THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

193-Miracles-The Tracks of My Tears.

1965-It became a hit in the UK when re-issued in 1969, when reaching Number 9.

Best Bit-At 0.01.’Luther croons, Sly’s the original, James screams, Marvin was the only innovator, but nothing can compare when Smokey sings.’

The Miracles were formed in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in 1955, and remained active until 1983. Two of the original founders reformed the group with new members in 1993, and this group were active until 2011, in total there have been 16 band members come and go. The original, and what some would call the classic lineup of the Miracles were William ‘Smokey’ Robinson Jr., Ronald White, (1939-1995) Marv Tarplin, (1941-2011) Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, (1938-2017) Bobby Rogers, (1940-2013) and Claudette Rogers Robinson.

Smokey Robinson, Moore, and White, had been singing together since the age of 11, and would be joined by Claudette Rogers the future wife of Smokey Robinson in 1957, Claudette is the sister of Sonny Rogers, (1939-1995) who was a band member when the Miracles were called ‘The Matadors’ before 1957. Marv Tarplin became a band member in 1958, having impressed Smokey Robinson after auditioning with the ‘Primettes’ (later the Supremes) at Motown Records. The Miracles discography consists of 25 studio Albums released between 1961-1978, and 57 singles issued between 1958-1978. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 30 of their singles have made the top 40, with two of those making Number 1, while in the UK they have achieved seven top 40 hits, with ‘Tears of a Clown’ reaching Number 1 in 1970.

‘The Tracks of My Tears’ was taken from the Miracles ninth overall Album ‘Going to a Go-Go’ from 1965, the first of their Albums credited as ‘Smokey Robinson & the Miracles,’ and was co-written by Smokey Robinson, (see also best songs 1031 and 309) Warren Moore, and Marvin Tarplin. The songs famous intro was written by Tarplin who has stated that the inspiration came from the Harry Belafonte song ‘The Banana Boat Song’ (see also best songs 390.) Smokey Robinson who wrote the songs lyrics has said he was looking in the mirror one day and started thinking,’What if a person would cry so much that you could see the tracks of their tears in their face.’

‘The Tracks of My Tears’ has also been a hit for others. In America Johnny Rivers took his version to Number 10 on Billboard in 1967, while in 1975 the song was covered by Linda Ronstadt who reached Number 25. In the UK, the English Pop duo ‘Go West’ made Number 16 with their cover in 1993.

‘People say I’m the life of the party, ‘Cause I tell a joke or two.Although I might be laughin’ loud and hardy, Deep inside I’m blue. So take a good look at my face, You see my smile looks out of place. If you look closer it’s easy to trace The tracks of my tears.’