When Smokey Sings
by ABC

Album: Alphabet City (1987)
Charted: 11 5
Play Video
  • Debonair lullabies in melodies revealed
    In deep despair on lonely nights
    He knows just how you feel
    The slyest rhymes - the sharpest suits
    In miracles made real

    Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
    You know you're right just to hold her tight
    He soothes it right ,makes it outta sight
    And everything's good in the world tonight!

    When Smokey sings, I hear violins
    When Smokey sings, I forget everything
    As she's packing her things
    As she's spreading her wings
    The front door might slam
    But the back door it rings
    And Smokey sings...he sings

    Elegance in eloquence, for sale or rent or hire
    Should I say, yes I match his best
    Then I would be a liar
    Symphonies that soothe the rage
    When lovers' hearts catch fire

    Like a bird in flight on a hot sweet night
    You know you're right just to hold her tight
    He soothes it right - makes it outta sight
    And everything's good in the world tonight!

    When Smokey sings, I hear violins
    When Smokey sings, I forget everything
    As she's packing her things
    As she's spreading her wings
    Smashing the hell
    With the heaven she brings
    Then Smokey sings...he sings

    Luther croons
    Sly's the original originator
    James screams
    Marvin was the only innovator
    But nothing can compare
    Nothing can compare
    When Smokey sings

    When Smokey sings, I hear violins
    When Smokey sings, I forget everything
    As she's packing her things
    As she's spreading her wings
    She threw back the ring
    When Smokey sings...
    Smokey sings...
    Smokey sings... Writer/s: MARK ANDREW WHITE, MARTIN DAVID FRY
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Brian Ping from United StatesOne of my favorite songs created by a truly talented artist, brings to the surface so many memories of September, 1987. Totally relatable!
  • Stormy Clements from Kralendijk BonaireThis song fills my heart and makes it soar
  • Joe from United StatesAwesome song when I was young as it is today.
  • Thedirge from Sydney. AustraliaThe front door might slam, but the back door it rings....indeed..
  • Eric from EssexOne of my favourite eighties songs
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1987 {August 22nd} ABC performed "When Smokey Sings" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV Saturday afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at position #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart, the following week it would peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} and it spent eleven weeks on the chart...
    And on October 4th, 1987 it reached #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, the record at #1 for that week was "Little Lies" by Fleetwood Mac...
    As noted above, it peaked at #5 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart on September 13th, 1987...
    Between 1982 and 1992 the English band had nine records on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, seven made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, beside the above "When Smokey Sings", their other #1 record was "Be Near Me" for 2 weeks in 1985...
  • Mavis from Upper MidwestSpandau Ballet’s “True,” was exactly what this tune reminded me of the first time I heard it. To me, it’s part of a group of other late-night, urban-sounding tunes that emerged in the 80s. I’d put Joe Jackson's “Stepping Out” in that group, too.
  • Kevin from Syracuse, UtThe song is a upbeat paen to the incomparable Smokey Robinson, and the brassy arrangement is evocative of Smokey's hit, "Tears of a Clown." Deep in the song the lyrics allude to five great black American artists: "Luther (Vandross) croons, Sly's (Stone) the original originator, James (Brown) screams, Marvin (Gaye) was the only innovator, But nothing can compare, nothing can compare when Smokey (Robinson) sings . . . ." ABC wasn' t the only New Romantic group to pay homage to a great black R&B artist with a signature tune. If you listen closely to Spandau Ballet's "True" you will catch the line "Listening to Marvin (Gaye) all night long . . . ."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.