all your excuses
For not being there
Now maybe she's got
Somebody there when you're not

Well, I'm not trying to tell you what to do
But he who spins the web sometimes gets caught
I'm not trying to fill you full of bull
I'm just feeding you some food for thought

(Food for thought)
A little food for thought
(Food for thought)
You better listen, people
(Food for thought)
A little food for thought
(Food for thought)
Trying to tell you
(I'm just feeding you some food for thought)
Trying to tell you
(Food for thought)

Well, mother who's a wife
Don't misuse your life
Makin', takin' care of babies
All you ever do
You've got to fill daddy's needs
'Cause he's your baby too
Your attention slipping
Will make daddy start tipping
Out, that is

Well, I'm not trying to tell you what to do
But he who spins the web sometimes gets caught
Oh, I'm not trying to fill you full of bull
I'm just feeding you some food for thought

(Food for thought)
A little food for thought
(Food for thought)
You better listen, people
(Food for thought)
A little food for thought
(Food for thought)

Trying to tell you
(I'm just feeding you some food for thought)
Trying to tell you
Listen, people
(Food for thought)
Food for thought
(Food for thought)

Listen, people
(I'm just feeding you some food for thought)
Trying to tell you
Food for thought
(Food for thought)
Oh-oh, food for thought
(Food for thought)

Listen, people
(I'm just feeding you some food for thought)
Trying to tell you
Trying to tell you
Trying to tell you
A little food for thought...

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.

more tracks from the album

Being with You

From the album

Being with You (1981)

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Food for ThoughtSmokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson

Being with You