The Tracks Of My Tears

Album: Going To A Go-Go (1965)
Charted: 9 16
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  • People say I'm the life of the party
    Because I tell a joke or two
    Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
    Deep inside I'm blue
    So take a good look at my face
    You'll see my smile looks out of place

    If you look closer, it's easy to trace
    The tracks of my tears
    I need you, need you
    Since you left me if you see me with another girl
    Seeming like I'm having fun
    Although she may be cute

    She's just a substitute
    Because you're the permanent one
    So take a good look at my face
    You'll see my smile looks out of place
    If you look closer, it's easy to trace
    The tracks of my tears

    I need you, need you
    Outside I'm masquerading
    Inside my hope is fading
    Just a clown oh yeah
    Since you put me down
    My smile is my make up

    I wear since my break up with you
    So take a good look at my face
    You'll see my smile looks out of place
    If you look closer, it's easy to trace
    The tracks of my tears Writer/s: Marvin Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, William Robinson Jr.
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

  • Conejo from Clovis New MexicoPerfect song for the one that got away believe me 12 years and I still miss her oh well life goes on, but from experience young bucks if you find a good one don't f**k it up ya feel me they don't come around everyday hold onto her you won't regret it dueces!
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI had always thought maybe this song was written about the breakup of his marriage.
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkOh yes, what a terrific song. I bought the single upon first release & it was heavily played on radio stations in Kansas City & Topeka when I was a student at University of Kansas at Lawrence. Love it even now. The Miracles were fantastic! Smokey's voice is unique. I also bought the follow-up hit "My Girl Has Gone." The area rock & roll or R&B stations in the KC area ranked these 2 Miracles hits higher than did Billboard. I recall they were in the Top Ten there. Even though Billboard ranked them in the teens, they were definitely hits.
  • James from San Fernando Valley, CaliforniaThe follow-up song "My Girl Has Gone" is mentioned in the Songfacts section above, and someone wrote that the record flopped. This is not the case at all. "My Girl Has Gone" reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, whereas "Tracks of My Tears" only reached #16. Also, "My Girl Has Gone" reached the top 5 on the R&B charts. It hardly can be considered a flop! Along with "Tracks of My Tears" it remains one of my favorite Miracles records.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 13th 1973, the Miracles performed "The Tracks of My Tears" on the NBC-TV program 'The Midnight Special'...
    Exactly eight years earlier on July 13th, 1965 it was in its first week on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, at position #81...
    (See next post below).
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 11th 1965, "The Tracks Of My Tears" by the Miracles entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #81; and on August 29th, 1965 it peaked at #16 (for 1 week) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
    Their record "Ooo Baby Baby", which preceded it on the Top 100, also peaked at #16 on chart; and interestingly enough both songs were eventually covered by Linda Ronstadt.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 17th 1967, Johnny Rivers performed "Tracks of My Tears" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Twenty days earlier on May 28th, 1967 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart...
    (See the next post below).
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 28th 1967, "The Tracks of My Tears" by Johnny Rivers entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #70; and on July 2nd it peaked at #10 (for 1 week) and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
    Linda Ronstadt's version reached #25 on February 22nd, 1976...
    It was also covered by Aretha Franklin, her version peaked at #71 in 1969.
  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationIn the five-LP publication The Motown Story, by Motown Records, Smokey Robinson explained the origin of this song in these words: "Tracks of My Tears" was actually started by Marv Tarplin, who is a young cat who plays guitar for our act. So he had this musical thing - [sings melody] – you know, and we worked around with it, and worked around, and it became "Tracks of My Tears."
    Tarplin's guitar licks at the songs' intro have become instantly recognizable worldwide.
    "The Tracks of My Tears" was a #2 hit on the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart, and it reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Belatedly released in the UK in 1969, "The Tracks of My Tears" became a Top Ten hit that summer reaching #9; a 1987 re-release - as "Tracks of My Tears" - appeared on the UK charts with a #82 peak (both UK releases were credited to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles).
  • Ron from New Harmony, UtI just listened to the Adam Lambert version available on I-tunes and he's singing on top of the original instrumentation and backing vocals. Looks like Berry Gordy and Smokey struck an agreement with American Idol and being astute businessmen, are still raking in some cash. Good for them.
  • Hanny from Roden, NetherlandsA true classic , Smokey has one of the most beautiful voices.
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdThis is on Mike McDonald's second Motown album
  • Ross from Independence, MoThis is #50 in Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs.
  • Victor from Vienna, Vabeautiful song....one that we can all relate to
  • Eric from Franklin, MaIt's too bad that today's pop "artists" can't come up with lyrics like this. Good job Smokey
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