Tonight’s song is either going to take you back … way back … else leave you scratching your head and saying, ‘huh?’ Go back, if you can, to 1962. I was eleven … how old were you? In ’62, the Beatles, the Stones, and the Turtles weren’t yet around, and the sound of the day, at least for most of us, was Motown. And there was none better than Smokey Robinson and his Miracles.
Smokey wrote and produced this one that was released in November 1962 under the Motown Tamla label. It zoomed to #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart in the U.S. It has been featured in at least 12 films and a television special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.
Smokey Robinson said he was thinking about Sam Cooke’s Bring it on Home to Me (another great one, in my book) when he got the idea for this song. Cooke’s song finds the singer apologizing to his girl after casting her off, promising to treat her right if she comes back. You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me is the same sentiment but with the roles reversed: the girl mistreats the guy, but he loves her unconditionally. Gender equality, even in the ’60s.
The Beatles recorded this in 1963 and performed it in their last movie, Let It Be. The Beatles were the first big British band to come to America and admit they were influenced by black music. Robinson admired this admission, and felt they helped black artists by covering their songs.
The quality of this video isn’t the best, but hey … it was 1962 … YouTube and digital photography hadn’t even been invented yet. There are more recent versions, but I felt this one had the most authenticity. And now I give you …
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
The Miracles
I don’t like you, but I love you,
Seems that I’m always thinking of you.
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly,
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me, baby,
I don’t want you, but I need you,
Don’t want to kiss you, but I need you.
Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong now,
My love is strong now you really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me, baby,
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me,
Hold me, hold me, hold me.
I want to leave you, don’t want to stay here
Don’t want to spend another day here.
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can’t Baby,
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me,
Hold me, hold me, hold me.
You really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me.
You really got a hold on me.
Songwriters: William Robinson Jr.
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Ah yes. I was twenty-one and still living at home as it was affordable. I have to admit I remember it well. Thanks for the memories, Jill. 🙂 — Suzanne
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My pleasure, Suzanne! The songs just keep popping into my head these days … songs I haven’t thought about for years. ♫
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Funny you should mention two songs in this post. You can hear both of them together at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AcqGIVl51v4 from The Zombies debut album, Begin Here. Their version is nowhere near as good as the originals, but I really like how they bring them together.
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I don’t recall the Zombies … listened to this and … well … no, I’ll stick with the originals if you don’t mind 😉
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Thanks okay, I was just pointing out the combination of the two songs. But She’s Not There, Tell Her No, and Time of the Season? Three great hits, and many more decent songs on their albums.
Which leads me to ask, do you remember Them, Van Morrison’s original group. Gloria, Gonna Dress in Black, Baby Please Don’t Go, Here Comes the Night, and Mystic Eyes.
These are two of British Invasion bands that helped build our generation. I hope they do not get lost in the shuffle. They deserve better…
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Ahhh … yes, there are some songs that just belong together, either for their similarities or contrasts. I remember Gloria best of all, but also Please Don’t Go, and Here Comes the Night … I may well remember the others if I listened to them, as I am terrible at remembering titles, bands or lyrics, but hum a bar or two and I’m there!
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I’m humming. Where are you?
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I’m singing … all the wrong lyrics, but singing along with your humming!
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Another excellent choice!! One of mine! 🎼🎼
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Awesome!
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Another great one, Jill. I loved the Motown sound!!
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So did I … still do! So many greats!
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Fantastic choice Jill. Thank you.
Cwtch
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‘Twas my pleasure! I save doing these posts for the end of the day, just before I go to bed, for the music lightens my spirit and helps remove some of the day’s angst.
Cwtch
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mmmmm, that’s a ‘huh’ from me. ❤
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Didn’t like this one, eh? 😉 Hugs Jack! ❤
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