When Smokey Sings Explained

"When Smokey Sings" is a song by English pop band ABC, released as the first single from their fourth studio album Alphabet City (1987). The lyrics and title of the song are a tribute to R&B and soul singer Smokey Robinson. In the United States, Robinson's single "One Heartbeat" and ABC's "When Smokey Sings" were ranked in the Billboard 100 pop chart simultaneously for several weeks, including the week ending 3 October 1987, in which both songs ranked in the top 10.^[2]

Background

"When Smokey Sings" and its B-side "Chicago" also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song reached 11 on the UK Singles Chart and became ABC's second American top-10 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song.

The album version contains references to "Luther," "Sly," "James" and "Marvin" (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly Stone, James Brown and Marvin Gaye, respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternative lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

The bassline of the song is an homage to Robinson's 1970 hit single with the Miracles "The Tears of a Clown."^[3] Robinson praised the song, saying, "Well, of course, that's a form of flattery, and I really appreciate it."^[4]

Critical reception

Barry McIlheney of Smash Hits was critical of "When Smokey Sings", stating that "this isn't half as good as any of their older stuff" and that Smokey Robinson, to whom it was a tribute, "deserves a lot better than this".^[5]

Track listings

7-inch single^[6]

A. "When Smokey Sings"

B. "Chicago" (part one)

UK, European, and Australian 12-inch single^{[7] [8]}

A. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

B. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38

UK 12-inch remix single^[9]

A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix)

B1. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats)

B2. "Chicago" (part one)

B3. "When Smokey Sings"

UK CD single^[10]

1. "When Smokey Sings" (7-inch) – 4:21
2. "All of My Heart" (live from Boston Metro, 17 December 1982) – 6:48
3. "Chicago" – 1:45
4. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single^{[11] [12]}

A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

A2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38

B1. "When Smokey Sings" (7-inch version) – 4:21

B2. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats) – 4:38

B3. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47

Canadian 12-inch single^[13]

A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

B1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47

B2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38

Canadian cassette single^[14]

A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

A2. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats) – 4:38

B1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47

B2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[15]	25
Canada (The Record)[16]	2
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[17]	18
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[18]	20
US Billboard Hot 100[19]	5
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[20]	8
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[21]	2
US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)[22]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1987)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[23]	98
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[24]	47
US Billboard Hot 100[25]	70

External links

• Web site: Padua . Pat . When Smokey Sings, Forget Everything . The Library of Congress . 18 November 2016 . 18 November 2016.

Notes and References

1. Strickland . Andy . News Digest . . 23 May 1987 . 28 . 0144-5804.
2. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. 3 October 1987. 4 April 2023.
3. News: Porter . Christopher . ABC, 'When Smokey Sings . Express . The Washington Post . 25 August 2008.
4. Web site: When Smokey Robinson Sings, His Colleagues Become Fans . 12 December 1987 . DUNCAN . STRAUSS. .
5. Singles reviewed by Barry McIlheney . . 9 . 10 . 20 May – 2 June 1987 . BMcIlheney . Barry . 46 . 0260-3004 . World Radio History . 20 November 2023.
6. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Neutron Records. NT 111, 888 327-7.
7. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Neutron Records. NTX 111.
8. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. European & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc. Mercury Records. 888 604-1.
9. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. UK 12-inch remix single sleeve. Neutron Records. NTXR 111.
10. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. UK CD single liner notes. Neutron Records. NTCD 111.
11. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Mercury Records. 888 726-1.
12. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. US maxi-cassette single sleeve. Mercury Records. 422 888 726-4.
13. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc. Vertigo Records. SOVX 2389.
14. When Smokey Sings. ABC. 1987. Canadian cassette single sleeve. Vertigo Records. NTC 111.
15. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 978-0-646-11917-5. 10.
16. Book: Lwin, Nanda. Nanda Lwin. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. 2000. Music Data Canada . 978-1-896594-13-2.
17. European Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 4. 28. 19. 18 July 1987.
18. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (A). rock.co.za. 23 June 2012.
19. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. 19 September 1987. 20 June 2023.
20. Dance Singles Sales. Billboard. 26 September 1987. subscription. 20 June 2023.
21. Adult Contemporary. Billboard. 10 October 1987. subscription. 20 June 2023.
22. Dance Club Songs. Billboard. 29 August 1987. 20 June 2023.
23. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1987. Ultratop. nl. 16 January 2023.
24. Top 100 Singles of '87. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 16 January 2023.
25. 1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles. Billboard. 99. 52. Y-22. 26 December 1987.