Artist Name: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Year Inducted: 2023

Details

Category: Legendary Songs

"I Second That Emotion" (S. Robinson, A. Cleveland) - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles; Tamla label, # 4 Billboard Hot 100, # 1 Billboard R&B - 1968. Inducted 2023.

One morning in early 1967, Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland were shopping at Hudson’s, a large Detroit department store. Robinson found a set of pearls for his wife, Claudette. “They’re beautiful,” he said to the salesperson. “I sure hope she likes them.” Cleveland then added, “I second that emotion.” Both songwriters laughed a Cleveland’s malapropism; he had meant to say “I second that motion.” The two were immediately inspired to write a song using the incorrect phrase. 

The Miracles' original version of the song finds lead singer and co-writer Smokey Robinson courting a girl who, weary of the game of love, prefers to string her men along and not get romantically involved. Robinson "wants no part" in such a relationship, but promises that if the girl changes her mind, he'll be around ("If you feel like lovin' me/if you've got the notion/I second that emotion.")

The Miracles’ recording peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in December of 1967. It became the group’s highest charting pop single since “Shop Around” in 1961. Guitarists Eddie Willis and Robert White came up with their own distinctive guitar licks and riffs for this song based on a chord chart given to them by Robinson.

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI_0tQdEA5k