Does anyone remember this Motown hit from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2E_RSJAhYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2E_RSJAhYU
Is there anything you would like to chat about regarding Tears of a Clown?
Yeah. I understand that this is Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' only number one hit song. Why is that?
When talking about American music rankings, the problem involves catagories. There are too many music classifications. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles topped several music charts during the 60's, mostly R&B or Soul - depending on who's making the list.
Despite Smokey Robinson and the Miracles long list of Motown hits, it wasn't until 1970 that "Tears of a Clown" topped Billboard Magazine's "Hot 100" as a re-issued single, not associated with the earlier 1967 album where the song first appeared.
Very ironic that one of Motown's best musical groups topped the "Pop" chart with a re-issue of a 1967 song that received the "bubble gum soul" treatment evident in the songs musical orchestration.
Despite Smokey Robinson and the Miracles long list of Motown hits, it wasn't until 1970 that "Tears of a Clown" topped Billboard Magazine's "Hot 100" as a re-issued single, not associated with the earlier 1967 album where the song first appeared.
Very ironic that one of Motown's best musical groups topped the "Pop" chart with a re-issue of a 1967 song that received the "bubble gum soul" treatment evident in the songs musical orchestration.
Thanks for the info Ed!
This song was before my time, but one of many Motown favs of mine.
This song was before my time, but one of many Motown favs of mine.
You're welcome!
By 1970 the Motown sound was still popular, but tastes were changing. Just like a kid growing up, musical tastes were growing up too. The Motown standard was too "bland" for many of the people I cared about. By the time Tears of a Clown came around, it seemed "old fashioned" or "old timey".
Don't get me wrong, it was a nice song but it wasn't cutting edge, like the hip songs cool people liked. The Archies singing "Sugar, Sugar" just a few months before revealed that popular music was out of step with the times. But you guys know all about that, this is old news.
By 1970 the Motown sound was still popular, but tastes were changing. Just like a kid growing up, musical tastes were growing up too. The Motown standard was too "bland" for many of the people I cared about. By the time Tears of a Clown came around, it seemed "old fashioned" or "old timey".
Don't get me wrong, it was a nice song but it wasn't cutting edge, like the hip songs cool people liked. The Archies singing "Sugar, Sugar" just a few months before revealed that popular music was out of step with the times. But you guys know all about that, this is old news.