Smokey Robinson Quotations

You know what, I'm probably one of the most blessed people there's ever been, and I thank God for it.

As human beings, we're very materialistic and have all this stuff - furs and cars and diamonds and money.

Had I not come out with an inspirational CD, you perhaps would have never known that I feel like I feel, that all songs, all the music I've ever done is a gift from God.

I don't ever balk at being considered a Motown person, because Motown is the greatest musical event that ever happened in the history of music

In fact, I wouldn't really call this a Gospel album, I call it more an inspirational album.

That's because we did not set out to make black music. We set out to make quality music that everyone could enjoy and listen to.

I really haven't strayed too far, musically, from my roots

The only thing you're taking out of here is your spirit and your soul, so we need to be conscious to try and develop that part of ourselves, because we're all spiritual creatures.

We're all going to be victims of temptation at several points in our lives.

As a kid, this is what I wanted my life to be. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever dare to dream that it would be this.

Motown will always be a heavy-duty part of my life because those are my roots

When someone picks up one of my songs and records it, I'm a flattered man, it's a blessing to me

You know what, life is full of temptations

Even if I don't release it myself, somebody else might hear it and want to record it. When you write a song, it gives it that potential.

Drugs are in every walk of life - doctors, lawyers, preachers, the guy who works for IBM, teenagers on the street, teenagers in school.

I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record.

I left Motown because of the regime of people who were there.

Once you're a Motown artist, that's your stigmatism, and I was there from the very first day

Once you're a Motown artist, you're always a Motown artist

People still look at Michael Jackson as being a Motown artist.

We're very physical creatures, and we worry about how we look sometimes more than our spiritual selves

When you write a song, a song has longevity

I've been speaking at churches for years, as well as juvenile jails, rehabs and hospitals, and I always talk about my faith. That is a declaration of my relationship with God

There are very few courses around Detroit I haven't played

So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it - only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God.

I had been stockpiling Gospel songs for other artists, and had planned to submit them to Gospel artists.

My uncle Claude was my favorite uncle he was also my godfather. He and I were really, really close. He used to take me to see cowboy movies all the time when I was a little boy because I loved cowboy movies. He got a cowboy name for me, which was Smokey Joe. So from the time I was three years old if people asked me what my name was I didn't tell them my name was William, I told them my name was Smokey Joe.

Ron White was not one of the very first original members of the Motown staff, but eventually he was.

Originally I was not writing songs for myself

I've never been to rehab, I've never been to psychotherapy or the doctor or anything like that. I went to a church and I was prayed for, and I've always had a great relationship with God.

There's so many wonderful gospel people out there, and I don't necessarily want to compete with those people.

Everybody has their own soul.

There's some sad things known to man, but ain't too much sadder than, the tears of a clown when noones around.

Just like Pagliacci did, I try to keep my surface hid. Smiling in the crowd I try, but in a lonely room I cry.

My mother was a churchgoing lady, so I always heard about God at home

And I can say this, most of the people who have recorded my songs are songwriters themselves.

I always try to write a song, I never just want to write a record. Originally I was not writing songs for myself. Songwriting is my gift from God.

They don't tell you this in school, Everybody plays the fool.

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..

Though you treat me badly, I love you madly.

I will build you a castle with a tower so high it reaches the moon.

There is nothing that means more to a woman than a love she can count on.

Baby, let's cruise, let's flow, let's glide.

You are most certainly the inspiration for all of today's rock 'n' roll guitarists. Your music is timeless.

My philosophy on writing a song for myself is that I always, always, always want to write a song. I always want to write a song. I realize that as a record producer or a singer or whatever I might not, if I recorded on myself or someone else, the first time out I might not give it the right treatment, so that the world or many people will accept it and it'll be a public hit, or anything like that.

Now if I appear to be carefree it's only to camouflage my sadness. In order to keep my pride I try to cover the hurt with a show of gladness.

If some of those people who wanted to ban Beethoven's music could hear the music that's being played today, wow, what would they do, man?

Beethoven was just music, and it didn't matter if he could hear it or not - he could feel it. He could hear it in his mind. He could write it down hearing it in his mind. He was just music. Yeah, he's one of my favorite writers of all times.

I don't like you, but I love you.

I love hearing my music, I love hearing it by other people. I hope it will always be played.

If I hear one of my songs by anybody, it's a dream come true every time for me as a songwriter, because I want to write a song, I want to write a song that the world can sing and will always sing.

Hickory dickory dock, I just want to be your clock. Just set me for a lifetime, and I'll wake you up every morning.

That's what love is made of, snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails, sugar, spice, and everything nice.

So I wanted to sing inspirational music, and that's exactly how I approached it - only the words have been changed to declare my relationship with God.

She may be cute, but she's just a substitute.

Before you ask some girl for her hand now, keep your freedom for as long as you can now. My Mama told me, you better shop around.

Pretty girls come a dime a dozen, try to find one who's gonna give you true loving.

I'm blessed, because I enjoy every part of my life. I enjoy writing songs. I've been trying to write songs since I was five years old.

One thing I can say about the Motown acts is that we were a family. That's not a myth

Put your trust in me, let this love be. This is for real, let time stand still.

A taste of honey is worse than none at all.

I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea to wear in your hair.

With a heart that is truthful, keeping you youthful.

The Beatles were huge. And the first thing they said when you interviewed them, 'Oh yeah, we grew up on Motown.'..They were the first white act to admit they grew up listening to black music.

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day

Mistakes, I know I've made a few. But I'm only human, you've made mistakes, too.

Songwriting is my gift from God

If you feel like loving me, if you've got the notion, I second that emotion.