You've Really Got A Hold On Me

by

The Miracles

Album: Greatest Hits From The Beginning     Released: 1962

US Chart: 8     

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Miracles leader Smokey Robinson wrote this for his wife Claudette after hearing Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me" on the radio. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL)

Claudette was a singer in the group. She and Robinson had 2 children - Berry, named after Motown president Berry Gordy, and Tamla, named after Gordy's record label The Miracles recorded on.

When Motown was growing into a dominant label in 1962, they set up a tour where many of their acts performed together around the United States. For many people, this was their first look at Motown acts like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. This was the biggest Motown hit at the time, so The Miracles closed the shows with it.

The Beatles recorded this in 1963. They performed it in their last movie, Let It Be.

The Beatles were the first big British band to come to America and admit they were influenced by black music. Robinson admired this, and felt they helped black artists by covering their songs.

Smokey Robinson sang this song on the children's show Sesame Street in a sketch where a giant puppet "U" grabbed on to Smokey as he sang the song and ultimately carried him away. (thanks, Alden - College Park, MD)

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Comments:

My A Capella class is doing this. I think we're better.
- Ivy , Springfield, NE

An unusual rendition of this song, downbeat with an almost spooky quality to it, was done by Mike & the Mechanics on their 1995 album Beggar On A Beach Of Gold. Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young (not to be confused with the Paul Young who sang "Everytime You Go Away") sing co-lead simultaneously, which was unusual for this group (Carrack and Young usually took turns as the sole lead singer).
- Joshua , Twin Cities, MN

Hey the original and the Beatles cover are both great.
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

Oh I love this song soooo much! I've actually never heard it by the Miracles, only by either the Beatles, Eddie Money, or the Zombies.
- Dani , Boston, MA

The BEATLES version? The ZOMBIES?? Hey, I like those groups too, but have a little reverence, please. Children today. Sheesh. :-)
- MusicFan , New York, NY

The Zombies have also recorded a pretty good cover of this song. The Beatles probably did it best though.
- J-Raff , Boston, MA

I adore The Beatles cover of this song
- Katie , Gasoline Alley, Australia

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